Cahaba Heights community raises concerns over proposed new townhome development

VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (WIAT) – Vestavia Hills’ Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a rezoning request for a townhouse development in Cahaba Heights, despite concerns from community members. They’re worried the development will affect traffic, safety and density in the area.

Developers are proposing 59 townhomes be built on an undeveloped area of land by Bellwood Drive and Autumn Lane. A traffic study done by the city estimates these 59 units would generate about 389 daily trips.

“Cahaba Heights cannot handle any more traffic. Period,” said one concerned community member. “There are cut through streets now. Some child is going to get hit.”

It was a packed room Thursday night as many Cahaba Heights community members expressed their opposition to a new townhome development.

“It’s important, I think, that if Vestavia wants to continue to develop Cahaba Heights and bring new residents in, you’ve got to spend the money on infrastructure,” Vestavia Hills resident Rich Melville said. “What they’ve done so far in the 20 years since annexation, no meaningful changes or improvements have been made to roads or sidewalks.”

One of the project developers is Taylor Burton, who lives in Vestavia Hills. He says part of this townhome development would include widening the road and adding sidewalks on their portion of the property.

“We’ve done a lot of townhomes in our career, and every time we do them in this type area, it’s a successful market. People feel safe there, people enjoy living there, we sell townhomes to a lot of single people, a lot of people out of college, a lot of people working downtown,” Burton said. “They’re very convenient to downtown. They’re very convenient to shopping and everything at Cahaba Heights. Hopefully, it uplifts the business and uplifts the community, and that’s our goal.”

People who live in Cahaba Heights told the commission they’re not against developing the area and growing, but they feel the negatives outweigh the positives in this case.

“I’m opposed to this whole development. I could realistically see 20, maybe 30 at the most, but we’re lucky if they’re going to sell,” said one man who lives by the proposed site.

“Can you not put eight homes on four lots? Or ask them to change the zoning to put 10 homes on 4 lots that can sell for a million dollars?” asked the concerned community member.

“I’d love to build 10 million-dollar homes there, that’s what I thrive on. That’s what makes me have fun is doing that. There’s just no market for it. There’s just no sellable market for it in that area,” said Burton. “And I say in that area, commercial on one side, commercial on the bottom side, density on one side and then residential in the back.”

The rezoning request will now go before the Vestavia Hills city council. It is slated to be on the agenda November 17.