700 new homes set for north Huntsville

Planners praise location but cite traffic concerns

Thursday, May 10, 2007

By JOHN PECK

Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com

City planners are considering a rezoning request that would pave the way for a large subdivision in north Huntsville.

The project would feature about 700 homes across 189 acres west of Memorial Parkway and just north of the long-established Mount Charron neighborhood, according to developer Wayne Self.

A public hearing has been set for the Planning Commission meeting June 26.

Self told the commission's zoning subcommittee Wednesday that the planned widening of Bob Wade Lane (the future Martin Luther King Drive) should make the homes especially attractive to buyers wanting easy access to the Parkway and a direct route to Cummings Research Park and Redstone Arsenal.

Planners praised the prospect of a development that size is often overlooked for north Huntsville but expressed concern about the effect of traffic on neighborhoods nearby.

"From a development standpoint, all that north Huntsville area needs something going on," said planning Chairman Crawford Howard. "I'm just not sure what we've got in that area can handle double the density."

He was referring to developers' request to rezone from Residence 1 to Residence 1-B, which allows about half the minimum 15,000-square-foot lot required for single-family homes in R-1 districts.

Charlie Epps, who owns the property, said the subdivision should be a boost for the area.

"What could be better for north Huntsville?" he asked.

Howard recalled earlier plans by the Epps family to develop mini-estate lots on the property for horse owners. Epps said the project was abandoned because of cost.

Self told planners that the homes would be similar to those in Huntsville's Potters Mill subdivision off Slaughter Road, which he said sold for $150,000 to $175,000. He said the market is ripe for homes that feature brick and require less yard upkeep.



700 new homes set for north Huntsville Planners praise location but cite traffic concerns Thursday, May 10, 2007 By JOHN PECK Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com City planners are considering a rezoning request that would pave the way for a large subdivision in north Huntsville. The project would feature about 700 homes across 189 acres west of Memorial Parkway and just north of the long-established Mount Charron neighborhood, according to developer Wayne Self. A public hearing has been set for the Planning Commission meeting June 26. Self told the commission's zoning subcommittee Wednesday that the planned widening of Bob Wade Lane (the future Martin Luther King Drive) should make the homes especially attractive to buyers wanting easy access to the Parkway and a direct route to Cummings Research Park and Redstone Arsenal. Planners praised the prospect of a development that size is often overlooked for north Huntsville but expressed concern about the effect of traffic on neighborhoods nearby. "From a development standpoint, all that north Huntsville area needs something going on," said planning Chairman Crawford Howard. "I'm just not sure what we've got in that area can handle double the density." He was referring to developers' request to rezone from Residence 1 to Residence 1-B, which allows about half the minimum 15,000-square-foot lot required for single-family homes in R-1 districts. Charlie Epps, who owns the property, said the subdivision should be a boost for the area. "What could be better for north Huntsville?" he asked. Howard recalled earlier plans by the Epps family to develop mini-estate lots on the property for horse owners. Epps said the project was abandoned because of cost. Self told planners that the homes would be similar to those in Huntsville's Potters Mill subdivision off Slaughter Road, which he said sold for $150,000 to $175,000. He said the market is ripe for homes that feature brick and require less yard upkeep. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.