Homewood Council to consider Samford housing and Scott Street venue

Homewood’s City Council is scheduled to consider two development proposals on Monday, Oct. 26: student housing on Samford University’s South Campus and The Woods, a restaurant and outdoor putting-green venue on Scott Street. Neither proposal had council approval as of Sunday, Oct. 25.

Both proposals received public hearings on Oct. 12 and were carried over for expected votes at the next council meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Hall, according to the city’s meeting calendar.

Housing near Samford, venue on Scott Street i

The proposals differ in both location and purpose. The Woods is proposed for 504 and 508 Scott Street in West Homewood. The city’s description says the plan would combine the two properties into one lot and dedicate part of the Scott Street frontage for public right-of-way.

Samford’s proposal covers about 27 acres south of Lakeshore Drive. The city described two residential buildings and about 9,000 square feet of retail space. WIAT reported that the plan calls for two six-story buildings with 494 beds, developed by Lakeshore Development Interests and Landmark Development Services.

Recommendations are not council approval i

WIAT reported that the Planning Commission recommended the Samford plan with conditions: combining properties into one lot and limiting building height to that of surrounding buildings. Those recommendations do not amount to final council approval.

Discussion reported at the Oct. 12 council meeting included building height, long-term maintenance, drainage, possible tax implications and further talks with ALDOT about a safer pedestrian crossing over Lakeshore Drive. WIAT also reported that several people spoke in favor of The Woods; that does not establish broader community consensus.

The next decision point is the council’s scheduled Oct. 26 meeting. Until the council acts, both developments remain proposals, not approved projects.