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PELHAM – The Shelby County Planning Commission approved the Master Plan for a 70-lot subdivision on 316 acres off Dunnavant Valley Road in North Shelby County.

The decision was made June 1 at the Planning Commission’s first meeting since February. Meetings had been canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic because there was no way to hold necessary public hearings while maintaining the distancing guidelines in place at the time.

Planning Commission meetings are temporarily being held at the Pelham Civic Complex.

The Master Plan was approved for South Oak Subdivision, which will include custom-built, single-family residences on lots at least 3 acres in size off Dunnavant Valley Road (Shelby County 41) between Brock Point and The Shires, and across Dunnavant Valley Road from Shoal Creek and Stonegate Farms.

Surrounding neighborhoods—Greystone Legacy, Saddle Creek and others listed above—are located in Hoover and unincorporated Shelby County.

The property is about one mile north of the intersection with Hugh Daniel Drive.

Master Plan approval recognizes the general street layout and established density patterns for the development, according to the staff report prepared for the Planning Commission. The plan does not address grading or drainage, though the staff report indicated that no mass grading is planned.

The request was submitted by property owner James C. Parsons.

The property is zoned A-R (agricultural residential).

“Although there are several existing residences and accessory structures on site, the subject property is essentially undisturbed and natural,” the staff report stated. “An existing 6.5-acre lake and a smaller lake are located in the southern half of the subject property and will be included in the common area.”

Five common areas totaling 40.8 acres will be “for the use and enjoyment of residents of South Oak for the purpose of hiking, biking and possible horseback riding,” according to the staff report.

Both access roads to the subdivision will be gated.

The common areas will remain as is with the exception of installing trails and signage.

Phase 1 of the development will see the construction of 29 lots on 143 acres, Phase 2 will be 26 lots on 110 acres and Phase 3 will be 15 lots on 63 acres.

Residents of the subdivision will be served by Shelby County Water Services and Cahaba Valley Fire and EMR.

Children would be zoned for Shelby County Schools in the Chelsea attendance zone, including Mt Laurel Elementary School, Chelsea Middle School and Chelsea High School.

The site is located within the Coosa River Basin, so land disturbance should include Best Management Practices designed and installed with the Alabama Handbook for Erosion Control, Sediment Control and Stormwater Management on Construction Sites and Urban Areas to prevent sediment from entering drainage ways or streams.