Pre-Council & Council Meetings July 27, 2026

Pre-Council Meeting - July 27, 2026

City leaders reviewed a proposed ordinance that would define minor vehicle repair businesses, talked about restricting EV charging stations under occupied buildings because of fire safety concerns, and received an update on Homewood's new on demand microtransit service, which has already provided nearly 300 rides since launching July 1. They also discussed an $83,500 budget transfer for HVAC replacements and plumbing repairs at the Community Center,


Agenda: https://bit.ly/4yFptmW

  • Details

    Waterworks Account Payment; Council received an update that the long-outstanding Birmingham Water Works bill connected to construction of the Homewood Police Department has been verified and will be paid using existing budget funds, eliminating the need for a budget transfer. Officials said the issue resulted from the account remaining in a contractor's name and was the water works responsibility to change, but never did. Discussion Only.


    Homewood Center Property Rezoning Cleanup; Council reviewed a zoning cleanup for a small portion of property near the Homewood Center that was intended to be rezoned years ago but was never officially changed. The correction simply aligns the remaining strip with the surrounding zoning and does not change the property's current use. Added to the Council Meeting.


    Public Nuisance Properties; Council scheduled public hearings for three properties with excessive overgrowth so they can be considered public nuisances. Added to the Council Meeting.


    Surplus Information Technology Equipment; Council reviewed a request to declare outdated computers, monitors, laptops, and other technology equipment as surplus. Added to the Council Meeting.


    Minor Vehicle Repair Zoning Definition; Council reviewed the Planning Commission's positive recommendation for a shorter, more general definition of "minor vehicle repair" after discussion that a detailed list of services could unintentionally exclude similar businesses. Officials explained the revised wording is intended to provide flexibility while still meeting the council's original goal. Added to the Council Meeting.


    Grant Support Letters for Nonprofits; Council discussed allowing the city manager to sign letters supporting grant applications for nonprofit organizations that currently receive city funding. Carried Over.


    Parks Budget Transfer; Council reviewed an $83,500 budget transfer to replace two failing air conditioning units at the Community Center and repair plumbing in the women's locker room. Added to the Council Meeting.


    Electric Vehicle Charging Stations; Fire Chief Brandon Broadhead asked the council to begin considering limits on installing EV charging stations beneath occupied buildings because current firefighting methods are not effective for battery fires in enclosed parking structures. He emphasized the proposal is aimed at charger locations and has nothing to do with electric vehicles or other charging stations that would not be in these locations. This would go through the Planning Commission and include public hearings. Discussion Only.


    Microtransit Program Update; Representatives from the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority reported that Homewood's on-demand microtransit service has completed nearly 300 rides since launching on July 1 and continues to gain users through community outreach. Discussion Only.


    Budget Ordinance Update; Council received advance notice from City Attorney Keith Jackson that the city's budget ordinance will be updated to reflect Homewood's new council-manager form of government. Discussion Only.

Council Meeting - July 27, 2026

The council approved updates to the city's traffic calming policy, and adopted new public records request procedures aimed at limiting large-scale data mining while keeping records accessible. The council also approved traffic improvements at the Rumson Road and Yorkshire Drive intersection, carried forward proposed changes for compact car parking and a one way conversion on 29th Court South, and approved budget transfers for HVAC and plumbing repairs.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/4fzhDCu

  • Details

    Property Rezoning on 25th Court South; Council scheduled a public hearing to consider rezoning part of 1830 25th Court South from institutional zoning to a Neighborhood Preservation District so the property zoning matches the surrounding neighborhood. Added to the Council Meeting.


    Woodvale Lane Public Nuisance; Council heard from the property owner regarding excessive overgrowth. After discussion, council agreed to give the owner two more weeks to clean the property before considering a public nuisance declaration if the work is not completed. Carried Over.


    Forest Brook Drive Public Nuisance; Council scheduled a public hearing to consider declaring the property at 1045 Forest Brook Drive a public nuisance because of excessive overgrowth. Added to the Council Meeting.


    Shades Creek Parkway Public Nuisance; Council scheduled a public hearing to consider declaring the property at 608 Shades Creek Parkway a public nuisance because of excessive overgrowth. Added to the Council Meeting.


    Barry Road Public Nuisance; Council scheduled a public hearing to consider declaring the property at 1580 Barry Road a public nuisance because of excessive overgrowth. Added to the Council Meeting.


    Rumson Road and Yorkshire Drive Traffic Control; Council approved installing yield signs and pavement markings at the intersection to improve safety and better define right-of-way for drivers. Approved.


    Compact Parking Definition; Council reviewed an ordinance updating the definition of a compact vehicle so compact parking spaces can be enforced more consistently based on vehicle size instead of how a vehicle is parked. The ordinance will return for a final vote at the next meeting. Carried Over.


    29th Court South One-Way Conversion; Council introduced an ordinance to convert 29th Court South to one-way traffic to improve traffic flow and safety. The proposal will return for a vote at the next meeting. Carried Over.


    Overton Drive Alley Tree Removal; Council postponed a request to allow private removal of a large pine tree in the public right-of-way behind 3107 Overton Drive so staff can further evaluate the property. Carried Over.


    Safe and Healthy Homewood Funding; Council approved using Alabama opioid settlement funds to continue funding Safe and Healthy Homewood through September 2026. Officials emphasized the funding comes from the opioid settlement and supports substance misuse prevention and education programs rather than the city's general budget. Approved.


    Poinciana Drive Retaining Wall; Council approved allowing a retaining wall at 419 Pionciana Drive to remain within the public right-of-way, provided the property owner signs an indemnification agreement. Approved.


    Traffic Calming Policy Update; Council approved revisions to the city's traffic calming policy to create a clearer review process, improve transparency, and establish updated procedures for evaluating neighborhood requests. Discussion also included the use of removable rubber speed cushions and the overall timeline for future projects. Approved.


    Public Records Request Policy; Council approved revisions to the city's public records request procedures to improve efficiency, clarify the process, and address large commercial data requests while maintaining access for residents.  Approved.


    City Vouchers; Council approved payment of vouchers covering expenditures from July 14 through July 27, 2026. Approved.


    Budget Transfer; Council approved transferring budget funds to replace air conditioning units and repair plumbing issues. Approved.

More

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.

On-Demand Rides Now Available in Homewood

July 2, 2026
Microtransit is now available for Homewood residents, adding an on-demand option to move around our city from the Birmingham Transit Authority (BJCTA). It works just like ride sharing whereby riders will be able to request a trip through an app and get picked up nearby, with routes designed in real time to keep trips efficient and wait times low. The service provides point-to-point transportation anywhere within the city limits for just $1.50 per trip. For more details, GO HERE. How this pilot program is being funded?  The initial phase, running from July 2026 through September 2027, is fully funded through the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham , at about $792,000. This allows the city to launch the service without immediate long-term cost commitments. After that, projected annual costs are expected to be around $610,000 to $630,000, depending on how the service is adjusted according to our needs. This pilot approach gives Homewood time to see how people actually use the system, where demand is strongest, and how the service can be refined. It also keeps flexibility built in, with the ability to adjust hours, coverage, and fleet size based on real data. You can VIEW THE PRESENTATION presented to the Council on April 13, 2026.
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