Mountain Brook City Manager Responds To Patch Readers

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL — Continuing the monthly feature in Patch this year, Mountain Brook city manager Sam Gaston responded Friday to questions Patch readers have regarding city issues.

This month's questions involved a development in Cahaba Heights and how it affects Mountain Brook traffic, the long-awaited roundabout in Mountain Brook Village and more.

This month's questions:

There is a lot of neighborhood objection to multi-family development of the 12 acre lot at 3961 Briar Oak Drive - a Vestavia Hills property that is only accessible via Mountain Brook roads, and will greatly increase local traffic. How does Mtn Brook plan to protect against over-development on this parcel?

City Council is discussing this Monday night on our pre-meeting agenda. If a subdivision plat is filed to divide the property into several lots, the city will investigate and possibly represent the neighborhood at the public hearing before the Vestavia Hills Planning Commission. The property is currently zoned R-2 which is single family lot sizes of 15,000 square feet minimum. If a rezoning is requested for a higher density, the city can get involved by also investigating and attending the public hearing before the Vestavia Hills Planning Commission and City Council.

Are they getting ready to build on the big dirt pile by the barber shop (in Mountain Brook Village), and what happened to the 75% occupancy commitment before any of the (Mountain Brook) village was torn down?

Yes, hopefully soon. The owner has filed for permits and the city staff has reviewed them and are ready to issue the permits for most of phase 2. I was not aware of a 75 percent occupancy commitment before the old shopping center was demolished. This is probably between the owner and the financing company.

At one time, there was a major plan for traffic roundabout to be installed at the intersection of Highway 280, as it comes into to Mountain Brook Village, and Cahaba and Culver Roads. Is this still under consideration? If not, is there a possibility of installing a new traffic light, with a left turn arrow at this intersection?

Yes, two roundabouts are proposed for 2022 in this area. A large one by the Zoo/Botanical Gardens and a smaller one in front of Barton-Clay and the Shell Station. It will be a big plus for this multi-intersection location by keeping traffic moving.

Sam Gaston answers Patch readers questions each month regarding issues in and around Mountain Brook. Watch for the email to submit your questions.