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Samford says ground lease, covenants will keep South Campus housing for students
Summary
Samford told the commission the university will retain control of land via its endowment and a ground lease with restrictive covenants; the lease will be structured to comply with the Fair Housing Act and to preserve student‑only use and certain behavioral restrictions.
Samford University representatives told the Homewood Planning Commission the South Campus project will be structured so the university retains long‑term control of the land while the buildings are financed and operated by a development partner.
Colin Coyne explained Samford’s endowment owns University Park Place and the project will be structured as a ground lease with restrictive covenants that "will travel with the land." He said the arrangement allows the university to maintain non‑financial controls over use (for example, covenants that could prohibit alcohol in common areas) while meeting financing and Fair Housing constraints. Coyne said covenants and a right of first refusal would be used to ensure any future buyer must follow the same conditions.
Commissioners also questioned accessibility and unit counts. Julie Potter of Davis Architects said accessible units will meet code and Fair Housing requirements (about 5% of units, with Type B units provided), and the applicant said the project intends to manage allocation of ADA accommodations at the site level.
