By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Pelham leaders are encouraging a developer looking to build a new apartment complex off Huntley Parkway to consider obtaining more acreage to keep the proposed project’s density within city guidelines.

During a Jan. 21 meeting with city business owners, Pelham Mayor Gary Waters said the developer’s original plans would have required a variance to the city’s residential density requirements, which allow 10 residences per acre.

“They are looking into getting more acreage so they won’t need to request a variance,” Waters said. “So that should come back to the City Council at some point in the future. We want to get something worked out that will be best for everyone.”

The City Council currently is considering a request from C&A Enterprises to rezone a piece of currently vacant property on Huntley Parkway to accommodate a new apartment complex.

In September 2013, the council agreed to table the rezoning request to allow the developer to present proposals to ease traffic in the area. Since then, the developer has submitted a proposal to add an additional turn lane from Shelby County 52 eastbound onto I-65 northbound to allow vehicles to more easily access the interstate.

Hayes said the city is continuing to work with the Shelby County Highway Department and the Alabama Department of Transportation on the traffic concerns in the area, and said he anticipates C&A will bring a lower-density project proposal to the council soon.

“It is something they do plan to bring back to us. Density is obviously an issue,” Hayes said, noting the developer is still planning to construct apartments on the property. “The developers have been very flexible, very reasonable in working with us on this.”