Emily Featherston
The Vestavia Hills City Council heard the first reads of several resolutions and ordinances at their Monday, Dec. 14 meeting, including one that may result in a new retail development.
The city will consider an ordinance to sell the Public Works property at 1280 Montgomery Highway for $1.2 million.
If approved, the development would be anchored by Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers.
Prior to the meeting, City Manager Jeff Downes said that of the four offers for the property the city considered, Freddy’s family-oriented atmosphere and its parent company BAMA Custard, LLC’s willingness to further develop the site were the deciding factors.
Freddy’s will take up 3,700 square feet of the 10,100 square-foot space, and the remaining space will be divided and leased to other retail businesses, as approved by the city.
The ordinance will go before the council on Dec. 28, and there will be a public hearing.
If the sale of the property is approved, the buyers will be required to apply for the property to be rezoned to B-2, or a General Business District. Currently, it is zoned as Institutional, which does not allow for the property to be used for restaurants and retail.
If the sale and process go smoothly, Downes said he anticipates construction to begin in late 2016.
Other council business included:
- The council approved the purchase of 100 firearms for the Vestavia Hills Police Department.
- The council accepted a negotiated bid and authorized further expenditures for a CWSRF park project at Little Shades Creek.
- The council approved the funding from Special Fund 11 for RMS computer-aided dispatch software through New World.
- Jim Bartlett was appointed to the Vestavia Hills Library Board.
- Earl Lawson was appointed to the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Board.
- The council voted to accept bids for Fire Department dress uniforms, as well as a bid for Nomex fire-resistant uniforms.
The council also heard the first-reads of several ordinances, including:
- An ordinance for conditional use approval for an addition and the housing and raising of six urban hens at 2565 Mountain Woods Drive.
- A resolution allowing the city manager to repair the Wald Park Swimming Pool.
- Four resolutions allowing the City of Vestavia Hills to enter into a multi-jurisdictional project to improve Cahaba River Road.
- An ordinance to allow the mayor and city manager to deliver a sales contract for the purchase of land to be used as an alternate access point to the former Altadena Country Club.
- An ordinance to authorize the operation of transportation network companies in the City of Vestavia Hills.
