Council Meeting August 25, 2025

Council Meeting August 25, 2025


The council meeting major actions included adopting a $128.5 million budget proposal with funding for a new fire station, fire trucks, stormwater projects, and the Lakeshore/I-65 diverging diamond interchange. Budget hearings will go over this proposal in detail over the next few weeks. Council approving $3 million in incentives for a redesigned Piggly Wiggly expansion, hiring a new audit firm, addressing Edgewood traffic safety, multiple nuisance property hearings, and improvements tied to the Dawson parking deck lease.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/3JvRmZE

  • Details

    030725: This was about the Green Springs Phase II project. The bid opening had just taken place, but since results still need to be reviewed in committee, the council agreed to carry it over until a recommendation is ready, carried over


    180725: The city manager requested approval to sign traffic signal and roadway lighting agreements tied to the Lakeshore and I-65 project. Finance had recommended approval, and the council passed three related resolutions without opposition, approved


    010825: The council considered funding the Lakeshore and I-65 diverging diamond project. Finance recommended approval, and members commented that it had been a long-time priority. The resolution passed, approved


    020825: The proposed 2025–2026 budget was presented. It outlined $128 million in total funds with priorities including a new fire station, major road improvements, stormwater projects, and school funding. Finance recommended accepting the report, and the council did so, approved


    030825: Budget amendments were considered to cover lingering tornado debris removal costs and a few other transfers. Finance had recommended approval, and the council passed it, approved


    150825: A tax incentive agreement with Piggly Wiggly was discussed. Developers changed course from a new store plan to enlarging the existing location, reducing their request from $3.5 million to $3 million. The council held a public hearing and passed the incentive, approved


    160825: The city selected a new auditing agency. Finance recommended Moses, and the council voted to confirm the choice, approved


    340425: Safety issues at Oxmoor and St. Charles were discussed. After input from business owners and city staff, the council approved removing the eastbound center turn lane striping, approved


    040825: Permission was requested to reconstruct a deck and fence on 16th Place South that had been damaged by storm. Public Works supported it with indemnification, and the council passed the resolution, approved


    100725: A public hearing was held for a Southwood Subdivision homeowner requesting a covered porch addition closer to the property line than normally allowed. Neighbors’ support and stormwater review were included. The council approved the amended development plan, approved


    080825: A public nuisance case for property at 405 Woodville Lane was heard. The owner had shown only minimal progress and requested more time. The council agreed to carry it over to September 29, carried over


    090825: A public nuisance case for 509 Broadway Street was considered. With little progress made, the council declared it a nuisance, approved


    100825: A case for 718 Broadway Street was reviewed. The property had been thoroughly cleaned before the hearing, so the council dropped it, dropped


    110825: A case for 228 Hall Avenue was presented. The owner had cleaned the property, and the council dropped the item, dropped


    120825: A case for 3016 Firefighter Lane was reviewed. The property had been cleaned up enough to meet standards, so the council dropped it, dropped


    230825: The council authorized the mayor to sign a grant agreement with Jefferson County to fund paving on West Oxmoor, approved


    240825–300825: Multiple nuisance property hearings were set for September 15 (locations included State Farm Parkway, Make for a Drive, Central Avenue, West Lakeshore Drive, Hanover Road, Carr Avenue, and Forest Park Drive), carried over


    310825: Permission was requested to place a construction dumpster in the City Hall parking lot during a renovation project. The council debated timing and placement but approved it contingent on coordination with other construction, approved


    330825: The council approved a $3,500 contract for an ADA ramp near the Dawson parking deck, approved


    340825: A contract for stairway gating at the Dawson deck was considered to restrict pedestrian access to the top level. Despite concerns about cost, the council approved it, approved


    320825: Approval of vouchers was delayed because the finance chair was absent, but the council approved them contingent on his review later in the week, approved



More

Pre-Council & Council Meetings July 27, 2026

July 28, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - July 27, 2026

Comprehensive Plan

July 24, 2026
Previous Public Meeting Information July 23, 2026 WATCH VIDEO VIEW PRESENTATION May 19, 2026 WATCH VIDEO VIEW PRESENTATION January 28, 2026 WATCH WORKSHOP VIDEO The early results from citizen engagement shows overwhelming satisfaction with quality of life in Homewood, especially when it comes to schools, parks, public safety, and neighborhood character. At the same time, residents made it clear they want to protect what makes Homewood special while continuing to address important challenges like traffic, drainage, sidewalks, infrastructure, and connectivity across the city. Feedback from workshops and surveys will help guide long term planning discussions as Homewood works on a roadmap for the next 25 years. Homewood’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2007. Since then, a lot has changed, and more change is coming. With the city moving to a Council-Manager form of government , this is a key time to clarify what matters most to residents. The plan will help inform capital improvements, public service priorities, housing trends, transportation needs, and future land use. It will also give newly elected officials clear direction on what the community values. Your Voice, Your City Every resident will have a chance to be involved. This isn’t just a document, it’s a shared vision for Homewood’s future, shaped by the people who live here. The plan will reflect the needs of each of the city’s four wards and identify short, medium, and long-term projects for both public and private investment. Whether it's about where new housing fits, what kinds of businesses we want, or how we move around, this process is about making those choices together.

Improving Parking

July 20, 2026
As we work to make the most of public parking, the Homewood Police Department has hired a Parking Enforcement Officer. The goal is to help keep parking spaces available for everyone throughout the day. As a reminder, street parking in Homewood is limited to three hours. Specifically, please be mindful of the two designated ‘Law Enforcement’ parking spaces in front of SoHo Square, which must remain available for police use. There will be a short period where warnings will be issued to help everyone become familiar with the parking requirements before citations begin.

Active Shooter Training

July 15, 2026
You may see a large and very visible police presence around the campus and inside OLS over the next week or so. This is training.  The Homewood Police Department will be conducting active shooter response training on the campus of Our Lady of Sorrows School July 16 and 17 and July 20 through 24, from 9am to 3pm each day. This is part of HPD's annual training and will also include medical trauma treatment and first aid. We wanted to make sure you knew what was happening if you see the activity in the area.

Planning Commission July 14, 2026

July 15, 2026
The Planning Commission reviewed a proposed zoning definition for minor vehicle repair after concerns about vehicle-focused businesses along the Green Springs corridor. Discussion focused on whether the proposed definition was too broad and could affect specialized businesses or existing businesses that may become nonconforming. The commission recommended using a shorter definition focused on routine, low-impact vehicle services and removing the long list of examples. The amended recommendation passed 5 to 1 and now moves to the City Council. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4vQEikP

Scam Alert! Cyber-Criminals Impersonating City Officials

July 15, 2026
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and may use the names of real City officials, employees or information from public meetings to make an email, text message or phone call appear legitimate. A familiar name or email does not mean the message is real. The City of Homewood will NEVER ask you to purchase gift cards, send cryptocurrency or make a personal payment to a City official or employee through an unsolicited email or text message. Cash and check are the only forms of payment currently accepted for Variance, Rezoning, Resurvey, and Development Plan applications. If you receive ANY request involving money, STOP and VERIFY it before responding. Call the City using THIS CONTACT INFO . DO NOT call a phone number included in the suspicious message. You could be calling the scammer back instead of a City official. And if you are still unsure, come see us! Visit City Hall, 4th Floor, and talk directly with our staff. We can help verify any request involving money. You can also verify using these emails: fred.goodwin@homewoodal.org emily.harrismiller@homewoodal.org If you are directed by City staff to send in your payemnt, use this information:  Attn: Department of Engineering and Zoning City of Homewood 2850 19th Street South, Fourth Floor Homewood, AL 35209

31 Tunnel - A Little History

July 14, 2026
The U.S. Highway 31 pedestrian tunnel is temporarily closed while it undergoes a major renovation. While crews are at work over the next few months, we thought it would be a good time to look back at the history of Homewood's longest-serving pedestrian connection. For more than 70 years, the tunnel has provided generations of Homewood families with a safe passage beneath a busy roadway. The tunnel was constructed in 1954 after widening of U.S. Highway 31, then known as Montgomery Highway. At the time, many students who attended Shades Cahaba Elementary lived on the west side of 31. Rather than requiring hundreds of children to cross a rapidly expanding highway at street level, community leaders pushed for a pedestrian underpass. To help make room for the tunnel's west entrance, Hill Food Store, the predecessor to today's Piggly Wiggly, provided a portion of its parking lot.

Pre-Council & Council Meetings July 13, 2026

July 14, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - July 13, 2026

BZA Meeting July 9, 2026

July 10, 2026
The Board of Zoning Adjustments approved a variance for a family to build a therapeutic pool on Gran Ave. The variance allows a 105-square-foot increase in impervious surfacing. The applicant demonstrated the project would remain within the city's maximum allowable impervious surface coverage, at approximately 44.6%, while providing enough space for aquatic therapy for their son with cerebral palsy. The board denied a requested variance for a proposed condominium development on Courtney Drive after nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, alley access, and neighborhood impacts, while approving two separate requests for second story home additions on Ardsley Place and Peerless Avenue. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3SCceD3

US 31 Tunnel Closing

July 6, 2026
Beginning Monday, July 6, the U.S. 31 pedestrian tunnel near Piggly Wiggly will be closed on both ends as construction begins on a major renovation project. Construction is expected to take a few months to work on new landscaping, lighting, and other upgrades designed to create a safer and more welcoming connection for everyone walking through the area.
More Posts