Council approves amended development plan for Samford University Bulldog District at 800 Lakeshore Drive

The City of Homewood City Council on July 28 approved an amendment to the final development plan for Samford University27s Bulldog District at 800 Lakeshore Drive, authorizing construction of a student residence hall adjacent to the football stadium. The council voted 7-0 to adopt the ordinance, which the clerk recorded as Ordinance 29 46.

The amendment covers construction of a 220-bed residence hall with 70 parking stalls beneath the building, described by the applicant as part of the university27s ongoing expansion of on-campus housing. Jeff Polashek, identifying himself as a representative of Samford University, told the council, "This is a residence hall, 220 bed spaces with 70 parking stalls beneath it, right next to our football stadium." He said the project is part of a broader campus housing plan that the university monitors semester by semester.

The planning and neighborhood development committee referred the item to the full council after a 5-0 vote to send the proposal forward pending the public hearing. After opening and closing the public hearing with no speakers besides the applicant, the council conducted a first reading and then moved to unanimous consent for final approval. Mr. Kendrick read the ordinance language amending the final development plan and clarifying that the final plan attached as an exhibit would govern uses and restrictions for the described portion of campus.

Council discussion was procedural; no substantive amendments to the plan were offered during the hearing. The council vote on the ordinance was recorded as unanimous, 7-0, and the mayor or presiding officer signed the ordinance as required by local procedure.

The approval authorizes Samford University to proceed under the amended final development plan as attached to Ordinance 29 46. The ordinance states the city clerk must give statutory notice and that any part declared invalid by a court will not affect the remainder of the ordinance.

The city set the development plan amendment public hearing for the July 28 meeting and carried the ordinance forward to enactment by the council and mayor as provided in the ordinance text.