Map courtesy of city of Chelsea
HighPointe Properties is seeking to rezone 28 acres along U.S. 280 next to Forest Parks for 20 new homes.
The Chelsea Planning Commission on Wednesday voted to recommend the City Council rezone 28 acres along U.S. 280 for a new subdivision with 20 homes.
HighPointe Properties is asking the city to rezone 20 acres between U.S. 280 and the Forest Parks community from an agricultural-residential district, which requires lots be at least 10 acres, to an R-1 single-family residential district, which allows for lots down to 20,000 square feet.
The request initially was heard by the Planning Commission in April but was tabled after Forest Parks residents expressed concerns about traffic, noise, road damage and decreased property values. The developer met with residents to address their concerns and reached an agreement with the Forest Parks homeowners association.
As a result of that meeting, the Planning Commission recommended the rezoning approval upon certain conditions, including:
- There can be no more than 20 lots on the 28 acres.
- Lots must be at least .8 acres each and 125 feet wide.
- Lots could not be further subdivided.
- The developer must put up a $15,000 bond to cover road damage during construction.
- There must be a 30-foot undisturbed buffer adjoining existing houses.
- The developer cannot blast on the property, instead using only rock hammers.
Additional guidelines were specific to the neighborhood’s covenants and restrictions.
Nearby residents also had concerns about traffic and congestion.
“That entrance on 280 is a dangerous entrance,” Mayor Cody Sumners said. “You don’t have a good sight line, and there’s been some bad wrecks there, and the issue with traffic was whether or not you want to add additional vehicles, trying to get out on 280 there especially during the morning and afternoon traffic. It’s a dangerous intersection.”
The homeowners association did not come to any agreement with the developer about the traffic concerns, Sumners said. Issues related to the intersection of Essex Drive and U.S. 280 would require intervention by the Alabama Department of Transportation because the state controls what happens on U.S. 280, he said.
The next step for the development is a public hearing and a vote with the Chelsea City Council. That public hearing should be scheduled within the next 30 to 60 days, Sumners said.
The Planning Commission also on Wednesday voted to recommend the council rezone 17 acres along Brasher Lane and U.S. 280 from an agricultural-residential zone to a B-2 business district.
The proposed concept is a multi-tenant commercial property.
“You could have a gas station, a restaurant, any type of commercial that’s allowed in our zoning,” Sumners said. “There’s a couple of houses at the end of the road, so it really doesn’t impact a whole lot of residential area. It’s one of those things where it’s right there on 280, so I think a lot of people probably expect it to be commercial anyway.”
That request also goes to the City Council for its consideration.
The Planning Commission also on Wednesday heard a request to rezone property at 397 Meadow Lake Lane from an E-1 estate district to an R-2 single-family residential district to allow for the property to be divided from one lot into two lots. No action was taken in regard to that rezoning request.
