Birmingham Neighborhood Rejects Residential Development Plans
Birmingham residents gathered at Hope Community Church Thursday evening, where they voiced strong opposition to a proposed residential rental development. The meeting, held by the Crestline Park neighborhood association, saw approximately 150 attendees express their concerns, leading to significant developments regarding the project.
Developer Withdraws Rezoning Application
David Silverstein’s The FiveStone Group officially withdrew its application to the city for zoning changes needed to proceed with the Crestline Park Cottages project. This decision came during the community meeting, where a vote by the residents on the rezoning proposal was anticipated. The property under consideration is approximately 3.5 to 4 acres, currently zoned as an R-3 single-family district.
After an animated discussion that brought a range of concerns to the fore, Silverstein announced that he was verbally withdrawing the rezoning application. This decision prevented the scheduled vote, emphasizing the need for further dialogue with the community.
Plans for the Development
The original proposal included the construction of 55 residential units that would feature a mix of cottage-style homes and townhomes. The blueprints showcased four one-bedroom cottage units, ten two-bedroom cottage units, thirty-four two-bedroom townhomes, and seven three-bedroom townhouse units. To accommodate residents, the plans allocated 97 on-site parking spaces and an additional 33 off-site parking spaces intended for use by the nearby Crestline Park Shopping Center.
During their presentation, Silverstein and his team detailed that rental prices would likely fall within the range of $2.40 to $2.60 per square foot. However, residents quickly expressed their apprehensions regarding the density, as many felt the proposal to build 55 units on the relatively small parcel was excessive.
Community Response
Apryl Marie Fogel, a Crestline Park resident, articulated the sentiments of many in attendance, stating that she intends to bring more residents to future meetings to voice their opposition. The prevailing concern among the community members was the project’s density, which some felt would alter the neighborhood’s character.
In response to the gathered crowd, Silverstein indicated that he remains open to discussions and may consider reducing the project’s density to address the residents’ concerns. “A withdrawal is not saying a project is not happening,” said Silverstein Jr., adding that it reflects an opportunity for negotiation and compromise.
Next Steps for The FiveStone Group
As a veteran in the development sector, having previously led various projects such as the Summit, Pizitz, and Cahaba Village, Silverstein possesses experience in navigating complex neighborhood negotiations. Following the meeting, he and other members of FiveStone expressed their commitment to engage with the neighborhood association officers to discuss possible amendments to the initial plans, focusing on noise issues and water drainage concerns raised by residents.
The FiveStone Group intends to reapply for rezoning once the adjustments to the development plan have been made. For now, the landscape of the Crestline Park neighborhood remains unchanged as residents await the developer’s next move.
Conclusion
The meeting underscored the importance of community engagement in development projects and highlighted the challenges developers face in addressing the concerns of local residents. As discussions unfold, all eyes will be on Birmingham’s Crestline Park area to see how this situation develops and what compromises may emerge in the future.
