County delays vote on subdivision regs

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Shelby County&8217;s much debated subdivision regulations will go back to the planning commission for more consideration, the county commission voted Monday night.

The proposed regulations first appeared on the agenda of the Shelby County Commission in November, but following a public hearing the commission voted to delay action on the plan until Monday night, where action was delayed a second time.

&8220;I think at this point in time we&8217;re doing what we should do,&8221; said commissioner Earl Cunningham. &8220;But it is my hope that [in February] we do take some action. We&8217;re not being fair to the citizens of Shelby County, we&8217;re not being fair to our staff.&8221;

The proposed regulations met fierce opposition from area homebuilders and developers, including the Greater Birmingham Association of Homebuilders (GBAHB), which launched a public relations campaign against the plan.

Several citizens spoke in favor of the regulations during the public comment portion of Monday&8217;s meeting.

Attorney Jesse Evans III, hired to represent homebuilders in the issue, said he would reserve his comments to the commission for the Feb. 12 meeting, when the commission is scheduled to consider the plan a third time.

The planning commission is expected to consider any changes to the plan, including special consideration for properties along the Coosa River and Lay Lake, at it&8217;s regularly scheduled meeting Feb. 5