Irondale council approves rezoning at 2590 Edwards Street for up to 66 townhomes

The Irondale City Council on May 20 unanimously adopted ordinance 2026‑18 to rezone 2590 Edwards Street from R‑5 Townhome District to R‑6 Planned Use Development, clearing the way for a townhome development capped at 66 units.

Attorney Charlie Beavers, representing Shore Holdings LLC, said the new site plan reduces earthmoving and better fits the property’s steep topography. "There's a much better way to develop this in a different kind of site plan that will not require as much site work, earth removal, and the like," he told the council, adding the developer removed a previously proposed commercial component after neighborhood feedback.

Engineer Wade Lowry described the revised layout as a stepped design that works with the hillside and said the city engineer and fire marshal approved limiting primary vehicle access to Edwards Street provided the townhomes include residential sprinklers and the internal streets form a continuous loop. He said the plan retains the covenant limits from a 1995 decree — no more than 66 units and a 40‑foot natural buffer on one side — and that the developer would add additional evergreen plantings in the buffer and coordinate the final planting plan with neighbors.

Several council members asked about construction access, road grades and potential impacts on Old Grants Mill Road; Lowry said construction traffic and the permanent access would use Edwards Street and that the steepest internal grades would be at or below the 10% maximum allowed by fire code. Neighbor Kaye Mickel, who lives adjacent to the proposed common area, told the council she appreciated the developer’s engagement and supported the revised access plan.

Councilman Sims moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilman London seconded. The council then suspended rules for immediate consideration and voted unanimously: Councilman London—Yes; Councilwoman Arnold—Yes; Councilman Box—Yes; Councilman Sims—Yes; Council President—Yes.

The developer and city must still complete engineering and permitting steps: civil construction documents, erosion‑control and environmental permits at the state level, and sanitary sewer review by Jefferson County before building permits are issued. The developer said final civil design may require minor layout adjustments but that the 66‑unit cap is the maximum proposed.

Next steps: the project will return to city staff for formal plan review and permitting; neighbors and the developer have agreed to continue coordination on the buffer and construction access plan.