Homewood neighbors concerned with lack of transparency over development near Samford University

MOMENTS. CHARI. ALL RIGHT. JASON. WELL, THERE’S MIXED REACTION TO MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS PROPOSED NEAR SAMFORD UNIVERSITY IN HOMEWOOD. THE CREEKSIDE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WOULD MAKE TWO PROPERTIES A MIXED USE SPACE. BUT AS �� 13. ERIN LLEWELLYN REPORTS, SOME AREN’T READY TO JUMP ON BOARD WITH THE PLAN JUST YET. A LENGTHY MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT, FULL OF CONCERNS FROM HOMEWOOD RESIDENTS. IT SOUNDS TO ME THAT THAT IT APPEARS TO ME THAT IT IT IS CLOSER TO FINAL THAN IT IS TO THE STARTING POINT. THE CREEKSIDE DEVELOPMENT, ALONG WITH SAMFORD UNIVERSITY, IS WORKING TO GET SUPPORT FROM THE HOMEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION. A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COUNCIL JUST SAY, OH, IT WENT THROUGH THE BCA WILL APPROVE IT. IN A WAY THEY GO, AND I KNOW IT’S GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE MAYBE A PUBLIC HEARING GOING FORWARD. THE DEVELOPMENT WOULD BRING A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, MIXED USE SPACES, UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED HOUSING AND RECREATIONAL AREAS ALL ALONG LAKESHORE DRIVE, JUST ACROSS THE STREET FROM CAMPUS. THIS IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS IS GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY. AS FAR AS TAX REVENUE, JOB CREATION. THIS IS GOOD FOR RESIDENTS AND ULTIMATELY THIS IS GOOD FOR THE FUTURE OF HOMEWOOD. OTHER RESIDENTS FEEL THE DEVELOPMENT COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE COMMUNITY IF THE PLAN ISN’T CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT. WHY PUSH TO GET THE ZONING FIXED BEFORE THERE IS A FIRMER SITE PLAN AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE GENERAL IMPACT, BOTH ON THE WATERSHED, ON THE ENVIRONMENT, ON THE HIGH SCHOOL, ON THE TRAFFIC. RESIDENTS FEEL THOSE CONCERNS STEM FROM A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER AND LIMITED PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO RAISE THEIR VOICES. I’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CITY OF HOMEWOOD A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS OVER THE YEARS, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HEARD ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY. AND I THINK THERE’S A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT HERE THAT FEEL THE SAME WAY. SUPPORTERS OF THE DEVELOPMENT ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND. I THINK THE DEVELOPERS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB IN ADDRESSING EVERYONE’S CONCERNS AND LETTING EVERYONE KNOW THAT, HEY, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. TO FURTHER DISCUSSION AND FURTHER WORK TO, FOR US AS A COMMUNITY, TO COME TOGETHER, ENGAGE ONE ANOTHER AND CONTINUE TO GROW.

A mixed reaction was the response to a proposed development in Homewood. Concerns ranging from the environment to lack of transparency from the developer drove the conversation at a lengthy meeting Tuesday night.Homewood planning officials said they support the Creekside Development along Lakeshore Drive, but at last night's meeting, some community members asked for more public hearings and time to flesh out the plan.The development is a partnership between developers and Samford University. It would bring a pedestrian bridge, mixed-use spaces, university-affiliated housing and recreational areas just across the street from campus.During Tuesday’s meeting, residents expressed their concerns.“Why push to get the zoning fixed before there is a firmer site plan and understanding of the general impact both on the watershed, on the environment, on the high school, on the traffic?�� Homewood resident Hannah Wilson asked the planning commission.Some feel the developer wasn't transparent with them before pushing the zoning committee to make a decision.“I'm quite convinced that given the time—given the depth—we can be in a position to make everybody feel like this is something that makes sense,�� Colin Coyne with Samford University said. “Because at the end of the day, our academic mission, our faith mission, our commitment to community—that's what Samford's going to stand for.”The zoning commission will meet again on April 1 to revisit the development. Then, the commission will vote to make a recommendation to the city council to give the development the green light.

HOMEWOOD, Ala. —

Homewood planning officials said they support the Creekside Development along Lakeshore Drive, but at last night's meeting, some community members asked for more public hearings and time to flesh out the plan.

The development is a partnership between developers and Samford University. It would bring a pedestrian bridge, mixed-use spaces, university-affiliated housing and recreational areas just across the street from campus.

During Tuesday’s meeting, residents expressed their concerns.

“Why push to get the zoning fixed before there is a firmer site plan and understanding of the general impact both on the watershed, on the environment, on the high school, on the traffic?�� Homewood resident Hannah Wilson asked the planning commission.

Some feel the developer wasn't transparent with them before pushing the zoning committee to make a decision.

“I'm quite convinced that given the time—given the depth—we can be in a position to make everybody feel like this is something that makes sense,�� Colin Coyne with Samford University said. “Because at the end of the day, our academic mission, our faith mission, our commitment to community—that's what Samford's going to stand for.��

The zoning commission will meet again on April 1 to revisit the development. Then, the commission will vote to make a recommendation to the city council to give the development the green light.

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Homewood neighbors concerned with lack of transparency over development near Samford University

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