Tuscaloosa staff present plan to annex 57-acre ‘Brixton’ for 144 homes with 19 acres of open space

City planning staff presented a proposal to annex and rezone a 57-acre property known as Brixton, south of the Towns in North River, to a General Plan Development to allow about 144 single-family lots and seven open-space lots.

The petition filed by the developer would average roughly 2.5 dwelling units per acre on the site and dedicate about 19 of the 57 acres to natural open space. Planning staff showed renderings and neighborhood-street sketches and said homes would range from about 1,800 to 3,100 square feet with an expected price point of $500,000 to $850,000. Amenities listed in the petition include dog parks, pickleball courts and passive recreation areas.

Planning staff said the developer seeks annexation into the city and rezoning to a General Plan Development (GPD) because much of the 57 acres is constrained by topography and environmental features. "They are allowed four dwelling units per acre," the planner said during the presentation, noting the proposed density falls below that maximum.

Why it matters: The proposal would add a new neighborhood near existing Towns in North River subdivisions, create a new connection to Old Colony and require changes to Forest Oak Lane that residents and councilors said could affect traffic patterns and neighborhood access.

Details and debate City staff described the project layout, showing a northern portion near Forest Oak Lane, a central area for amenities (including proposed pickleball courts) and a southern portion that would connect to Old Colony. The developer increased standard lot widths from 50 feet to 60 feet and included larger "estate" lots of roughly one-half acre to attract local homebuilders, staff said.

Staff said the development team plans to protect natural open-space areas and to use a homeowners association and design review committee. The presentation said the average density would be roughly 2.5 dwelling units per acre; staff noted the zoning allowance is up to four units per acre.

Councilors and residents pressed staff on access and timing. Several speakers raised concerns about a gated dirt segment of Forest Oak Lane that currently restricts through access from the Towns in North River. One councilor asked that the gate not be removed until construction was complete to avoid interim traffic or safety issues; city staff said the gate removal is tied to bringing Forest Oak Lane to city standards.

Mike, a city staff member, said there is a condition on the recorded plan for the Towns in North River that requires the gate be removed and Forest Oak Lane become an access when the road is brought to city standards. "The opening date of this connection," he said, "will happen when phase 1 is constructed and before the final plat for this first phase of Brixton is recorded." Mike added that the gate does not need to be removed while active construction is under way but would be removed before final plat recordation for the first phase.

Staff gave a rough schedule: staff said they expect construction to begin "probably midsummer," and estimated Phase 1 build-out at about 18 months to two years, provided permitting and financing proceed as planned. Staff also said the developer is pursuing local builders rather than large production home builders, which was the stated reason for increasing lot widths to 60 feet.

Traffic and roadway work for the Old Colony connection were discussed. Staff said the project would create a new intersection on Old Colony with turn lanes in both directions, including a left-turn lane for eastbound traffic and a right-turn deceleration lane for westbound traffic.

Procedural status Planning staff said the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval to the council. No final council vote on annexation or rezoning was recorded in the transcript.

What happens next No final action was taken on the record during the portion of the meeting in the transcript provided. Councilors and staff said detailed engineering, final platting and development phasing would determine exactly when access changes occur and when construction begins.