Committee approves city takeover of Legacy Point subdivision streets; paving estimated at $250k–$300k

The Tuscaloosa City Public Projects Committee voted to accept the dedication of subdivision streets in Legacy Point and to take over maintenance of those streets, staff said during the meeting.

Mister Crow, a city official who presented the item, said the city has been in discussions with the Legacy Point Homeowners Association for nearly 18 months. He said the subdivision includes about 41 homes located off House Bin Road in north Tuscaloosa and that the streets were originally kept private when the neighborhood was annexed into the city. "The only service requested at the time was the ability to build a commercial property, which they needed to add," Mr. Crow said, describing the history of the annexation and the roads remaining private.

Crow said conflicts between the HOA and the developer over road condition persisted for roughly 15 years before more recent city involvement. He said that if the council agrees to accept the streets, the city would remove the gate and take over maintenance. Crow said the cost to patch and ultimately pave the streets would be handled through the city—s normal maintenance budgets; he added he had committed the streets would be included in the city—s upcoming paving contract with a likely cost in the range of $250,000 to $300,000.

Staff members noted the city believes taking the streets into its maintenance program is a "fair and equitable solution" for residents who have been paying city taxes for many years without full city services, and that the action would help keep the area part of the city as it grows northward. Bill Butler (engineering) and Selwyn Green (Public Works) were identified as staff members familiar with the project and available to answer technical questions.

A motion to accept dedication and take over maintenance passed by voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or named mover/seconder.