Here are some of the highlights from today's Birmingham City Council Meeting
ITEM 2
The Birmingham City Council approved amendments to the City’s Sign Ordinance following a lengthy process that involved multiple hearings in the Planning and Zoning Committee.
Perhaps most notably, the changes will limit the use of pole signs along scenic corridors in Birmingham, which can be detrimental to the character of certain areas.
Some of the other notable changes in the ordinance include, but are not limited to: Expanding the usage of attached signs to include canopies and awnings, expanding provisions for monument signs, expanding provisions for small blade and vertical signage, and creating provisions for historic, directory and corner signs,
At the regularly scheduled July 2nd meeting the Zoning Advisory Committee voted to recommend approval of the amendments to the Council. On August 28th the Council's Planning and Zoning Committee voted to recommend the changes as well.
According to Councilor Valerie Abbott, who chairs the Planning and Zoning Committee, the goal of these changes were to ensure that the City’s code allowed for signs that looked nice and performed their tasks without adding clutter.
“I’m sure the members of the City’s Planning, Engineering and Permits Department can tell you but the Council’s committee got really in the weeds with some of these details. But I think we made some really good improvements," Councilor Abbott said. "As with anything the Council considers, we wanted to be sure we understood exactly what these changes were before the vote and I’d like to thank our city officials for their work on this. It’s one of those issues that might seem a little boring until you have people who get upset about big, bright signs being put up in places they don’t belong.”
ITEM 12
The Birmingham City Council approved an application for a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to assist with replacing five bridges across the city.
This grant is for smaller repair projects and will be for $4 million with a $1 million match from the City if the application is successful. Those locations are for Lawson Road at Five Mile Road (Five Mile Creek), West Blvd. at First Ave. North, the old terminal train station tunnel, Greensprings Ave. (over the CSX rail line) and 2nd Ave. North at 6th Street North.
As one of the most populous areas in the state, Jefferson County’s roadways and bridges are heavily utilized, and the aging infrastructure is showing signs of deterioration. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, Alabama's bridges received a "C-" rating in their 2021 Infrastructure Report Card. Roughly 7 percent of the bridges statewide have been deemed structurally insufficient – an estimated 1,400 total. Many of them are located in Jefferson County.
In Birmingham, the city’s bridges play a vital role in connecting communities and supporting commerce, and their deterioration directly impacts local economies and daily commutes. If the application is successful, the City will be able to make much needed improvements with having 80 percent of the cost shared by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“We have a lot of bridges in Birmingham that are in need of repairs, across all areas of town,” Council President Darrell O’Quinn said. “A couple of these would be complete replacements, which is very much needed and this is an issue we hear from our residents on a regular basis. I’m happy we could move this forward today.”
HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Join District 6 Councilor Crystal Smitherman for the upcoming Expungement Clinic on October 18th from 9 am to 4 pm at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church.
An expungement can help open doors to better jobs, housing, and new opportunities.
Our legal experts will be on-site to help you navigate the process and find out if you're eligible to clear your record.
Don’t let your past define your future. Let’s take this first step together.