Alabaster delays decision on rezoning for new Grande View development

Published 11:26 am Wednesday, September 28, 2016

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabaster Planning and Zoning Commission delayed until October its decision on rezoning about 140 acres to allow a proposed new development in the Grande View subdivision to move forward, citing a desire to review the developer’s updated plan for the area.

The Commission originally was set to vote on the rezoning request during its Sept. 27 meeting after it tabled the matter during its Aug. 30 meeting. The Commission is now set to vote on the matter during its Oct. 25 meeting at Alabaster City Hall.

In August, Commission members said they had some concerns about the development, and requested more information from developer Cameron Givianpour.

During a work session before the Sept. 27 meeting, Commission members said they had received the updated information from the developer the night before the meeting, and said they did not have enough time to review it before the meeting.

“It was submitted to us last night, and we didn’t get it in time to review it before tonight’s meeting,” said Commission member Robert Shinpaugh. “As far as the revised (planned development district), it’s not in our packet.”

“I hate to vote on something I haven’t had a chance to look at,” Commission member Tommy Ryals added.

Givianpour is looking to build “The Ledges at Grande View” subdivision in the currently vacant 140-acre lot west of the current Grande View subdivision off Butler Road.

When the neighborhood was developed in the 1990s, the vacant land originally was zoned for townhomes, but was later rezoned R-2 residential, which requires a larger lot size.

Givianpour is looking to have the 140 acres rezoned as a planned development district, which would tie the overall development plan to the property, and would require city consent to change it.

As proposed, The Ledges at Grande View would contain 296 lots, of which 13 would be 90-foot lots, 83 would be 80-foot lots and 200 would be 60-foot lots. The development would connect to the current Grande View neighborhood, and would also include a walking trail, a detention pond and a new neighborhood entrance on Butler Road. The existing Grande View neighborhood only has one entrance.

The 140 acres were cleared and graded several years ago.

“Everyone wins if this moves forward,” Givianpour said.

“The city wants to see it done too, especially with the state the land is in now,” said Alabaster City Attorney Jeff Brumlow.