NOT IN OUR SCHOOL YARD
UPDATE: We have retained Ken Thompson to represent our interests as we move forward.
We have also officially filed with Probate to form as a 501c3 as "Cahaba Heights Community Foundation ".
Please help us fund any legal fees that may be incurred to prevent the City of Vestavia Hills from allowing a multi-story apartment complex next door to Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights. At this time we have been in contact with multiple attorneys who are interested in pursuing a case but have not decided which one/ones to move forward with. Any funds obtained that are not used will be donated to the VHECH PTO to offer extra resources the school may need to navigate the coming years of expected heavy development in the surrounding community. For auditing purposes it is preferred that all funds donated come thru this site.
A proposed development was recommended during a city Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on 9/10/15. This development requested a conditional use (a blanket variance that allows a developer to not adhere to height and building code requirements) that was granted by the commission. This development will be at least 10-15 feet taller than what current building code allows and will double the size of the highest structure in the Cahaba Heights Community. It is also positioned 100 feet from our elementary school. This proposed development will consist of 81-83 apartment units and 5,000 square feet of dedicated retail space.
The residents of Vestavia Hills spoke with a united voice at the P & Z meeting: This proposed development for the property next to VHECH was NOT what the community asked for. The Cahaba Heights Master Plan that was adopted in January 2015 calls for a residential scaled mixed-used development at this location. This development is neither residential scaled nor a true mixed-use development. Over 1,000 signatures were garnered on a petition that stated: "We oppose any conditional use or zoning variances to the properties presented for development adjacent to Vestavia Hills Elementary School-Cahaba Heights. Specifically, that the structure should not exceed 3 stories (35 feet) and that retail and residential should not exist on the same floor."
Despite the overwhelming percentage of residents who opposed this plan (there are fewer than 600 single family homes in Cahaba Heights), many members of the commission quickly dismissed resident's concerns regarding the safety of the children who attend VHECH, traffic concerns that this development would create, watershed concerns if this area was over developed, potential increased crime in the area, potential increased strain on first responders in the area, the significant reduction of parking available for school functions and ball games, potential influx of students into an elementary and high school that are both currently at capacity, and the deviation from the Cahaba Heights Master Plan. Residents, teachers, business owners, parents, and the VHECH principal all publicly stated their concerns in a 3 hour long meeting. Unfortunately, their concerns fell on many deaf ears.
Many questions regarding the timeline and the legality of this proposal went unanswered during the P & Z meeting. Their recommendation is not final until the Vestavia Hills City Council votes on this issue on October 22. This fund was created to help with any legal fees that may be incurred as the citizens of Vestavia Hills fight to LIMIT HEIGHT IN CAHABA HEIGHTS!
Any funds obtained that are not used will be donated to the VHECH PTO to offer extra resources the school may need to navigate the coming years of expected heavy development in the surrounding community.
Apartments approved near Cahaba Heights Elementary despite protests
Planning commission recommends Cahaba Heights apartment proposal
Cahaba Heights residents continue to oppose apartment complex
Proposed mix use development approved near Cahaba Heights Elementary
Apartment development faces opposition in Cahaba Heights
Cahaba Heights residents hold petition drive against new development
Community expresses concern, disapproval of potential Cahaba Heights development
