The City Council gave final approval Oct. 26 to Samford's two South Campus student housing buildings and The Woods, an 18-hole putting course on Scott Street.

Samford University can go ahead with new student housing south of Lakeshore Drive. The Homewood City Council approved the final development plan Monday, Oct. 26. The same vote night cleared The Woods, an outdoor putting course and restaurant venue in West Homewood.

Both approvals are recorded in the city’s summary of the Oct. 26 meetings. The city said the Samford vote allows the university “to move forward with its plans for additional student housing.” It described The Woods as “a well-planned addition that will bring a new entertainment option to the area.”

The council held public hearings on both projects Oct. 12 and carried the votes over two weeks. The Oct. 26 agenda lists both as final development plans presented by Chief Building Official Wyatt Pugh.

Samford’s South Campus housing

The plan puts two student housing buildings on Samford’s land near its track and field complex, south of Lakeshore Drive. City staff gave this outline at the Aug. 10 pre-council meeting:

  • roughly 170 units
  • one- to three-bedroom layouts
  • limited first-floor retail, mainly serving students
  • reviewed by staff for traffic, drainage and fire safety

At the Aug. 4 Planning Commission meeting, university officials said the buildings would stay dedicated to student housing through a ground lease. They also promised stormwater improvements, shuttle service, limited tree removal and dark-sky lighting. The commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval, with a maximum building height of 715 feet above sea level.

Samford said the project is meant to add on-campus housing, not to expand the campus. It opened this fall with 6,522 students, the largest enrollment in its history, according to Samford’s Sept. 9 announcement.

One question is still open. Samford officials told the commission they would keep discussing a future pedestrian bridge over Lakeshore Drive, open to the public. On Oct. 12, council members talked about continuing work with ALDOT on a safer crossing, the city’s Oct. 12 summary said. The city has not announced a design, cost or date.

The Woods in West Homewood

The Woods Golf and Social will sit at 504 and 508 Scott St., across from the Homewood Animal Clinic in West Homewood. The plans the Planning Commission reviewed include:

  • an outdoor 18-hole putting course
  • a clubhouse
  • a covered patio and bar
  • an event lawn
  • parking

The developers told the commission they would follow quiet-hour rules after 10 p.m. and build underground stormwater detention. They also said they plan memberships and affordable pricing for local families, along with leagues, birthday parties and corporate events. The commission recommended approval 7-0 on Aug. 4.

The city’s Oct. 12 summary said final approval carried two conditions: the two lots combined into one, and part of the land set aside as public right of way along Scott Street. Neither the city nor the developers have published an opening date.

What else the council did Oct. 26

  • 18th Street parking: the council rescinded the parking restriction in the 2800 block. City engineers found the 15-foot sight line was adequate.
  • Level 3 franchise: an extension of the telecommunications franchise with Level 3 Communications was approved.
  • Public Works buildings: bids for new vehicle maintenance and storage buildings open Tuesday, Nov. 24. The city said the projects are in the approved budget.
  • Overgrown lots: two residential properties, on 26th Avenue South and Mecca Avenue, were declared public nuisances for overgrowth, which lets the city arrange cleanup.
  • The former Landry’s site at 139 State Farm Parkway in Wildwood was carried over. A representative of the owner said the site is planned for a large medical clinic and surgery center.
  • Electric vehicle chargers: the proposal limiting where chargers can go was carried over again. Our earlier story explains what it would do.

What it means for you

Both projects can now move toward building permits. Neither has a published construction start. Residents near Lakeshore Drive and Scott Street can follow permits through the city’s inspections office; our guide to building permits and zoning explains how.

The proposed Dutch Bros at 832 Green Springs Highway is next. The city set a public hearing for the council meeting Monday, Nov. 23, on its request for full access onto Raleigh Avenue. Upcoming hearings are listed on our public notices page, and our who to call at City Hall page lists how to reach your council members.