Amended master plan, new pool location in The Village Highland Lakes approved

Eddleman Residential received approval tonight to amend its master plan for Phase 3 of The Village at Highland Lakes.

The request included moving four lots to the north side of Phase 3, adding three additional lots and placing the pool and cabana in place of the four relocated lots. A similar request was on the planning commission’s agenda in February.

That request, which would have placed the pool in an area formerly designated as a green space, was met with pushback from residents, said engineer Scott Vaughn, which is why it was withdrawn.

The four relocated lots will be placed on a new cul-de-sac, along with the three new lots. This requires a road extension, Vaughn said, which led to the need for the extra lots.

“The three additional lots really helps pay for that road extension and that cul-de-sac,” said Vaughn, with Arrington Engineering on behalf of Doug Eddleman.

Commissioner Samuetta Nesbitt asked Vaughn if homeowners had been consulted on the new pool location, at which time Wayne Standifer, project manager for Eddleman, came forward.

Standifer told the commission that they spoke with residents about the first proposed location, at which time some residents said they were excited for a new pool but did not like the proposed location. The new location is in a currently undeveloped part of The Village at Highland Lakes, and Standifer said some homeowners he spoke with expressed support for the new pool and location.

Resident Ashley Meadows said she was excited to have a second pool, and she was glad for the new location. She said other residents also seemed to be excited for the pool.

While there was no one present to speak in opposition to the case, Fowler Lake Estates resident Tom Jury brought a few questions before the commission. Because the development could affect the watershed and runoff into Fowler Lake, he asked about plans for drainage, whether trees would be clear cut or left and a presence of a detention pond.

Vaughn said he planned a detention pond that would minimize drainage into Fowler Lake. He also said they would clear-cut lots for the homes, but trees outside of those necessary areas would be left standing.

Doug Eddleman also come up to address Jury’s concern about limiting access to the lake in Fowler Lake Estates. After several minutes discussing the current park areas in The Village at Highland Lakes and how a pool might affect the numbers of kids wandering over to Fowler Lake, they decided to continue conversations about signs or other notifications after the meeting.

The planning commission voted to approve the request 6-0, with Commissioner Bob Land abstaining from the vote.

Also at the meeting, the planning commission voted to continue a case to June 4. Parade Home Builders requested for a 12-acre property on Cahaba Valley Road to be rezoned from A-1 agricultural district to E-2 single family estate district for the development of single family homes, according to the agenda.

After speaking with staff, the applicants asked to continue the case to allow more time to evaluate the flood plain on the lot, said principal planner Kristine Goddard.

Goddard also said they received several phone calls and a letter from surrounding neighborhoods regarding the request. She also told the commission that if the continuance was approved, there would be no additional mailings to surrounding property owners.

The planning commission voted to approve the continuance, and the case will come back before the commission on June 4.

Prior to adjourning the meeting, the planning commission also discussed its upcoming April 16 meeting. At the meeting, the planning commission will discuss the rezoning of 195 acres off of Highway 25 West. The request previously came before the commission at its Dec. 4 meeting, and the request was denied.

The planning review board remanded the case back to the planning commission, Senior Planner Sharman Brooks said. At the April 16 meeting, the planning commission will have an amended staff report, an amended request to consider and more detailed information about the lot in question.

Prior to the April 16 meeting, the planning commission will have a 30-minute work session. The work session will start at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting will start at 6 p.m.