Homewood council approves rezoning at 1300 Columbiana Road to allow medical office building

The Homewood City Council approved an ordinance to rezone 1300 Columbiana Road from industrial (I‑2) to neighborhood commercial (C‑1) to permit construction of an approximately 11,000‑square‑foot single‑story medical office building. Melinda Sellers, representing the applicant, told the council the property has been subdivided into two lots and the proposal is to rezone Lot 1 to C‑1 while leaving Lot 2 (which contains the existing church) zoned I‑2.

“This is the final step in our process,” Melinda Sellers said, describing the subdivision and the applicant’s intent. Sellers also said the developers plan a recorded cross‑parking easement so the two lots can share parking.

Resident Chadwick Stogner spoke in favor of the process and raised community concerns about childcare and public forums; he also asked a point of information about minimum lot acreage. Councilor Sims questioned the applicant about traffic impacts and whether typical office hours (“8 to 5”) were assumed, noting the intersection already experiences heavy evening traffic because of soccer fields nearby.

After discussion the council first‑read the ordinance and then proceeded to a recorded vote on the measure. The council approved the rezoning ordinance by an 8–0–1 vote (one abstention was recorded). The ordinance will be recorded as Ordinance 28‑92.

The applicant and staff did not report a signed lease for the proposed medical tenant; Sellers said the developers are proceeding on the assumption the building would house professional office users (an 8–5 pattern). Councilors asked staff and the applicant to continue to consider parking allocation and traffic impacts as site plans are finalized.