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Committee sets June public hearing on zoning amendment to allow drive-throughs at Wildwood Center
Summary
The Planning and Development Committee voted 5-0 to set a June public hearing on an amendment to Article 4 of Homewood’s zoning ordinance to permit food-and-beverage drive-throughs in the PMU-D district at Wildwood Center only; the Planning Commission previously recommended the change, 9-0.
The Planning and Development Committee on April 21 voted to set a public hearing for June 9 on an amendment to Article 4 of the City of Homewood zoning ordinance that would allow food-and-beverage drive-through facilities in the PMU-D zoning category, restricted to Wildwood Center.
Why it matters: The amendment would add a restricted allowance for drive-throughs in PMU-D only at Wildwood Center; supporters said the change clarifies an existing gap between how "fast-food" and "drive-through" uses are treated in the code and aims to allow limited drive-through uses in a specific mixed-use area.
Details from the meeting: Staff explained that before 2024 the ordinance distinguished fast-food restaurants but not drive-through restaurants; the proposed amendment would insert a restricted permission — noted in the code as an "r" restriction — that permits food-and-beverage drive-throughs only in Wildwood Center. Staff told the committee the Planning Commission recommended the zoning change 9–0.
Council action: Members set a public hearing for June 9 on the amendment. The motion to set the hearing passed by voice vote, 5–0.
Background and next steps: If the public hearing proceeds and the council advances the ordinance, the amendment would apply only in the Wildwood Center area described in the zoning text. Several committee members noted that specific site-level development agreements or covenants could still restrict drive-throughs on particular parcels even if the city code changes.
Ending: The committee scheduled the public hearing and will consider public comments and any development restrictions that applicants or property owners present at the June hearing.
