By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—The Shelby County Planning Commission rezoned a 9.64-acre tract of land on U.S. 280 for a future continuing care retirement community during a July 20 meeting.

The currently undeveloped property is located near the Village at Lee Branch shopping center at the intersection of U.S. 280, Eagle Point Parkway and Farley Lane.

The Planning Commission approved the request from Jesse Marinko, with Phoenix Senior Living, to rezone the property to R-5 SD for the proposed Phoenix at Eagle Point retirement community.

“This was the rezoning step,” Sharman Brooks, senior planner with the Shelby County Development Services and Planning Services office, said. “They have to complete the site development plan process.”

The site development plan will detail the engineering, utility and retention plans for the proposed 132-apartment retirement community, Brooks explained.

The Phoenix at Eagle Point will consist of a 146,000 square-foot, four-story building and feature senior apartment-style living.

Sixty units will be reserved for independent living, 48 units will be designated for assisted living and 24 units will be used for memory care housing.

A 163-space parking lot has been planned for the community along with two access locations. A paved access way off of U.S. 280 will serve as the main entry point, and a gravel road off of Farley Lane will provide secondary access.

No total project cost has been released at this early point in the process, Brooks said.

“This was the very beginning,” Brooks said.

According to a report to the Planning Commission prepared by the Shelby County Department of Development Services and Planning Services, traffic study data indicates “the traffic impact on the U.S. 280 corridor should be minimal.”

“Staff recognizes the increased demand for multi-family residential developments in the U.S. 280 and Cahaba Valley Road corridor,” the report read. “An aging population in Shelby County necessitates access to residential senior housing near the corresponding amenities.”