New zoning options under consideration for Vine Street

Vine Street in Crestline could transition into a stronger mix of residential and commercial properties with the passing of a new zoning district.

According to the ordinance under consideration by the Mountain Brook City Council, property owners on the west side of Vine Street would have the opportunity to become a part of a new, more flexible Vine Street Transitional District. Interested property owners would apply for rezoning from the City, but they would not be forced to apply for this zoning.

“The special district is designed to let folks along Vine Street use their property in a way that provides for an effective transition into the heart of Crestline,” city attorney Whit Colvin said.

Properties where this would apply, including Crestline Early Learning Center and Please Reply, are now zoned individually for different residential and commercial purposes.

The Vine Street Transitional District would not regulate what buildings look like but would permit structures to be used in a certain way.

A notable feature is that properties could feature mix-use buildings with, for instance, a law office on the bottom floor and a condo on the second floor.

The district also focuses on business and office uses as opposed to retail operations. A law or insurance office might operate in the space, Colvin explained, but not a higher traffic business like a Dyron’s or a Zoe’s.

At a public hearing on July 8, attorney Trip Galloway represented a property owner who wanted to make sure that the zoning did not allow for buildings that were too tall, too close to the street or that would negatively impact residents.

This discussion encouraged the Mountain Brook City Council to consider strengthening the language of the code to focus more on it being a development planning-driven zoning district.

The original code under consideration originally stated that buildings would have a maximum height of 36 feet.

The only other party represented at the hearing was the owner of the Please Reply building, who voiced concern that Vine Street property would be rezoned. The council confirmed that the code would not rezone the property but rather just provide another option for zoning.

“This doesn’t force anything on anyone but provides opportunity for those there,” Colvin said.

Depending on the extent of revisions to the code, it could go before the Council in August, according to Colvin.

If the ordinance changes in a substantial way, Colvin said the City would provide another opportunity for a public hearing.

“The City has grappled with what should happen to that group of properties since I have worked for the City,” Colvin said. “[City Planner] Dana Hazen has been thinking a lot about what to do with that property, and with her expertise, we have been able to craft something we think is a good fit.”