Birmingham City Council OKs rezoning for commercial developments

The Birmingham City Council — at its regular meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 22 — approved zoning changes on three parcels, including two downtown, thereby clearing the way for some commercial developments.

The council voted to approve a change in zoning for a property located at 1630 Second Ave. S. from M-1 (Light Industrial District) to MUD (Mixed-Use Downtown District). The request was filed by Mike Gibson for Beaver Creek Hunters LLC.

The 1920-vintage commercial structure at the site is to be repurposed for use as a bar and restaurant and some office space.

Tim Gambrel, chief planner for the city of Birmingham, said the designs will follow the guidelines set by the Alabama Historical Commission. However, it must still be reviewed by the city’s Design Review Committee, he said.

Members approved a second zoning change requested by Gibson at 409 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. S. 

The property, which formerly served as the home of Appleseed Workshop, will be rezoned from M-1 (Light Industrial District) to MUD (Mixed-Use District) and used for suite of business offices.

The one-story building dates to 1940 and will house three offices, according to Gambrel.

In both cases, the plans are consistent with the city’s long-range land-use plan in those neighborhoods and with a trend in the City Center to repurpose warehouses, Gambrel said.

Both requests for rezoning were approved by the Five Points Neighborhood Association and were recommended by the Z.A.C. and the council’s Planning and Zoning Committee.

The council granted developer Ben Watson the rezoning he requested at 617 37th St. S. In Forest Park, a parcel located near Avondale Elementary School.

The zoning will be changed from O&I (Office & Institutional District) to MU-L (Mixed-Use Low District) in order to allow for the construction of a new 2-story office and residentail structure.

There will be office space on the first floor and two 2-bedroom condos on the second floor, Gambrel said.

There will be a updated access road and a new parking lot that will be shared with an adjacent property, he said.

The change was recommended by the Z.A.C. and the Planning and Zoning Committee.