Hoover Residents Speak Up on Proposed Development
In Hoover, Alabama, a significant conversation is brewing about a proposed mixed-use development at the intersection of Highway 280 and Cahaba Valley Road. Local residents are making their voices heard as they seek to influence plans for a 30-acre lot at Tattersall Park.
Last week, the city’s planning and zoning commission provided a continuance for the project, which means it will not move forward just yet. This pause has opened the door for local input, and many community members are eager to share their thoughts on the development.
Community Engagement through Surveys
A resident, Ashley Lovell, has launched a survey to collect opinions from her neighbors about what they envision for the area surrounding Tattersall Park. Lovell emphasized the importance of community input, stating, “People want to share about what they want in that area.” Her initiative is aimed at gathering comprehensive feedback to present to the developers, the Hoover City Council, and Mayor Frank Brocato.
“We are not against development, but we believe it’s crucial for our community to have a say in the process,” Lovell continued. “This is an opportunity for us to work with EBSCO and the City of Hoover to come up with a solution that works for everybody.”
What Residents Want
The survey allows residents to express preferences for types of development that they would like to see at Tattersall Park. Lovell conveyed a clear message: “We want to see development that benefits the community. We want to see development where the community has input.”
This sentiment seems to resonate with many. In recent discussions, city councilor Khristi Driver acknowledged that EBSCO, the company behind the project, is working to refine their proposal. “There were a lot of questions about parking as well as some outdated numbers that were in the traffic study, so I would expect that they’re updating that,” Driver remarked.
Listening to Community Concerns
Driver expressed optimism about further engagement from EBSCO. “I hope that they will be listening to what the community wants,” she added. The city council is actively encouraging residents to communicate their concerns—particularly regarding community health, safety, welfare, and the overall character of the area.
“We want to hear about things like the health, safety and the welfare of the area as well as whether this fits with the character of our community,” Driver explained. This clearly indicates that community feedback is being taken seriously and will factor into the planning process.
Next Steps for the Proposal
As it stands, the proposal from EBSCO could be reviewed again by the planning and zoning commission on November 11. This upcoming meeting will be critical—both for the developers and the residents of Hoover—as they seek to find common ground on the future of this development.
As the city continues to prepare for this discussion, residents are encouraged to participate in the ongoing surveys and bring their voices to the table. It’s clear that this project will need to align with community interests if it hopes to move forward successfully.
The outcome of this ongoing dialogue will likely shape not just the planning for Tattersall Park, but also the broader relationship between developers and residents in Hoover. Community engagement is alive and well in this city, and it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
