The Birmingham City Council has approved a controversial hotel and condominium development in Birmingham’s Redmont Park neighborhood despite strong opposition from people who live nearby.
The council voted 7-2 Tuesday to rezone the property at 1240 22nd Street South, near the Red Mountain Expressway. The approved plan allows the building to reach 115 feet.
The proposed development, called The Tramont, includes about 80 hotel rooms and 10 to 15 luxury condominiums.
For neighbors, the main issue wasn’t whether the property should be developed. It was how tall the building should be.
Cathy Adams, vice president of the Redmont Park Neighborhood Association, told the council the neighborhood had repeatedly tried to work with developer David Silverstein, president of The FiveStone Group, who also had a hand in building The Summit Birmingham and The Pizitz.
“We’re not telling Mr. Silverstein he can’t develop this property. We’re just asking him to develop it within the boundaries, to play by the rules, like we all have to do,” Adams said.
The property’s current zoning generally allows buildings up to 65 feet. The developer previously received approval for an 80-foot variance.
But developer Silverstein told the council the project wouldn’t work at that height.
He said combining the hotel and condominiums requires enough space to make the project financially viable, particularly because the site also has to accommodate parking. He later said the project would lose its purpose at 80 feet.
“Even with the 80-foot barrier, it’d be a totally different. … Probably couldn’t bring the hospitality. The overall project loses its substance without this,” he said.
Silverstein argued the additional height would allow the building to be narrower, creating more space between it and neighboring properties.
But residents remained concerned about the building’s impact on the historic residential area.
Mary Helen Crowe, who lives nearby, said the neighborhood’s character should be considered alongside the potential economic benefits.
“[A] 115 feet, 125-foot building is not in keeping with our historic neighborhood,” she said.
She also questioned why the project couldn’t be built somewhere with more commercial development.
“If he wants to build his 125-foot-tall building, build it in a commercial and office space area. … This is not a commercial and office space for 125-foot building,” Crowe said.
Another neighbor, Jeff Porterfield, said he supports development of the property but not a building of this size.
“I thought the original 28-unit luxury condo project would be an asset to the neighborhood," he said. "I just think 115-foot tall building does not fit in the neighborhood.”
During the meeting, Councilor Josh Vasa proposed a compromise: approve the project but cap its height at 80 feet.
Vasa said the neighborhood groups and the city’s zoning advisory committee had all opposed the taller building. He also pointed to the Southern Area Framework Plan, which calls for lower-density development in that part of Birmingham.
“This is not against the redevelopment of the property. It is not against investment in Birmingham. It is about height. It is about height change,” Vasa said.
Vasa’s motion did not receive a second and therefore could not move forward.
Councilor Darryl O’Quinn said while the debate was largely about hight, the project would bring jobs and offer an amenity he believes Birmingham currently lacks.
“I think those are all reasons for the council to consider supporting this rezoning application,” O'Quinn said.
With the zoning change approved by the council, the developer will still need to go through the city’s design review and other development processes before construction can begin.
