Jefferson County planning commission adopts Forward Together comprehensive plan, recommends zoning changes

The Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission on a unanimous vote adopted the Forward Together comprehensive plan and recommended the proposed zoning ordinance amendments to the Jefferson County Commission after a multi-part presentation by county planning staff and public comment.

The plan, presented by Director Johnson of the Department of Development Services, sets a new future land use map and zoning framework for unincorporated Jefferson County intended to guide development, encourage medium-density workforce housing and protect natural, rural and recreational areas. Johnson described the package as “a product of public involvement” that pairs a future land use map with a context-sensitive zoning ordinance and updated design standards.

The plan matters because it establishes county-wide place types and implementation steps that will affect how and where housing, commercial centers and industry can locate in unincorporated areas for the next decade and beyond. The commission’s recommendation forwards the documents to the Jefferson County Commission, which has final approval authority for the zoning ordinance.

Key proposals presented by staff include adding a mixed-residential category for “missing middle” housing (cottage courts, townhomes, low-rise multiplexes), directing medium-density proposals to a PUD review for higher design standards, an Agricultural Preservation District to protect farmlands, and provisions to preserve the planned alignment of the Northern Belt Line and to require traffic impact analysis for substantial upzonings. Johnson said the plan seeks to concentrate activity centers near interchanges and existing employment hubs such as the UAB West area to increase site-readiness for industrial and employment growth.

During public comment, resident Marshall Killingsworth, who said he has lived in his McCullough-area home for 42 years, urged greater transparency about how citizen input was used and asked the county to present survey results back to affected neighborhoods. Killingsworth raised concerns about a proposed hyperscale data center near his community — describing it as “massive” and noting published figures referenced during his remarks: 18 buildings of roughly 250,000 square feet each (about 4.5 million square feet total) and a reported potential water demand he said could be “possibly 6,000,000 gallons a day.” He also raised local infrastructure problems including long-running inoperable fire hydrants and limited sewer service in parts of West Jefferson County.

Director Johnson responded that the department had distributed the draft plan and appendices, including survey results, by email and county social channels to respondents who provided contact information, saying, “we also sent out an email blast... with the draft and the comprehensive plan.” The commission’s principal planner (position title stated in the meeting) told the public the comprehensive plan was prepared at a macro level and that the department intends to follow with neighborhood-scale plans and targeted community engagement for places such as Forestdale and McCullough.

The commission voted to adopt the comprehensive plan and then separately voted to recommend the zoning ordinance amendments to the Jefferson County Commission. No recorded roll-call vote totals were provided in the hearing record; the meeting transcript shows the chair called for voice votes and the chair announced the motions carried.

The planning director and principal planner said next steps will include follow-up, neighborhood-level engagement and the county commission review for zoning amendments. Residents who requested further outreach were told to contact their county commissioner and development services staff for more information and for neighborhood presentations.

The commission noted federal fair housing obligations and said the new rules aim to support walkability, protect environmentally sensitive areas, and increase housing choices in locations with sewer and transportation access. The zoning ordinance and the comprehensive plan materials will now proceed to the Jefferson County Commission for formal consideration of the recommended zoning changes.