Council approves study for Jemison Park bridge

The city of Mountain Brook is looking at options to create a bridge to connect Jemison Trail over Shades Creek, which currently is connected by a set of concrete stepping stones.

Council member Billy Pritchard said residents had expressed concerns that the stepping stones and staircases on either side were not accessible to people with disabilities or parents with strollers. A resident has offered to fundraise and privately pay for the bridge's construction.

The council decided at its May 23 meeting to pay Schoel Engineering around $7,700 to study the area and come up with bridge options. Since the proposed bridge location would be in a floodplain, FEMA regulations require that any changes must not raise flood levels.

It's more likely that the bridge would be a "wet" bridge that could withstand occasional flooding when rainfall is high.

Schoel Engineering will return to the council with possible alternatives.

At the meeting, the council also:

• Heard from community members who appreciated the recent extension of MAX bus route 43 into Mountain Brook Village, instead of its former stopping point at the zoo. Residents also recognized Richard Goldstein, the city's liaison to the Transit Authority, for his efforts to get the route changed.
• Held a public hearing to consider making the cul-de-sac of Ridgecrest Road a no-parking zone. Residents said the area is frequently filled with parked cars, which could prevent an emergency vehicle from accessing that road. They also said the cul-de-sac is a frequent parking area for teenagers, and neighbors often find beer cans, water bottles and food containers left behind. However, the council noted that making the area a no-parking zone could simply move the parking problem to another part of the street, and prevent guests at nearby houses from parking. The council decided to table the discussion until they could talk with police and the city's legal counsel. 
• Approved a contract with Sain and Associates for construction engineering and inspection services for Phase 5B of the city's sidewalk project.
• Approved the purchase of 0.17 acres from owner Rami Achdut to add to the Cahaba River Walk. The city closes on the property Thursday.
• Approved a clinical agreement with Wallace State Community College to provide educational opportunities for paramedic students.
• Approved the county Personnel Board's recommendation to upgrade the position of revenue officer.
• Sent a proposed zoning amendment to the planning commission to consider. The council wants to add medical office as a potential use to the Office Park Zoning District, and remove it from all other professional districts. The planning commission will draft the ordinance and hold a public hearing before making a recommendation to the council.
• Tabled discussion of adding a "No Turn on Red" sign for the ramp to U.S. 280 at Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Village, to relieve traffic issues. The council decided that the completion of Lane Parke and the possible future replacement of the intersection with a roundabout made it impossible to predict future traffic needs.
• Dropped discussion of a lunchtime restaurant conditional use application at 2708 Culver Road, for Biscuit Boyz, until June 13.
• Dropped discussion of cost assessment for nuisance abatement at 2324 Cahaba Road, as the costs had been paid.