The town council of Westover could vote on the adoption of U.S. Highway 280 Overlay regulations at its next regular meeting set for Tuesday, May 3.

Mayor Mark McLaughlin said the overlay regulations will be on the agenda for the next regular council meeting and that the council could choose to suspend the rules for immediate action if it desires.

City clerk Wayne Jones said a public hearing was held on April 19 on the regulations recommended by the town’s Planning Commission, but no one showed up to express an opinion.

McLaughlin said the intent of the U.S. 280 Overlay Regulations is to plan the development of the highway as depicted on the zoning map regarding landscaping, access, fencing and walls, lighting, grading and drainage.

McLaughlin said however, the town’s own sign regulations were more restrictive than those of the recommended overlay plan and will be used in its place in that area.

He said the overlay regulations have been adopted by Birmingham, Homewood, Hoover, Jefferson County, Mountain Brook and Shelby County.

&uot;When we held our comprehensive planning process, people were adamant about qualify of life issues,&uot; McLaughlins said.

He said such matters included, &uot;how the town looked as it developed&uot; with regard to such issues as signage and access roads.

McLaughlin said since that was what came out of those comprehensive plan public meetings, the overlay regulations are a tool to help achieve those goals.

In another matter, McLaughlin said a proposal has been presented to the fire department for services.

The council approved funds for education tuition for up to seven members of the Board of Zoning Adjustments.

And the council voted to pay for new software for two computers donated to the Westover Public Library.

Gail Hahn of the AARP Driver Safety Program offered to hold an eight-hour class in two four-hour sessions for those wishing to take the course at a cost of $10 per person