Committee approves survey request to study Cobb Street right-turn lane at Oxmoor

At the Homewood City Public Works Committee meeting on May 19, 2025, committee members approved a motion to request a budget amendment to pay for a topographic/right-of-way survey to study installation of a right-turn lane at the north end of Cobb Street at the intersection with Oxmoor.

Councilor Sims moved to send a finance request for the survey and Councilor Gere seconded; the motion passed by voice vote with the committee recording the result as 4-0 in favor. Committee members said the survey would give staff a clear scope for budgeting and would speed project delivery if the city decides to include the lane in the next budget cycle.

Randy (public works) and other staff described the traffic concern: backups at the intersection and new adjacent development (restaurants and apartments). Randy reported the city has roughly 12 feet of right of way in the area and that adding approximately 6 feet could allow a dedicated right-turn lane. Committee members debated whether to fund the survey now or wait for the next budget cycle; proponents said completing the survey now would let the city act more quickly when budgeting and constructing the lane.

Councilor Almond said he preferred to complete the survey now to avoid waiting until October for budgeting, and Councilor Sims made the motion to send the survey request to the finance board. Staff said the survey would typically be contracted and that the committee's vote would forward the request for consideration at the finance board's June meeting.

The committee approved the motion and directed staff to prepare a contract for the surveying work and forward the finance request; no construction contract or installation was authorized at the meeting.