The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission met on Tuesday and approved preliminary plans for eight new residential lots off Inverness Point Drive. The 35.6‑acre parcel, to be called Jennings Reserve, is owned by Acton Development Corp. and is zoned as an E‑2 single‑family estate district. Four of the lots will border the Cahaba River, offering future homeowners direct river access.
Developer Outlook
Acton Development’s representative, Jordan Huffstelter, said the company will begin building the infrastructure and a single entrance road as soon as possible. He estimates the road work will take about six months. Because the lots will be sold individually, the timing for constructing homes will be determined by the new owners. Huffstelter also confirmed that the community will be gated, providing an added layer of security for residents.
Other Zoning Items Considered
In addition to the Jennings Reserve approval, the commission took action on several other requests:
- Preliminary approval for 91 residential lots and a common area in Phase 4D of the Everlee community off Alabama 150.
- Combination of three lots into two on Blackridge Circle for single‑family residential use.
- Pre‑zoning of property at 1526 Kestwick Drive off Chapel Road to an E‑2 single‑family estate district.
- Combination of four lots at 2136 Kent Way and a vacated alleyway into one lot for residential use in the Shades Mountain community.
- Postponement of a request to combine three single‑family lots into one at 1853 Wisterwood Drive in the Green Valley community until Oct. 5.
Postponed Projects
The commission also postponed two significant items for further review. A request for a 30,000‑square‑foot community center at 900 Concourse Parkway in the Riverchase Office Park was delayed to allow the applicant to submit a revised traffic study that accounts for all potential uses of the property. Harbert Properties Corp. currently owns the 7.5‑acre site and is negotiating a sale to the Alabama Merchants Association, which is considering a recreational center, office space, and a place of worship.
City Planner Mac Martin noted that the existing traffic study did not fully address the varied uses, and staff are not recommending approval because the city’s comprehensive plan designates the area for office and light‑industrial purposes.
Another postponed item involved four lots zoned as “planned industrial” at the corner of Stadium Trace Parkway and Flemming Parkway in the Trace Crossings area. Developer Jonathan Belcher of Signature Homes proposed off‑site storm‑water improvements downstream to resolve a flooding issue at the intersection. City staff, however, want the improvements completed before issuing building permits to avoid further flooding risks. Belcher argued that construction should not occur while school is in session because students walk through the area, and he expects the storm‑water work to be finished during a winter break.
Next Steps
Both the community‑center request and the Trace Crossings industrial parcel are slated to return to the Planning Commission on Oct. 5 for further consideration.
The commission’s actions this week reflect Hoover’s ongoing effort to balance growth with responsible land use, ensuring new residential opportunities while safeguarding infrastructure and community needs.
Original reporting: Hoover Sun — read the source article.
