Emily Featherston
The Planning and Zoning Commission met Thursday night to discuss multiple rezoning requests, including one to rezone several lots on Crosshaven Drive from residential R-1 to commercial mixed-use B-1.2.
The owners of the six properties intend to sell the properties to Jamie Pursell, who intends to combine the lots and build a multi-faceted development.
Pursell is the owner and operator of the Summit Boulevard Leaf & Petal garden shop, and wants to not only move his business to a larger location, but combine it with a bagel shop and dinner-based restaurant for a larger development.
Around 50 residents attended the meeting, and Pursell began his presentation to the commission by stating that he was aware of the community's concern. He said that he has met with several would-be neighbors of the proposed development and discussed their concerns at length.
Pursell said his vision was to create a "third place," somewhere outside of work or the home that the community can spend time and catch up with their neighbors.
“I really do believe that this is going to be a great thing for the community,” he said.
During the public hearing, several residents voiced concerns about traffic congestion, water drainage, noise and trash.
City Engineer Christopher Brady said that the city has conducted a traffic study, and that the levels caused by the three businesses would not cause a major-enough increase to warrant any change to the current traffic patterns.
Brady did acknowledge that Crosshaven has almost reached capacity, and that the city may widen it to three lanes in the future, but that Pursell's proposal would not be affected by this change.
Pursell said that he thinks that the development will help push Cahaba Heights in the direction of smart, local development that will be beneficial for everyone.
“I really do believe that this is going to be a great thing for the community,” he said.
The commission voted in favor of the rezoning request, and the issue was sent out with a favorable recommendation. The Vestavia Hills City Council will discuss and ultimately decide whether or not the rezoning takes place at a future meeting.
