The Homewood City Council approved an amended final development plan for Samford University on July 28, allowing construction of a 220-bed residence hall with 70 parking stalls beneath the building adjacent to the university’s football stadium.
The action amends the institution’s final development plan for property at 800 Lakeshore Drive. The council voted 7-0 to adopt the ordinance (Ordinance 29-46) after a public hearing and a first reading.
The university’s representative, Jeff Polashek, told the council the project is part of the “Bulldog District” and that the single building before the council would provide “220 bed spaces with 70 parking stalls beneath it, right next to our football stadium.” He also said the university is opening a nearly 600-space parking deck this fall and that campus parking and residential capacity are managed semester by semester.
Planning staff and the planning commission referred the item to the council; the Planning and Development committee had previously referred it to the full council without recommendation pending the public hearing (committee vote 5-0). The ordinance states the final development plan attached to the council packet will control uses and restrictions for the described portion of the campus.
There was no public opposition at the hearing. Councilors voted unanimously to give the ordinance first reading, grant unanimous consent and adopt it in final form. The ordinance will take effect upon passage and mayoral approval or as otherwise provided by law.
The item was introduced as a city-land-use matter from the planning commission and Landmark Development Services Company, LLC as co‑applicant with Samford University.
More detailed design documents and timelines for construction were not specified during the July 28 hearing.