Planning commission approves Brixton annexation and 144‑lot subdivision after neighbors press gate, buffer and road concerns

The Tuscaloosa City Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 17 voted to approve Annexation 0125, GPD 0125 and PS 0125, clearing the way for Brixton, a 57‑acre residential development that will create 144 single‑family lots north of Old Colony and south of Forest Oaks Lane.

The project packet presented by city staff described 144 single‑family lots, a 2.5 dwelling‑units‑per‑acre density, and roughly 33 percent of the site set aside as open space (about 19 acres). Developers told the commission most lots will be 60‑foot widths with a small number of estate lots; the petitioner also provided a price range for initial homes that varied in the record. Leo DeCoine, Director of Planning, told commissioners the site is shown as a primary expansion area in the city’s 2021 framework comprehensive plan and staff raised no objection to the annexation and rezoning recommendation.

Why it matters: The project adjoins existing neighborhoods in the Towns of North River, Yorkshire and Highgrove; neighbors objected chiefly to a proposed connection through an existing gated amenity and urged safeguards for a playground, pedestrian safety and buffer maintenance. Commissioners weighed the developer’s proposed maintenance easement and homeowners association (HOA) controls against the city’s subdivision standards before approving variances and the subdivision plat.

Developers and staff said revisions since the prior review reduced density, removed a previously proposed townhome component and tightened architectural requirements. Petitioner Jimmy Duncan of Duncan Coker Associates said the current plan contains 135 standard 60‑foot lots and nine half‑acre estate lots in the original buildout count and that the plan provides “a massive 33% of open space” and sample streetscapes and elevations.

Neighbors objected to a through connection at Forest Oaks Lane. Jim Esery, a resident of 5017 Yorkshire Lane, said, “We don't want them in the neighborhood,” and argued the current bollard system should remain to preserve safety near parks and playgrounds. Brian Robinson, president of the Yorkshire homeowners association, said his group submitted roughly 200 signatures opposing the opening of the gate and raised safety and property‑crime concerns near playground areas.

The petitioners described a compromise for the common boundary buffer: an HOA‑governed maintenance easement that allows a fence line, a 20‑foot rear‑setback maintenance strip and access gates for vegetation management. Jimmy Duncan said the developers will record the maintenance easement and include the buffer controls in HOA covenants and architectural standards.

Commission discussion also covered road widths where Brixton connects to Forest Oaks Lane. Developers said they can only provide half‑street improvements because they do not own property north of that roadway; the resulting pavement widths will taper where the two sides meet. City Engineer Michael Garner discussed options such as ribbon curb and cooperating through the land‑development permit (LDP) process to achieve a more finished look if the neighboring property owners do not construct their half of the work.

A variance to exceed the city’s cul‑de‑sac length maximum and to allow the turnaround design was considered and approved as part of the subdivision package. Planning staff noted two public comments and a petition of more than 190 signatures opposing the project as submitted; developers said they had met with town representatives and revised the proposals in response to comments.

Votes and formal actions: Commissioners moved and approved the annexation (Annex 0125), the rezoning to GPD (GPD 0125 Brixton) and the preliminary subdivision (PS 0125 Brixton), including the cul‑de‑sac variance. The chair called for each vote; commissioners recorded affirmative votes and the motions were approved.

Next steps: The developer must record required plat notes and easements (developer testimony). Final engineering and subdivision plat recording will follow the city’s standard LDP and plat recording processes.

Commissioners and staff: Commissioners participating included Stephen Rumsey (planning commissioner), Dina Prince (commissioner), Tim Harrison (commissioner), Anne Hornsby (commissioner), and Councilwoman Raven Howard (District 2) among others. Staff involved in the presentation included Leo DeCoine, Zach Ponds and City Engineer Michael Garner. Petitioner representatives included Jimmy Duncan (Duncan Coker Associates) and Bobby Isaacson (68 Ventures). Residents who spoke included Jim Esery (Yorkshire resident) and Brian Robinson (Yorkshire HOA president).

The commission approved the annexation, rezoning and subdivision at the Feb. 17 meeting; the rezoning and subdivision are recommendations to the City Council where required by code, and the subdivision approval will be processed per the city’s subdivision rules.