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Homewood council adopts ordinance to add speed tables on western Oxmoor Road after resident pleas
Summary
Homewood City Council voted 10-0 to approve an ordinance installing traffic-calming measures (speed tables) on the western end of Oxmoor Road following resident testimony about speeding and safety; fire and public-safety staff worked with engineers to design cushions that allow emergency vehicles to pass.
The Homewood City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on July 14 to install traffic-calming measures on the western end of Oxmoor Road near Northmore Drive and Oakmore Drive after multiple residents described persistent speeding and dangerous crossings.
Residents described frequent cut-through traffic, fast-moving vehicles, and safety concerns for children walking to Hall-Kent Elementary School and for people using nearby restaurants and parks. “Imagine holding your kid's hand at a crosswalk, and someone goes blasting by at 35 miles an hour,” resident Paul Wiggott said during the public hearing.
Technical details and safety considerations: Chief Broadhead of the fire department said the department generally opposes speed bumps but supported the proposed speed tables (often called speed cushions) here because their design allows large emergency vehicles to straddle the center cushion. He noted the city’s posted speed limit is 25 mph and that the placement and design are intended to minimize response-time impacts. The chief described a plan that would use three cushions across the travel lanes so emergency vehicles could use the gap if necessary.
Engineering and materials: Staff said the measures could be constructed of asphalt or concrete at the engineering department’s discretion and noted a planned repaving by Birmingham (referenced by staff) would allow installation at the time of resurfacing.
Public input and email evidence: Multiple nearby residents spoke in favor: Beverly Bryce LaBeouf (617 Edgemoor Drive), who described children crossing Oxmoor; Ryan Melvin and Dane Alexander (566 Edginal Lane), who described daily hazards; Rob Shaw (Edgcrest Circle); and Fuad Khalil (124 Oxmoor). The council also entered into the record an emailed comment from William Elkins of 513 Edgecrest Drive that supported speed tables and cited recent growth and traffic increases.
Council action: Councilor Woolverton moved to approve the ordinance and Councilor Aleman seconded. The council adopted the ordinance by a unanimous 10-0 roll-call vote. The ordinance was recorded in the meeting as ordinance 29 43 (passed 10–0).
Why it matters: Residents stressed that West Homewood includes an islanded neighborhood with many children and few parallel east–west routes; councilors said growth and new businesses have increased traffic, raising the risk to pedestrians and bicyclists. Several speakers noted prior measures such as added crosswalks had not fully resolved safety concerns.
Ending: The council instructed the city engineer to install the traffic-calming measures as described in the ordinance. No litigation or appeals were reported during the meeting; implementation timing will depend on engineering schedules and planned repaving work.
