Developers ask to continue North River commercial annexation after traffic and lake-runoff concerns

The Planning and Zoning Commission on March 17 continued an annexation and rezoning petition for about 4.99 acres at 6005 New Watermelon Road after residents raised opposition about traffic, lake runoff and neighborhood character and staff requested review time for a traffic report.

The petition would annex 4.99 acres into Tuscaloosa city limits and rezone it from SFR1 to General Commercial (GC) for a multi-tenant commercial development shown in preliminary materials to include a convenience store with fuel, restaurants, a dog‑grooming business and professional offices. The petitioner’s preliminary site plan also shows a separate area labeled for boat storage that the applicant said would remain in county jurisdiction and not be part of the annexation.

Public comment was mixed but predominantly opposed. Allen Weldon (Lexington Downs) and Joseph Van Hest (Lexington Downs) told the commission they opposed another convenience/gas station and fast‑food drive‑through in the corridor and said environmental risks exist from a ravine that drains to Lake Harris. Allen Weldon said prior reviews did not resolve lake‑runoff questions. Resident testimony emphasized a desire to preserve the area’s relative quiet and to avoid increased night‑time traffic associated with a 24/7 convenience store and late-night restaurants.

Developer and supporters: Rick Mayers (developer) and partner Mark Herring said the area lacks local retail and service options and that tenants (cited drawings showed examples such as Dunkin’ and Domino’s) had expressed interest. Mayers said he planned high‑quality finishes and landscaping and that the development would capture convenience spending currently leaving the area.

Traffic and engineering: The petitioner’s traffic consultant, Sentel Engineering, said a traffic study submitted Feb. 12 reported roughly 3,100 vehicles per day on the relevant segment of New Watermelon Road and recommended adding a center turn lane and access improvements. City engineering staff said they had received only one land‑development review and needed additional time to review the traffic study and access scheme; engineers flagged concern about two full‑access intersections within a short distance and said the final land‑development permit would require the city to sign off on the access geometry.

Petitioner’s request and commission action: Given the outstanding technical questions and neighborhood opposition, the petitioner formally requested a continuance to the next monthly meeting to allow time to revise renderings and supply clarified materials (signage, landscaping and finalized traffic plans). The commission granted that continuance.

Why it matters: The annexation would place new commercial property within city boundaries — increasing the city’s sales tax base and bringing the project under city design standards — but residents said that change should not proceed without final engineering showing safe access and clear protections for Lake Harris.

Quote: “I want this to be a high‑quality project,” developer Mark Herring said. “We want the city to guide us through the process.”

Ending: The petition will return to the commission next month after the applicant provides the requested traffic details and revised aesthetic/landscaping plans.