By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

HOOVER — Signature Homes took a step toward building a new Hoover neighborhood Feb. 11 when the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to recommend rezoning 66 acres near the intersection of Caldwell Mill Road and Jaguar Drive for 109 homes.

The development plan also includes a site for a potential future elementary school, as well as a community building and pool, according to documents on file with the Hoover city clerk’s office.

The property was rezoned from A-1, agricultural district, to PRD, planned residential development district. Homes in the development are expected to have an average sale price of $400,000, according to documents.

During the Feb. 11 meeting, which took place with a packed house at the Hoover City Council chambers, several residents urged the commission to deny the request — to extended applause.

Noel Chambless, a local resident, used a PowerPoint presentation when appealing to the commission and said he believes the area’s environment, safety and traffic will be negatively impacted by the development

“The rezoning of the property to PRD is not part of a thoroughly considered plan calculated to best serve the community,” he said. “The change in use is not desired by the neighborhoods. The change poses a threat to the health and safety of the neighborhood.”

Chambless’ presentation said construction will remove 95 percent of thousands of mature hardwood trees in the development area and that such a development would mean an additional 1,280 car trips daily near Jaguar Drive, which is the road that leads to Spain Park High School.

Signature Homes CEO Dwight Sandlin said he’s “proud” of his company’s record.

“We’re pretty proud of who we are and what we do. If the city approves our request, we’ll do this development with the same level of expertise,” he said.

Sandlin said a key part of the development plan is preserving natural areas.

“Forty percent of the site is going to be undisturbed,” he said. “Forty percent. That’s a big number.”

Hoover City Schools Superintendent Andy Craig spoke briefly before the commission, saying if the project moves forward, he plans to recommend that the Hoover Board of Education approve an elementary school in the new neighborhood.

The rezoning request will now move to the Hoover City Council for approval.