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Planning and Zoning
Dana Hazen, AICP
City Planner
205/802-3805
hazend@mtnbrook.org
Early Planning in Mountain Brook
Mountain Brook is one of the earliest planned communities in the nation. Robert Jemison’s vision of a community nestled in a charming woodland scene has been cherished, nurtured and preserved since the late 1920’s. In cooperation with the creative talents of Warren H. Manning and W.H. Kessler, Jemison took great care to incorporate house sites and winding, tree-canopied roads into the natural landscape. Later, commercial nodes were established as quaint villages where local residents enjoyed convenient access to goods and services. The same attributes that strengthened the beauty of Jemison’s original vision are still very much alive today, and continue to underscore the City’s contemporary planning goals and policies.
Department Functions:
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Provide staff assistance to the City Manager, City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustment and Village Design Review Committee;
Carry out comprehensive planning functions such as the administration and maintenance of the City's long range plan and the Village Master Plan;
Administer and update the City's Zoning Ordinance, Zoning Map, Subdivision Regulations and Sign Ordinance;
Respond to general public inquiries regarding zoning and land development;
Process land use applications such as rezoning, resurveys, variances and sign permits;
Review construction plans for compliance with zoning regulations.
Helpful Links:
Deadline Schedule
Village Master Plan
Zoning Code (select Chapter 129)
Subdivision Regulations
Sign Ordinance
Variance Application (Board of Zoning Adjustment)
Planning Commission Application
City Council Application
Temporary Banner Ordinance
Temporary Banner Application
Home Occupation Application
Sign Application/Village Design Review
Design Review Application/VDR
Sidewalk Cafe Ordinance
Sidewalk Cafe Application
Public Hearing Schedule
Announcements
Board Vacancies/Appointments
Doing Business in Mountain Brook
A step by step guide to opening a business in Mountain Brook.
Be Counted in 2010 Census
For the 2000 Census the City of Mountain Brook had the highest response rate in the state of Alabama – 80 percent! Let’s be #1 again in 2010! Why is participation important? Here are just a few reasons: Every year, over $300 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities based on census data. Census data guide planning for new hospitals, schools and other services. Businesses use census data to locate new retail and service establishments, and census data determines how may seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. (To view 50 ways that census information is used click here). With only 10 questions, the 2010 Census questionnaire is one of the shortest in history and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Begin looking for your census materials to arrive in March, and be sure you and your family are counted in 2010!
Proposed Zoning Amendments:
Professional District within the Villages
Recent Zoning Ordinances Adopted:
Definitions, Development Standards & Accessory Structures
Local Business District
Residence B and Residence C Districts
*To view meeting agendas click on "Meeting Agendas" in the green contents bar (left) and navigate to the board and hearing date of interest*
A Word from your City Planner:
Mountain Brook’s first official Planning Department was established in late 2007. Since its inception many exciting planning activities have taken place! The following are some of the highlights of recent months:
Zoning Ordinance Amendments
On the heels of the adopted Village Master Plan (June 2007), which was a two-year culmination of the cooperative efforts of citizens, city staff, steering committees, the planning commission and the city council, six new zoning ordinance amendments (ORD. #'s 1762-1767) were adopted (February 2008) to reflect the vision of the community. As part of this process, two new residential zoning districts were adopted, one allowing townhomes within the villages, and the other allowing stacked flats within the villages; and the new Village Overlay Standards and Building and Regulation Maps were adopted, as well, to provide a regulatory guide to building “form” within the villages.
Recent and Pending Redevelopment around the City:
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Redevelopment of the Pilgrim Church site on Montclair Road is underway as a Planned Unit Development containing fifteen single-family homes.
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Redevelopment of twelve of the homes sites in the Brook Manor subdivision is underway with twelve new residential structures, each containing a pair of townhomes.
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Redevelopment of the old Chevron site, in the heart of Mountain Brook Village, has been completed with a retail building which boasts Dram Whiskey Bar on the first floor and Avo restaurant on the second floor.
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Redevelopment of the residential cinder block units on the cul-de-sac on Heathermoor Road has been approved by the City Council. The request to rezone the property to one of the City’s new zoning districts (Residence G) was approved by the City Council on October 13, 2008. The proposal involves a sixteen-unit stacked-flat development. Plans and elevations of the proposed project are available for review at City Hall.
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Redevelopment of the Evans property; 27 acres in Mountain Brook Village better know as the Western Shopping Center and the Park Lane Apartments. The proposed planned unit development (PUD) inlcudes a mixture of retail, dining, residences, parks, offices and a boutique hotel. For an overview of this proposal click here: Lane Parke. The Planning Commission recommeded approval of the project to the City Council on July 6, 2009. The City Council has held three public hearings on this project thus far. The City Council public meeting which was advertised for November 24, 2009 has been cancelled.
The City encourages its citizens to participate in the public hearing process. Be informed about proposed zoning and subdivision changes in your community! Public notices are regularly posted in the following locations:
City Hall - 56 Church Street
Gilchrist Drug Company - 2805 Cahaba Road
Joe Muggs Newsstand - 2037 Cahaba Road
Piggly Wiggly Food Store 4 - 93 Euclid Avenue
The Invitation Place - 3150 Overton Road
A Note about Temporary Banners
In November 2007 the City Council amended the City's temporary banner ordinance. Two types of temporary banners are permitted:
(1) new businesses may utilize a banner until a permanent sign is installed, or for a period of 45 days (whichever time period is shorter);
(2) "special event " banners may be utilized for special sales, events or activities. These banners are limited to 21 calendar days of display per year. Size and installation parameters may be found within the ordinance itself.
A permit is required for temporary banners (no fee) and is issued by the City Planner. Be sure and stop by City Hall, call, or send an email with any inquiries regarding temporary banners! Temporary Banner Applications are available at City Hall, or may be requested via email. Your cooperation in keeping our City "de-cluttered" is appreciated!
City Staff
Dana Hazen, AICP
City Planner
Phone:205/802-3805
FAX: 205/879-6913
Email:hazend@mtnbrook.org
Mrs. Carole Epstein, Executive Assistant:
Phone: 205/802-3822
FAX: 205/879-6913
Email: epsteinc@mtnbrook.org
Mrs. Epstein serves as Executive Assistant to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustment and Design Review Committee. She can assist you with review and/or copies of minutes and agendas; review of PC, BZA and VDRC cases; explanation of the application process and deadline dates.
Mrs. Vicki Thomas, License/Permit Clerk:
Phone: 205/802-3819
FAX: 205/879-6913
Email: thomasv@mtnbrook.org
Mrs. Thomas assists with providing copies of our Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Design Review Guidelines, Sign Ordinance and Permit Applications.
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