Homewood Planning Commission forwards rezoning, development plan for Hughes Circle to City Council after split vote

The Homewood Planning Commission on Feb. 19 voted to forward two related applications for 101–109 Hughes Circle to the City Council with a 5–2 negative recommendation after a public hearing that drew neighbors and project representatives.

The two items—rezoning case RZ25-02-01 (a request to rezone the parcels from Neighborhood Preservation District, listed in the file as MPD, to PR-2) and final development plan FD25-02-02—were presented together by the applicant team led by Bridal Hatcher of Cadre Engineering and John Chapman of Ferris Properties. The developer said the project would combine the nine existing lots, vacate Hughes Circle in a future resurvey and build a three-story assisted-living and memory-care building plus 24 independent-living cottages.

The nut of the debate centered on compatibility with the Neighborhood Preservation District, traffic and stormwater impacts on Old Montgomery Highway and Lakeshore Drive, tree canopy loss, parking and emergency response. Neighbors said the parcel’s MPD status and covenants tied to early property sales should protect single-family character; the applicant argued the design, buffers and landscape plan would…