Alabaster Forward City of Alabaster Comprehensive Plan Update

Work Shop P ve la Li y Appendix A | Existing Conditions

Comprehensive Plan Update Adopted March 14, 2016 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Adopted March 14, 2016 “We are Alabaster, Shelby County’s premier community for families and businesses, striving for an even higher quality of life and a bright future.”

This project was supported by funding from the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) and the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Building Communities Program.The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Birmingham MPO or the RPCGB. For more information on this program, please visit http://www.rpcgb. org or call (205) 251-8139.

This plan was prepared as a cooperative effort of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), MPO and RPCGB as a requirement of Title 23 USC 134 and subsequent modification under Public Law 109-59 (SAFETEA-LU) August 2005. The contents of the plan do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the USDOT.

The contents of the Comprehensive Plan are designed to serve as a guide in the public and private development of land and as such are not binding upon the City of Alabaster when making specific land use decisions and public investments. Contents Introduction to the City of Alabaster...... 1 1. Introduction...... 2 2. Planning Authority and Participants in Local Planning...... 2 3. General City Government Background...... 4 4. Accomplishments Since the 2005 Comprehensive Plan...... 7 5. History of Alabaster...... 10

Community Profile...... 13 1. Demographic Summary...... 14 2. Land Use and Development Trends...... 20 3. Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources...... 33 4. Mobility...... 39 5. Utilities and Infrastructure...... 48 6. Community Facilities and Services...... 55 7. Image and Identity...... 59

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 3 List of Figures Figure 1-1: Study Area Map...... 3 Figure 2-1: Population Change, 1990-2014...... 14 Figure 2-2: Population Change, 2000-2014...... 15 Figure 2-3: Population Projections, 2000-2040...... 15 Figure 2-4: Age Distribution, 1990-2014...... 16 Figure 2-5: Household by Household Income, 2014...... 17 Figure 2-6: Household by Disposable Income, 2014...... 18 Figure 2-7: Commute Shed Map showing the Place of Work for Alabaster Residents...... 19 Figure 2-8: Existing Land Use Map...... 21 Figure 2-9: Existing Zoning Map...... 25 Figure 2-10: Prime Farmland Map...... 28 Figure 2-11: Character Area Map...... 30 Figure 2-12: Siluria Mill...... 31 Figure 2-13: Medical Mile...... 32 Figure 2-14: Hydrology Map...... 34 Figure 2-15: Slopes Map...... 35 Figure 2-16: Functional Classification .Map ...... 41 Figure 2-17: Railroads and At-Grade Railroad Crossings...... 43 Figure 2-18: Roadway Segments under Study...... 45 Figure 2-19: Water Infrastructure Map (2004)...... 49 Figure 2-20: Sewer Infrastructure Map...... 50 Figure 2-21: Broadband Coverage Map...... 53 Figure 2-22: Parks and Open Space Map...... 58

All figures, tables, and images are produced by RPCGB, unless specifically noted.

4 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions List of Tables Table 2-1: 2000 to 2014 Population Change...... 14 Table 2-2: Comparative Racial Composition (2010)...... 16 Table 2-3: Existing Land Use (2015)...... 23 Table 2-4: Existing Zoning by District (2014)...... 23 Table 2-5: General Characteristics of Zoning Districts...... 24 Table 2-6: Prime Farm Land in Alabaster...... 27 Table 2-7: Endangered and Threatened Species in Shelby County...... 37 Table 2-8: Roadway Level of Service...... 46 Table 2-9: SR 119 Roadway Segment Level of Service...... 47 Table 2-10: Percent of Alabaster Population with Broadband Internet Access...... 52 Table 2-11: Wireless Broadband Provider Speeds...... 54 Table 2-12: School Enrollment for the 2014-2015 School Year...... 55 Table 2-13: Police Department Sworn Personnel (2015) ...... 55 Table 2-14: Police Department Equipment (2015)...... 56 Table 2-15: Fire Department Personnel (2015)...... 56 Table 2-16: Fire Department Equipment (2015)...... 56 Table 2-17: Alabaster Recreational Facilities...... 57

All figures, tables, and images are produced by RPCGB, unless specifically noted.

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 5 6 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Introduction CHAPTER 1 to the City of Alabaster

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 1 Introduction to the City of Alabaster

1. Introduction

1.1. Introduction to the City of Alabaster The City of Alabaster Comprehensive Plan, which has been branded as Alabaster Forward, is the cooperative effort between the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) and the City of Alabaster, the Irondale Commercial Development Authority and the Greater Irondale Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of this plan is to ensure that City of Alabaster can be prepared for future growth and change from 2015 through 2040. A Comprehensive Plan is used as a guide to decision-making about the natural and built environment. The plan is used as a guide to making decisions regarding land use, development, growth management and capital improvements. More information on the purpose of a Comprehensive Plan can be found in the next section.

The purpose of this Existing Conditions report is to document, or take a “snap shot” of the existing conditions and trends within the City of Alabaster. The information in this document will allow the City of Alabaster to better understand its residential and non-residential development pattern, thus enabling the City to plan for the delivery of services and infrastructure to accommodate future residential and economic growth.

1.2. Regional Context The City of Alabaster is located around the intersection of U.S. 31 and State Route (SR) 119 in northwestern Shelby County, approximately 15 miles south of Downtown Birmingham. Shelby County is home to many of the suburban bedroom communities of metropolitan Birmingham, and in 2014 was the fourth fastest growing county in the State of Alabama. Neighboring county jurisdictions include St. Clair, Talladega, Coosa, Chilton, Bibb, and Jefferson Counties. Alabaster is the largest Shelby County municipality by population, and the fourth largest city in the Birmingham Metropolitan Area. The four neighboring municipal jurisdictions include Calera to the southeast, Helena to the northwest, Pelham to the northeast and Montevallo to the south.

1.3. Historical Development Patterns

Economic Patterns Manufacturing and mining represented the main areas of industry in the region until the 1970s. Prior to 1927, the Buck Creek Cotton Mill was the major employer in Alabaster. In 1927, the Alabaster Lime Plant opened. Alabaster would remain a small mining and manufacturing hamlet until the 1970s. As the City’s population began to grow, more commercial development began to occur within the municipality. Two of the more visible examples of commercial growth include the Propst Promenade shopping center off Interstate 65 (I-65) at U.S. 31 and Whitestone Center off SR 119.

Residential Patterns The Siluria Mill area, adjacent to the new City Hall and Senior Center, is a historic neighborhood which formerly housed mill workers and has some of the oldest homes in the area. However, many of these homes are in need of investment and major renovation. The Siluria Mill area sits on a traditional grid pattern street layout.

Alabaster’s residential population has flourished since 1960. The suburban city saw a particular boom in residents during the 1970s and 1980s with the opening of new manufacturing jobs and the move of more workers to the area. The densest concentration of residential land use is located north and south of County Road 44 (1st Avenue), along County Road (CR) 95 and between Buck Creek and CR 264, where most of the first subdivisions were built in Alabaster. Since 2005, the five residential subdivisions of Silver Creek, Meadow Farm, Maple Ridge, Sterling Park and Cross Creek, have been constructed. These subdivisions

2 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Introduction to the City of Alabaster

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Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 3 Introduction to the City of Alabaster

offer residents convenient access to the University of Montevallo, shopping, medical facilities, and major transportation arteries.

Commercial Patterns The commercial land use patterns in Alabaster are found along the major arterial highways and are located at prominent intersections, which is typical of most suburban communities in the United States. The heaviest concentration of commercial land use is located along the length of U.S. 31 from the northern city limits to I-65. Historically, the stretch of U.S. 31 between 2nd Street and SR 119 served as the Main Street and commercial heart of what is known as Downtown Alabaster.

East of I-65, along the southern stretch of U.S. 31 in the Saginaw community, commercial land use is intermittently mixed with a variety of different land uses and is less concentrated. Additional commercial land uses have already begun to extend down SR 119, from U.S. 31 to the southern city limits near Montevallo, and is transforming the character of the old mill village and the rural landscape south of CR 26 (Fulton Springs Road).

2. Planning Authority and Participants in Local Planning

2.1. Purpose Of A Comprehensive Plan A Comprehensive Plan is used as a guide to decision-making about the natural and built environment. The plan is used in guiding decisions regarding land use, development, growth management and capital improvements. It provides a framework for guiding public and private decisions that will affect new development as well as reinvestment in existing neighborhoods and business areas. A Comprehensive Plan is based on the residents’ vision of how they want their city to grow in the future— it is a long-term vision (typically covering 15 to 25 years) that may extend beyond the lifetime of those participating in drafting the plan. It is composed of a combination of maps, development policies and design guidelines.

2.2. Planning Authority In Alabama The Code of Alabama, 1975, Section 11-52- 2 authorizes and empowers municipalities to “plan”. This enabling legislation defines the system in which planning is performed by a local government. The local planning system for any city in Alabama consists of three main entities: the City Council, Planning Commission (or Board) and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. These bodies play unique parts in the establishment and administration of policies and regulations intended to maintain a positive quality of life for all citizens in the face of growth and change within the community.

The City Council, the elected legislative body of a municipality, is the major decision-making group within the planning system. The Council is responsible for the use of public revenues to provide and expand local services and facilities (roads, water, sewer, parks, meeting facilities, etc.), a pivotal element in the growth of any community. By establishing a “plan” and a “local planning system”, a city creates a framework in which all decisions are based on community policy and goals for the city’s future, including the ways in which private property is developed.

As provided by State Code, zoning and land subdivision regulations are the two major areas a city may regulate to ensure positive growth. The Planning and Zoning Board creates and adopts the zoning and subdivision regulations, which are then adopted as law by the Council. In administering zoning regulations, all bodies of the local planning system may play a part. The Planning and Zoning Board interacts with the citizen/developer, the Planning and Zoning Board hears zoning requests and submits recommendations to the City Council, which makes the final decision. In this process, a decision or order from a City official may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

2 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Introduction to the City of Alabaster

The Zoning Board of Adjustment is intended to ensure that the interpretation and enforcement of zoning regulations does not unfairly affect the use of property. In contrast to the way zoning includes all these groups, land subdivision regulations are controlled exclusively by the Planning and Zoning Board. In order that the local planning system works efficiently and follows the “vision” of the community, it is important that all of the players be familiar with the policies of the Comprehensive Plan; that land regulations support these policies; and that interpretation and enforcement of regulations are in concert with the overall intent of the Comprehensive Plan.

2.3. Relationship Of The Comprehensive Plan To The Zoning Ordinance The Comprehensive Plan guides land use decisions and becomes the foundation of zoning and subdivision choices that are made by the Planning and Zoning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Alabaster’s first Zoning Ordinance was adopted and approved by the City Council on June 16, 1998. The Zoning Ordinance is part of the City’s Code and regulates the type, scale and intensity of development that may occur in the specific zoning districts. To fully understand how a parcel of land can be used, one needs to know how the land is planned in the Comprehensive Plan, and then determine how the land is zoned.

The Comprehensive Plan should not be confused with zoning (see Table 1.1). Zoning is a legal mechanism enacted by the whereby land is classified according to specified uses, whereas the Comprehensive Plan is a guide for future growth and development. Zoning is the tool utilized by the City to influence and direct the development of the community to reflect the direction and desired form specified by the Comprehensive Plan. The City’s Zoning Ordinance is one tool used to implement the vision, goals, policies and actions of the Comprehensive Plan. Although they should not be confused with each other, the official Zoning Map and the Comprehensive Plan are tied together as zoning regulations should be adopted in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. While the Comprehensive Plan itself does not change the Zoning Ordinance or zoning of any property, some of the Plan recommendations will be implemented through text and map amendments. Just as changing the Comprehensive Plan for a parcel of land requires a Comprehensive Plan amendment, changing the zoning for that parcel requires a rezoning application.

Table 1.1: Comprehensive Plan vs. Zoning Ordinance Comprehensive Plan Zoning Ordinance Provides general policies, a guide. Provides specific regulations, the law. Describes what should happen in the long-term – Describes what is and what is not allowed today, based recommended land use for the next 20 years, not on existing conditions. necessarily the recommended use for today. Includes recommendations that involve other agencies Deals only with development-related issues under and groups. control. Predictable, fairly rigid, requires formal amendment to Flexible to respond to changing conditions. change. General Land Use Categories (e.g., residential, Zoning Districts (e.g., R1 Residential, C-1 Business Zone) commercial) General Land Use Locations Parcel specific zoning designations Base document, declaration of goals Implementation of goals/plans

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 3 Introduction to the City of Alabaster

3. General City Government Background

The City of Alabaster has over 50 dedicated employees focused on providing stellar service to the citizens, businesses and visitors of Alabaster. The Mayor is responsible for all city employees and he oversees the strategic direction of all departments. All department heads report to the Mayor. The City of Alabaster departments and services includes: Building Safety, City Manager/City Clerk, Environmental Services, Fire Department, Human Resources, Municipal Court. Parks and Recreation, Police Department, Public Works, Revenue Department, Treasury/Finance Department, and the Library Department. Details of the services provided by these city departments is included in Section 3 of this Chapter. A description of the duties and roles of the City Council and City Manager/City Clerk is listed below.

3.1. City Council A seven member Council governs the City of Alabaster. The Council is comprised of the Mayor and Council members who have been elected to serve a one year term. The Mayor and Council members are the leaders and policy makers in the community elected to represent various segments of the community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to residents’ needs and requests. Duties of the Council include establishing goals and policies, enacting legislation, adopting the City’s operating budget, and appropriating the funds necessary to provide service to the City’s residents, businesses, and visitors.

Alabaster City Council meetings are held every second or fourth Monday of each month at 7PM. City Council meetings take place at City Hall located at 1953 Municipal Way. City Council meetings are open to the public and adhere to the Alabama Open Meetings Act. In addition to regular city council meetings, city council work sessions and committee meetings are held at various times throughout the month. Work sessions are designed to allow the Council to talk on a more in depth level about issues. The Council takes no formal actions at a work session.

The public is provided a 24 hour notice of any city council meeting via notifications posted at Alabaster City Hall.

3.2. City Departments

Building Safety The Department of Building Safety is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Codes adopted by the City encompassing hazards that may be imposed on the built environment. The Department oversees the building permit process for all construction, from new to renovations, within the jurisdiction of the City of Alabaster; both residential and commercial. Within the Department, Planning and Zoning coordinates all proposed projects for the City of Alabaster, both residential and commercial, prior to the permitting phase.

Environmental Services The Environmental Services Department is divided into two operational units, Environmental Collections and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Environmental Collections personnel performs cleaning of the main sewer lines, and maintenance of pumps and pump stations, and taking video images of the main sewer which are used to ensure proper installations of lines in new subdivisions as well as a video record of sewer laterals.

Fire Department The Alabaster Fire and Rescue Department has three fire stations that are each staffed with a minimum of 4-personnel that are duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

4 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Introduction to the City of Alabaster

Human Resources The Human Resources Department handles all employment applications for the City of Alabaster government.

Municipal Court The Municipal Court handles traffic and non-traffic misdemeanor cases as well as parking tickets.

Parks and Recreation Department The Alabaster Parks and Recreation Department provides and maintains a system of eight parks and one trail for the residents of Alabaster, and provides nine organized sports programs (adult softball, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, flag football, football, girls softball, soccer and Start Smart).

Police Department The Alabaster Police Department operates out of this one central police station with approximately 84 people, 40 of whom are sworn police officers.

Public Works The Public Works Department provides maintenance of city streets, signs, minor road repairs, street lights, right of ways, drainage issues, emergency weather related issues, curb side pick-up of debris and contracted household garbage and recycling service.

Revenue The Department of Revenue administers issuance business licenses for those applying in Alabaster. The department handles tax filings related to the city.

Treasury / Finance The Treasury and Finance areas are responsible for the proper accounting and reporting of all revenues and expenses.

Library Department The Albert L. Scott library which is located at 100 9th Street NW. The Alabaster City Library was built in 1983, and is administered under the Shelby County Library system. The Library Board supervises the library and is appointed by the Alabaster City Council.

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 5 Introduction to the City of Alabaster

3.3. Established Boards and Commissions The City of Alabaster’s Boards and commissions offer citizens an opportunity to participate in local governmental affairs. Their activities help to shape or influence public policy in many areas. Although many boards and commissions are advisory, their influence and value can be significant. They make recommendations on a wide range of topics that come before the City Council. The following boards and commissions have been established in Alabaster:

• The Alabaster City Schools Board of Education consists of a five member board dealing with issues and decisions related to the six schools in the Alabaster School System. • The nine member Housing and Abatement Board is charged with dealing with housing demolition, construction, and abatement issues.

• Alabaster’s Industrial Development Board is a seven member board focused on the recruitment of retail, light industrial, and heavy industrial businesses to the Alabaster Area.

• The Planning and Zoning Commission consists of a nine member board dealing with requested zoning and planning changes in Alabaster.

• The City’s Water Board is unique in that it is independent of other City departments. The Board consist of two active City Council members plus three other members appointed by the Alabaster City council. The Board deals with all issues related to the City of Alabasters water supply.

• The Alabaster Zoning Board of Adjustments is a six member board dealing with adjustments to municipal zoning.

• The City’s Commercial Development Authority aims to promote economic development in Alabaster through various initiatives, economic incentives, and services.

6 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Introduction to the City of Alabaster

4. Accomplishments Since the 2005 Comprehensive Plan

The past 30 years have seen five Comprehensive Plans prepared for the City of Alabaster. Alabaster went through its first comprehensive planning process with the assistance of the Alabama Development Office in 1971. The second plan was prepared by the Birmingham Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) in 1978. The City participated in two planning processes in the 1990s (1990 and 1995), again with the assistance of the BRPC. The most recent Comprehensive Plan was last adopted on September 27, 2005. The following is a list of major accomplishments within the city since the 2005 Comprehensive Plan.

Propst Promenade Shopping Center Construction of the Propst Promenade Shopping Center Phase I was completed in 2005. Phase II was completed in 2007. The Center features 1,000,0000 square feet of shopping and represents the largest commercial shopping destination in Shelby County.

Propst Promenade Shopping Center (Source: Neal Wagner) Shelby Baptist Medical Center Expansion Shelby Baptist Medical Center is a 252-bed acute care facility located on U.S. 31 with over 1,000 employees. The $92 million “South Tower” expansion opened in 2009. The 167,712 square foot expansion allowed the hospital to upgrade all of its 50 semi-private rooms to 101 private patient rooms. Of the newly renovated rooms, 16 were dedicated to the intensive care unit. The expansion also included construction of a $15 million energy plant, a 370-space parking garage, a new chapel and the procurement of additional medical equipment.

Shelby Baptist Medical Center

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 7 Introduction to the City of Alabaster

New City Hall Completed in September 2013, the new Alabaster City Hall is approximately 20,000 square feet and is located at 1953 Municipal Way, off 11th Avenue in Siluria Mill. Improvements and enhancements to 11th Avenue were also made. The building facility houses several city departments including Building Services, Engineering, Accounting, Revenue and Administration, and includes a courtroom and a second floor that houses the Alabaster Board of Education offices. Prior to the new facility, the offices were spread out over several buildings in different parts of the city, including the City Hall building that was located off of U.S. 31, which now houses the Alabaster Police Department. The City Council and court had previously met in the City Hall Annex building.

Alabaster Senior Activity Center The 4,000 square foot Alabaster Senior Activity Center was completed in 2010, and is adjacent to the new City Hall in Siluria Mill. It is open to residents age 55 and older, and the center offers recreation and leisure programs, nutrition programs, health and exercise programs, outings and trips, expressive arts, speakers and education, cards and games and volunteer opportunities.

Alabaster Senior Center

Veterans Park The new 90 acre Veterans Park off of SR 119 features a disc golf course, dog park, skate park, a two mile walking and bike trail, two playground areas, nine covered pavilions, a concession stand, press box, five youth baseball/softball fields and batting cages.

Veterans Park (Source: Neal Wagner)

Medical Mile Branding / Professional Medical Offices The newly branded “Alabaster Main Street Medical Mile” is a 1.8 mile long corridor on U.S. 31 in the heart of Alabaster. It is anchored by the Shelby Baptist Medical Center, and the Medical Mile contains at least 300 medical offices for physicians, clinics and medical providers, and at least 1,000 health care professionals. The purpose behind Alabaster Main Street Medical Mile is to promote the convenient care located close to home by providing an easy way for patients to find a local medical care provider. Every provider on the mile is included in the directory at no charge to them. For more information visithttps://mainstreetmedicalmile. com.

8 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Introduction to the City of Alabaster

Alabaster City Hall (Source: Neal Wagner)

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 9 Introduction to the City of Alabaster

5. History of Alabaster The word “Alabaster” means a white mineral, calcite, or gypsum, and Alabaster received its name from the fact that it is situated on top of a large body of high calcium limestone. This large concentration of limestone was one of the primary resources that helped Alabaster to grow into a city. According to historical records, George L. Scott, Sr. opened the Alabaster Lime Plant in 1927.

Prior to 1927, the Buck Creek Cotton Mill was the major employer in Alabaster, and Thomas C. Thompson operated the Buck Creek Cotton Mill as early as 1890. The mill was located in the community of Siluria. The mill was later renamed Buck Creek Cotton Mills in 1911. Reports from that time stated the town had a “good school, “a “good church” and the town was “in good shape,” “clean” and “healthful.” In 1921, the town built a four-room high school. The school was named after Thomas Carlyle Thompson, therefore it was the beginning Thompson High School.

Siluria flourished while the cotton mill was in good standing. On May 25, 1954, Siluria was incorporated with a population of about 600 citizens. In 1959, a company from New York purchased the mill operating facility, factory site and mill village property. The name changed to Siluria Mills, Inc. In 1965, the mill’s name changed for the final time to Buck Creek Industries, Inc., and the mill village houses were sold to the employees. The operating facility and the factory site were sold in 1968, and the mill closed its doors in May 1979.

As subsequent Post-World War II suburban growth began to occur in the area, a need for incorporation and city services became apparent to its residents. In 1952, the first attempt to incorporate Alabaster failed, but the petition was filed again in January 1953 and city government was officially established on February 23, 1953. The Honorable George L. Scott, Jr. was the first major elected and dominated the early politics in Alabaster by serving for three consecutive terms. Since its birth in the early 1950’s, Alabaster has sprung to life as a bustling suburb within the greater Birmingham area.

10 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Introduction to the City of Alabaster

Old Buck Creek Mill

Old Main Street

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 11 12 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile CHAPTER 2

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 13 Community Profile

1. Demographic Summary

1.1. Population Change and Projection The City of Alabaster is approximately twenty-five square miles. With an estimated residential population of 31,566 and 11,067 households in 2014, there are 1,263 persons per square mile (1.97 per acre). The population in Alabaster has increased 39.6% since 2000, which is comparative to the Shelby County population that has increased by 42.9%. Despite this growth, the effects of the recession are evident in Alabaster. Between 2000 and 2010, Alabaster experienced an average annual population growth rate of 3.4%. Between 2010 and 2014 this rate decreased to 1.0%. This slowdown is largely attributable to the lingering effects of the 2008 national economic recession and housing market crisis. The modest growth rate is considered short-term and is not expected to indicate a reversal in the Alabaster housing market. It does, however, provide an opportunity for the City to implement a long-term strategy for managed growth before significant growth resumes. It is estimated that Alabaster’s population will continue to grow at a steady rate and will reach 49,739 in 2040 (see Table 2-1).

Table 2-1: 2000 to 2014 Population Change Alabaster Shelby County Alabama 2000 Population 22,619 143,293 4,447,100 2014 Population 31,566 204,723 4,885,854 % Population change 2000 to 39.6% 42.9% 9.9% 2014 Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2014 American Community Survey

1.2. Age Distribution The residential population of Alabaster is becoming slightly older. The median age has increased from 35.6 in 2010 to an estimated 36.2 in 2014. Like that of national trends, the senior age demographic is growing, albeit at a slower rate. As the “baby boomer” population continues to advance in age, their share of the population continues to increase in the City. Persons aged 60 years and older made up 9.9% of the total population in 1990. By 2010 that percentage increased to 13.8%, and is estimated to make up 15.6% in 2014. The percentage of residents aged 19 years or younger has decreased from 32.9% in 1990 to 30.6% by 2010, Figure 2-1: Population Change, 1990-2014

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Figure 2-2: Population Change, 2000-2014

Figure 2-3: Population Projections, 2000-2040

and it has remained relatively constant at an estimated 29.7% in 2014. Though the age group of 19 years and younger has experienced a slight decrease in total percent share, the total number has increased from 4,841 in 1990 to an estimated 9,375 in 2014, a 94% increase. The working age population, residents between the ages of 20 to 59 years, has also experienced a modest decrease in total percent share. The working age population made up 57.3% of the population in 1990, dropping to 55.6% in 2010 and to 54.7% in 2014. The total population of this age group, however, has increased from 8,439 in 1990 to an estimated 17,266 in 2014. The changing age characteristics within the City will translate to changing demands on city services and added market demands for goods and services.

1.3. Racial Composition The racial composition of Alabaster, according to the 2010 estimates, consisted of 79.4% of residents reported as White, 13.5% Black or African American, and 7.1% making up the remaining racial categories (see Table 2-2). Persons of Hispanic origin made up 9.0% of the population. When compared to the racial composition of Shelby County, Alabaster had 2.9% more residents who reported as Black or African American and 3.1% more residents who reported as being of Hispanic origin.

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 15 Community Profile

Figure 2-4: Age Distribution, 1990-2014

Table 2-2: Comparative Racial Composition (2010) Alabaster as a % of Race Alabaster Shelby County Shelby County White 24,103 79.4% 161,943 83.0% 14.9% Black or African- 4,105 13.5% 20,732 10.6% 19.8% American American Indian/ 124 0.4% 553 0.3% 22.4% Alaskan Native

Asian/ Pacific Islander 281 0.9% 3,800 1.9% 7.4%

Other 1,739 5.7% 8,057 4.2% 21.6% Hispanic Origin* 2,723 9.0% 11,567 5.9% 23.5% Total Population 30,352 100.0% 195,085 100.0% 15.6% *Defined as an ethnicity, not a racial category Source: 2010 U.S. Census

1.4. Household Size and Income Alabaster is a city with a 43.9% of households that have children. Alabasters’ average household size in 2014 was 2.83, compared to the Shelby County average household size of 2.60 and state average of 2.47.

Median household income in the City of Alabaster has increased from $39,740 in 1990 to an estimated $71,905 in 2014, an 81% increase. While general income trends have shown increases over time, the City of Alabaster has enjoyed a higher rate of increase than that within the State of Alabama and Shelby County. Since 2010 Alabaster residents have experienced a median household income increase of 6.8% while that of Shelby County has increased by 3.4% and the State of Alabama has essentially remained unchanged. This increase is due in part to comparably higher wage jobs, higher rates of economic mobility/ opportunity, and low unemployment.

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Figure 2-5: Household by Household Income, 2014

According to 2014 estimates, 12% of all Alabaster households earn under $25,000 per year and 31% of all households earn less than $50,000 per year. The 2014 estimated average income of households in Alabaster is $82,652 while the average income for Shelby County is $91,555. It is additionally estimated that nearly 9% of all households are below poverty (earning less than $19,790 in 2014 for a 3-person household) and 12% of households receive cash public assistance or food stamps/SNAP benefits. Poverty has an opposing effect on the economic vitality of a community. Individuals living in poverty are often at risk of adverse consequences such as poor health and criminal activity which result in reduced labor market participation. Poverty impacts the development of skills, abilities, knowledge and habits that are necessary for active participation in the workforce. Human capital is a fundamental component of economic growth and poverty can work against the development of economic growth by stifling the ability to contribute to the economy.

Disposable income, also called surplus income, is the amount of household funds available for spending and saving after paying taxes. The amount of disposable income is an important indicator for the economic health of an area, and it is used to gauge the investment viability of business activity. The amount of income remaining for discretionary spending does not include expenditures on housing, transportation, food, child care, etc., therefore the amount of truly disposable income, whether it is used for household savings or retail spending, is lower than may be indicated. The 2014 estimated average disposable income in the City of Alabaster is $66,688. For comparison, Shelby County’s average disposable income is an estimated $73,087 therefore the typical household in Alabaster possesses about 9% less disposable income than the typical household in Shelby County as a whole. With an estimated 50% of disposable income being spent on necessities such as housing, food and transportation, the remaining $33,344 represents the actual discretionary income available to the average Alabaster household.Figure 2-5 represents about 40% of the average household income in Alabaster.

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 17 Community Profile

Figure 2-6: Household by Disposable Income, 2014

According to 2014 estimates of household disposable income, 6% of Alabaster households possess less than $15,000 in disposable income, and 15% possess less than $25,000. However, nearly 60% of Alabaster households have $50,000 or more in disposable income (see Figure 2-6). Of these households, the majority are householders between the ages of 34 and 54 years. Conversely, young householders under 25 years and senior householders 75 years and older possess the least amount of disposable income with 12% and 17%, respectively, who retain less than $15,000 in disposable income. 1.5. Educational Attainment Education and income are undeniably linked. Alabaster is competitive in terms of educational attainment. 20.9% of Alabaster adults over age 25 hold a high school diploma, which is higher compared to the 18.0% of adults in Shelby County, but lower than the 25.7% of adults statewide. 24.6% of Alabaster adults over the age of 25 hold a bachelor’s degree, compared to 27.9% of adults in Shelby County, and 14.3% statewide. Since 2000, educational attainment in Alabaster has remained mostly the same. Between 2000 and 2014, the proportion of total population with only a high school degree or higher increased by 2.8 percentage points and the proportion with a bachelor degree or higher decreased by 0.7 percentage points.

An educated and skilled workforce is an economic development asset. Alabaster enjoys a well-educated and skilled workforce which increases the city’s competitive advantage when attracting new companies or expanding local businesses.

1.6. Community Profile Current commuting trends show that people are driving more places at longer distances. Average daily travel times for workers living in the City of Alabaster were reported to average 30.4 minutes in 2013 with nearly 4,800 (32%) of employed residents commuting in excess of 40 minutes to work each day. By creating a better balance between jobs and housing units, travel distances for Alabaster workers can be reduced while adding additional residential appeal to the community.

Land use and development patterns have had impacts on Alabaster. With an estimated 23% of employed residents of Alabaster working in Alabaster, 77% of Alabaster workers commute elsewhere to their jobs. A commute shed analysis of Alabaster (as shown in Figure 2-7) shows that residents travel throughout

18 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Figure 2-7: Commute Shed Map showing the Place of Work for Alabaster Residents !H

Pinson Concentrations of employment locations of !H Clay Argo !H !H Alabaster residents Gardendale Graysville !H West Jefferson !H ¦¨§59 !H Cardiff Center Point !H !H Trussville less !H Broomksidoere !H Fultondale ¦¨§65 !H Adamsville !H Tarrant !H !H J E F F E R S O N

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Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 19 Community Profile

the Birmingham metropolitan planning area to reach their jobs. Primary commuting destinations include Birmingham (23%), Hoover (16%), Pelham (12%), and Homewood (6%). A more detailed analysis of the workplace destinations of Alabaster commuters includes the Birmingham City Center and Southside areas (UAB), the Riverchase Parkway, Bell South and Southgate Village areas of Hoover, and the Cahaba Valley Business Park, Commerce Boulevard, and Oak Mountain Marketplace areas of Pelham.

A ratio of jobs to housing is commonly used to express the concept of jobs-housing balance. It represents a measure between employment and housing. A balance of 1:1 is considered ideal, but such a balance can be an unrealistic expectation for some suburban communities. Alabaster’s jobs-to-housing ratio is faring well at 8:9 (10,500 jobs/ 11,748 units) and jobs-to-employed residents at 2:3 (10,500 jobs/ 16,067 employed residents). Over time, the market is likely to correct this slight imbalance, though opportunities exist for the City to actively recruit businesses that would bring more and higher wage jobs to Alabaster. Job growth and growth in higher paying jobs in particular, will have a positive effect on the demand for housing in Alabaster.

2. Land Use and Development Trends This section analyzes the current land uses, development patterns and zoning in Alabaster. Understanding land use patterns in Alabaster helps the City identify areas for new and infill development. In addition to identifying locations for various developments, land use patterns also help the City determine where to focus future infrastructure and services.

2.1. Existing Land Use There is a total of approximately 16,077 acres of land (25.1 square miles) within the current city limits of Alabaster. Today, 70% of Alabaster’s total land area has been developed. Existing land use in Alabaster is shown in Figure 2-8, and Table 2-3 details the breakdown of acreage by land use within the city limits. The existing land use classifications are defined below.

Agriculture/Forestry The agriculture / forestry land use classification is defined as land that is primarily used for forestry, farming, low density residential, and other agriculturally related uses, including farm animals. Not many true agricultural areas exist in Alabaster now due to suburbanization. Agricultural and forestry land use patterns are primarily seen in the southern and eastern areas of Alabaster and serve as greenbelt buffers between Calera and Montevallo.

Commercial Alabaster’s existing commercial category has a variety of uses, development intensities, and characteristics. Commercial land uses are areas of the community designed to provide jobs, services, and economic vitality to the City. Establishments include retail sales and service, automobile sales or service, finance and insurance, business, professional, scientific and technical services, food services, and personal services. The heaviest concentration of commercial land use is associated with the Propst Promenade at I-65 and U.S. 31. Historically, the stretch of U.S. 31 between 2nd Street and SR 119 served as the Main Street and commercial heart of what is known as Downtown Alabaster. Commercial uses today extends along U.S. 31 to the northern city limits. Commercial uses have also extended down SR 119 from U.S. 31 to the southern city limits near Montevallo. The largest concentration of commercial land use on SR 119 is located in the vicinity of Kent Dairy Road, at the White Stone Center, which is anchored by Publix Supermarket.

Industrial The industrial land use classification is defined as manufacturing establishments such as plants, factories, and mills that employ power driven machines, materials, handling equipment, and workers who create new products by hand. The industrial land use pattern in Alabaster is located along the CSX railway, along I-65 and

20 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Figure 2-8: Existing Land Use Map

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Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 21 Community Profile

along U.S. 31 between 1st Avenue West and CR 66 (Industrial Road). The largest concentration of industrial land in Alabaster is associated with Shelby West Corporate Park, which is a 400 acre commerce, industry and technology park on I-65 at Exit 234, which is home to the Hibbett Sports distribution center.

Institutional The institutional land use classification is includes uses used by public agencies of federal, state and local government and those uses associated with community services, such as fire stations, schools, libraries, community centers, hospitals, civic buildings, churches and cemeteries. The institutional land use pattern in Alabaster is primarily located along U.S. 31 at the Shelby Baptist Medical Center, at the site of the new City Hall and Senior Center in Siluria Mill, and along SR 119 between CR 264 (Thompson Road) and CR 12 (Butler Road) at the Intermediate school, post office, churches, and cemeteries. The area off of CR 264 (Thompson Road) and off of Kent Dairy Road, where Thompson High School and Thompson Middle School are located, represents another concentration of institutional land uses.

Mining The mining land use classification primary includes establishments that extract natural mineral solids, liquid minerals, and gases. Mining includes quarrying, well operations, beneficiating, and other preparations performed at the mine site, or as a part of the mining activity. Mining operations are very nominal to non- existent within the actual corporate limits of Alabaster. The predominant mining operation in Alabaster is the Cheney Lime and Cement Company, which is located along Old U.S. 31 and CR 26.

Recreational The recreational land use classification is defined as establishments that operate facilities or provide services for a variety of cultural, entertainment, and recreational functions such as ball fields, active and passive parks, golf courses, wildlife management areas, and museums. The recreational land use pattern in Alabaster is generally found adjacent to major highways and within large neighborhoods and floodplain areas. The largest concentration of recreational land use within Alabaster is at Veterans Park, located on SR 119, and along Buck Creek where Buck Creek Park and Buck Creek Trail are located. In addition to city parks, recreational open space is often provided in large, master planned communities such as Lake Forest, Weatherly, Grande View and Stage Coach Trace. Alabaster is also located between two very large recreational areas: the Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area to the west and Oak Mountain State Park to the northeast.

Residential Residential areas have a variety of characteristics, densities and vary enough to recommend differing residential development types. This land use is defined by single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, manufactured homes, and housing for the elderly. Residential land use it the predominant land use in Alabaster, and is found primarily west of I-65, U.S. 31, and SR 119. The densest concentration of residential land use is located to the east and west of CR 95 (9th Street NW), to the east and west of CR 264 (Thompson Road), between 4th Avenue and CR 44 (1st Avenue W.), and to the north and south of CR 12 (Butler Road), and along CR 17, on the west side of Alabaster. These areas are where most of the first subdivisions occurred in Alabaster.

The Simmsville area is located along CR 11 (Simmsville Road), between U.S. 31, the CSX railway and I-65, and contains the largest concentration of haphazard residential land use patterns in Alabaster. East of I-65, the largest area of residential land use is located south of CR 11 (Simmsville Road) in the Weatherly subdivision. The five residential subdivisions of Silver Creek, Meadow Farm, Maple Ridge, Sterling Park and Cross Creek, have been constructed since 2005.

22 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Undeveloped The undeveloped land use classification is defined as land that has not been developed for a particular use and includes woodlands not in any use and undeveloped portions of residential subdivisions, shopping centers, and industrial parks. Large areas of undeveloped land still exist in Alabaster. Utilities / Transportation The utilities and transportation land use classification includes the main transportation, infrastructure, and utilities of Alabaster. Utilities are elements such as sewer, water, gas, telecommunications, and electrical infrastructure, and their associated easements. The transportation element includes all major road classifications, pedestrian infrastructure, parking areas, street signs, and wayfinding components.

Table 2-3: Existing Land Use (2015) Category Percent Acreage Agriculture / Forestry 4% 573 Commercial 4% 600 Industrial 7% 1,059 Institutional 4% 598 Mining 2% 341 Recreational 3% 406 Residential 42% 6,069 Undeveloped 33% 4,701 Utilities / Transportation 11.05% 1,730 Total: 100% 16,077

2.2. Zoning The current zoning in Alabaster is dominated by various residential categories, except for the Light Industrial District (M-1), that lies along the interstate and railroad in the southeastern portion of the city. The largest residential zoning district is the R-3 Single Family District, which requires a minimum lot area of 10,000 square feet, and covers approximately 3,970 acres of land. Existing zoning in Alabaster is shown onFigure 2-9. Table 2-4 details the breakdown of acreage by zoning district within the city limits. The current zoning district classifications in Alabaster and their general characteristics are highlighted in Table 2-5.

Table 2-4: Existing Zoning by District (2014) Zoning Classification Percent Acreage Agriculture District [A] 6% 932 Single Family Estate District [E] 7% 1,146 Single Family District [R-1] 1% 207 Single Family District [R-2] 5% 815 Single Family District [R-3] 25% 3,971 Residential Patio/Garden District [R-4] 5% 790 Two Family District [R-5] 0.07% 11 Multifamily District [R-6] 1% 193 Townhouse District [R-7] 1% 103 Manufactured and Mobile Home [R-8] 3% 552 Institution District [I] 5% 775 Office District [B-1] 0.19% 30

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 23 Community Profile

Zoning Classification Percent Acreage Neighborhood Business District [B-2] 0.31% 50 Community Business District [B-3] 7% 1062 General Business District [B-4] 0.29% 47 Central Business District [B-5] 0.02% 3 Light Industrial District [M-1] 9% 1,514 Heavy Industrial District [M-2] 1% 103 Mobile Home Park and Subdivision District [MHD] 1% 92

Municipal Reserve [MR] 7% 1085 Planned Single Family Residential District [PRD-1] 7% 1,065 Planned Attached Residential District [PRD-2] 0.59% 95

Planned Neighborhood Commercial [PCD-1] 0.01% 2 Planned Commercial District (PCD-2) 0.03% 5

Planned Industrial District [PID] 0.46% 74

Land Not Zoned (i.e. transportation and utility easements) 8% 1,355 TOTAL 100% 16,077

Table 2-5: General Characteristics of Zoning Districts Minimum Lot Minimum Minimum Maximum Building Zoning Classification Area/ Maximum Livable Lot Width Height Density Floor Area 1,000 square Agriculture District [A] 3 acres 150 feet 35 feet feet Single Family Estate 2,400 1 acre 150 feet 35 feet Residential District [E] square feet

Single Family 20,000 100 feet 35 feet 2,000 District [R-1] square feet square feet Single Family 15,000 1,600 90 feet 35 feet District [R-2] square feet square feet Single Family 1,400 10,000 square feet 80 feet 35 feet District [R-3] square feet Residential 1,400 7,000 square feet 60 feet 35 feet Patio/Garden District [R-4] square feet 1,200 Two-Family District [R-5] 7,500 square feet 60 feet 35 feet square feet 800 square 4,000 square feet per Multi-Family District [R-6] 35 feet 35 feet feet residence. per unit 1,000 square 8 dwellings Townhouse District [R-7] 18 feet 35 feet feet per gross acre per unit

24 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Figure 2-9: Existing Zoning Map

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Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 25 Community Profile

Minimum Lot Minimum Minimum Maximum Building Zoning Classification Area/ Maximum Livable Lot Width Height Density Floor Area Manufactured and 1,200 square 10,000 square feet 80 feet 35 feet Mobile Home District [R-8] feet 60 feet (30 feet when any portion of the property Institution District [I] None 40 feet adjoins a single-family None or two-family residential district) 60 feet (30 feet when any portion of the property Office District [B-1] None 40 feet adjoins a single-family None or two-family residential district) 60 feet (30 feet when any 2,500 square portion of the property Neighborhood Business None feet per adjoins a single-family None District [B-2] establishment or two-family residential district) 60 feet (30 feet when any portion of the property Community Business None 50 feet adjoins a single-family None District [B-3] or two-family residential district) 60 feet (15 feet if adjoining General Business District property is zoned B-4, M-1 None None None [B-4] or M-2, unzoned or right-of- way exceeds 40 feet) Central Business District None None 30 feet None [B-5] 60 feet (30 feet when any Light Industrial District portion of the property None None None [M-1] adjoins residential district) 60 feet (30 feet when any Heavy Industrial District portion of the property None None None [M-2] adjoins residential district) Mobile Home Park and 7,500 square feet 50 feet 20 feet None Subdivision District [MHD]

Approximately 8% of the city’s land is zoned as a Planned Development District (PDD). The PDD zoning districts are scattered throughout the city, with larger PDDs located mostly in the fringe areas (usually associated with large development projects) and smaller PDDs along major corridors. A PDD is a method of development that permits more than one use to be developed on a tract of land, in accordance with an approved master development plan. The intent of at PDD is to create community, permit flexibility, promote efficient use of land, combine and coordinate uses, building forms and relationships, architectural styles and circulation systems, and preserve and enhance significant natural features. PDDs are allocated to one or more of the following:

26 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

• Planned Single Family Residential District (PRD-1) - Detached single-family residential dwellings • Planned Attached Residential District (PRD-2) - Same permitted uses as in the R-5, R-6 and R-7 districts. • Planned Office and Institution District (POD) - Same permitted uses as in the Institution District and the B-1 district. • Planned Neighborhood Commercial District (PCD-1) - Same permitted uses as in the B-2 district. • Planned Commercial District (PCD-2) - Same permitted uses as in the B-3 district. • Planned Industrial District (PID) - Permitted uses include: any use permitted in the B-4 Business District; manufacturing, fabricating, processing, or assembling uses; utility uses; vehicle towing services, with vehicle storage is screened from view from off the premises; veterinarian clinics and animal boarding with outdoor kennels; similar light industrial uses.

Approximately 7% of the land in the city lies within the Municipal Reserve District (MR), which is intended to serve as a holding district for property that has recently been annexed by the City of Alabaster. All uses in existence at the time of annexation may lawfully continue until rezoned.

2.3. Prime Farmland Prime farmland, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is available for these uses. It could be cultivated land, pastureland, forestland, or other land, but it is not urban land, developed land, or in water areas. Prime farmland has a dependable water supply, plenty of moisture, favorable temperature and growing season, acceptable PH, and little rocks. Within the city limits of Alabaster, approximately 11.2 percent of the land is considered prime farmland (see Table 2-6).

Table 2-6: Prime Farm Land in Alabaster Category Percent Acreage Prime Farmland 11.2% 1,800 Not Prime Farmland 88.8% 14,277 Total: 100% 16,077

2.4. Character Areas Character area planning is rooted in the idea that cities are made up of unique places with distinct functions and purpose, physical identities and social interests. Breaking a city into its component “Character Areas” encourages a better understanding of what a city is and how its parts interrelate, helps to facilitate a more manageable process to create a common vision for future growth, and helps organize strategies for capital improvements, programs and policies that implement the vision.

The seven Character Areas described below and shown in Figure 2-11 for the City of Alabaster have been based on three primary sets of factors: 1) areas of similar character, development time period, development types, and/or unique traits; 2) geographic zones that represent aggregations of stakeholder issues; and 3) areas that the community envisions developing in a coordinated fashion.

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 27 Community Profile

Figure 2-10: Prime Farmland Map

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28 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Propst Promenade One of the most identifiable shopping areas of Alabaster, the Propst Promenade is a lifestyle center that provides modern outdoor shopping to citizens. It opened in 2005 and is located on U.S. 31 at I-65 (Exit 238 off of I-65). The 1,000,000 square foot shopping center is one of the largest in Alabaster, offering many specialty stores, as well as a Walmart Super Center and Belks Department Store, and a variety of restaurants and financial institutions. It provides diversity to the cities retail, and is a strong economic source for the city.

The Propst Promenade generates a large number of car trips since it is a destination for employment and retail. The intensity of vehicular traffic creates the need for parking, and reduces the amount of potential greenspace. However, the lifestyle center could benefit from a plan to improve pedestrian transportation and connectivity – currently pedestrians must get in their car to cross the U.S. 31 intersection to reach additional shopping in the North Promenade.

Historic Downtown Historically, the stretch of U.S. 31 between 2nd Street and SR 119 served as the Main Street and commercial heart of what is now known as Downtown Alabaster. Many of the original 1930 structures still exist, and should be promoted, preserved and enhanced. Several factors are constraints for future development, including the CSX railway, heavy traffic on U.S. 31 and a shortage of space.

Medical Mile The Medical Mile corridor is approximately a 1.8 mile corridor along U.S. 31 between County Road 68 and State Route 119 that connects residents and the surrounding community to hundreds of medical, office and retail services. Currently, 20% of businesses and 73% of jobs in Alabaster are located along the Medical Mile. The largest employers include Shelby Baptist Medical Center (1,100 employees), Shelby Ridge Rehabilitation Center (200 employees), and Cardiovascular Associates PC (200 employees). The corridor has a significant amount of vehicular traffic with little connectivity for pedestrians. As development continues to occur along the U.S. 31 corridor, connectivity to both sides of the U.S. 31, as well as pedestrian walkways will be critical. Finally, this character area is of particular importance as it is a “gateway” to Alabaster and because it runs through the heart of the city.

State Route 119 Corridor The largest concentration of commercial land use on SR 119 is located at the offset intersection of CR 26 (Fulton Springs Road), with the White Stone Center being one of the most notable commercial centers. The White Stone Center has a total 70,440 square feet of retail and specialty shops, anchored by a Publix grocery store. The commercial growth along this vital corridor will only continue to expand once roadway improvements are complete.

Siluria Mill Siluria Mill is home of the historic Buck Creek Cotton Mill between Buck Creek and a CSX rail spur. This area was once the Town of Siluria. Until the time that the Mill shut down in the 1970’s, it was the major employer in the area and the adjacent mill village housed many of the workers. Today, the old mill has been replaced by a new Alabaster City Hall and Senior Center, as well as other municipal properties. The old mill village still houses residents, but has been undergoing a steady transition into small, independent businesses and offices. This transition is expected to continue with the widening of SR 119. As Siluria Mill continues to develop, the historic mill and old jail should be preserved.

Saginaw Community The Saginaw community is located in southeastern Alabaster, on the east side of I-65 at the intersection of SR 70 and U.S. 31. Saginaw is mostly made up of medium sized to large single family homes built from 1970 to 2000. Saginaw’s prominent industries include the Saginaw Pipe Company, Saginaw Recycling and the Dravo Lime Company.

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 29 Community Profile

Figure 2-11: Character Area Map

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30 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

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Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 31 Community Profile

Figure 2-13: Medical Mile

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32 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Suburban Development The bulk of Alabaster is made up of single family detached houses, on half-acre lots. These neighborhoods definitively define the character of the city, as the landscape has shifted from rural agricultural to suburban residential. As of 2015, an estimated 25% of the land acreage in the city was residential in use. Overall, an estimated 98% of all residential land use is used for single family homes (about 28% of this large lot homes), just 3% is in multi-family use, and another 5% is used for mobile homes. The remaining 64% is occupied by lower and medium density housing units.

3. Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources

3.1. Water Bodies, and Watersheds Alabaster primarily lies within the Cahaba River-Buck Creek watershed, although southern and southeastern portions of the City lie within the Little Cahaba River and Waxahatchee Creek watershed. The main creeks in Alabaster are tributaries of the Cahaba River and include Buck Creek, Dry Creek, Peavine Creek and Johnson Branch. Presently, no waterway segment in Alabaster is listed as “impaired” on the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s (ADEM) 303(d) list, a list that is considered a priority for water quality improvement efforts. The City’s waterbodies consist of small residential lakes and ponds.Figure 2-14 depicts the existing hydrologic resources in Alabaster.

3.2. Floodplains Approximately 927 acres within the City of Alabaster lie within the 100-year flood. These areas present natural barriers to development. The most prominent area of flooding is associated with Buck Creek, but others include Dry Creek and Peavine Creek. Buck Creek generally follows the CSX railway and is centrally located in Alabaster. However, the flood prone areas indicated onFigure 2-14 are not static, and they can expand as land uses change over time. New commercial and residential developments increase the amount of impervious surfaces, which serve to increase the rate and velocity of surface water runoff into the waterways of Alabaster. Figure 2-14 represents the flood prone areas as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

3.3. Wetlands There are approximately 536 acres of wetlands present within Alabaster, all of which are vital to the overall health of the City’s ecosystem. Wetlands have many important functions including providing habitat, filtering and cleaning stormwater, collecting flood waters and providing areas for recreational opportunities. The city hosts three types of wetlands: 402 acres of freshwater forested/shrub wetlands (swamps, saturated seasonally), 99 acres of freshwater ponds (permeant/artificial saturation) and 35 acres of freshwater emergent wetlands (marshes/ areas prone to extended periods of saturation). Wetlands can primary be seen in central Alabaster, near Buck Creek Park, and along the peripheral edges of the city. The wetlands that are present in Alabaster are shown in Figure 2-14.

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 33 Community Profile

Figure 2-14: Hydrology Map

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34 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Figure 2-15: Slopes Map

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3.4. Slopes There are areas of steep slopes—20% and greater—in various locations in the City, particularly just east of CR 17 and in the CR 11 (Simmsville Road) area in the northeast portion of the city (SeeFigure 2-15). Areas of steep slope pose constraints for land development. Development on steep slopes tends to be more expensive than on flat land and can have unwanted impacts on stormwater drainage and exacerbate erosion. Alabaster’s topographic features have had a direct influence on the community’s past development pattern and will continue to be a factor in the City’s future growth. Although specific threshold criteria for steep slopes vary depending upon the type of development activity, the general slope thresholds are used to determine where slopes become a significant engineering and design constraint to development: • 0-5% Well suited to large-scale shopping center development and small-scale individual commercial structures, single and multi-family residences. Acceptable limit for construction of roads and railroads. • 5-10% Truck access becomes difficult and expensive when the slope exceeds 7%, and in areas of slope over 8% road routing is virtually dictated by the terrain. Small-scale, individual, commercial structures on slopes from 5 to 8% with virtually no parking demand or, if provided, with parking garages. • 10-15% Financially impractical for industrial, commercial and townhouse developments. Hillside subdivision for single-family homes and apartment construction is often feasible, with special care taken with design of access roads and parking areas. • 15-20% Point at which engineering costs for most developments become significant and extensive anchoring, soil stabilization, and stormwater management measures must be applied. Single-family homes and apartment construction is possible only if special care is taken in the design of access roads, parking areas, water supply, and sewage disposal. Any road design requires special care. • 20-25% Financially impractical for all development activity. All urban areas which require the construction of roads and the provision of utilities are both prohibitively expensive and extremely damaging to the terrain.

3.5. Plant and Animal Habitats The City of Alabaster is located in the Alabama Valley and Ridge physiographic region and has a diverse range of plant and animal habitats. Vegetation is predominantly oak-pine forests characterized by willow, birch, sycamore, oak, poplar, and hickory, maple and ash trees. Steeper slopes are dominated by pine trees. Listed below are some of the more ecologically rich areas of Alabaster.

• Limestone Park, located off U.S. 31, is recognized for its diverse wetlands, grasslands and Tupelo Gum Swamps. It is designated as one of the stops on the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail, which runs from the Little River Canyon to Ebenezer Swamp in Montevallo. It is noted as of the best birding sites in Alabama, with species such as the Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Bobolinks, Anhinga, Dickeissels, and Grasshopper Sparrows have been sighted. • Buck Creek Trail and Greenway, located near Siluria Mill, houses a collection of southeastern plant and animal communities. Native plant species include: oaks, American sycamores, maples, slash pines, eastern red cedars, and vining species. While invasive species include kudzu, privet, and bamboo, a collection of woodland critters have also be sighted such as raccoons, white tail deer, and beavers. • Tributaries of the Cahaba River run through the city. The Cahaba and its tributaries are noted as one of the only eight “hotspots of Biodiversity” out of 2,111 watersheds in the contiguous United States by the Nature Conservancy. Moreover, 135 fish species, 35 snail species and 50 known mussel varieties are known to occur within its boundary.

Table 2-7 lists the threatened and endangered species in Shelby County, whose habitats can be affected by new development.

36 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Table 2-7: Endangered and Threatened Species in Shelby County Listed Species in Shelby County Species Scientific Name Federal Status Birds Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Recovery Clams Orangenacre mucket Epioblasma othcaloogensis Threated Southern acornshell Epioblasma othcaloogensis Endangered Upland combshell Epioblasma metastriata Endangered Finelined pocketbook Lampsilis altilis Threated Ovate clubshell Pleurobema perovatum Endangered Southern clubshell Pleurobema decisum Endangered Triangular Kidneyshell Ptychobranchus greenii Endangered Alabama moccasinshell Medionidus acutissimus Endangered Southern pigtoe Pleurobema georgianum Endangered Fish Cahaba shiner Notropis cahabae Endangered Goldline darter Percina aurolineata Threated Flowering Plants Georgia rockcress Arabis georgiana Threated Mohr’s Barbara button Marshallia mohrii) Threated Gentian pinkroot Spigelia gentianoides Endangered Tennessee yellow-eyed grass Xyris tennesseensis Endangered Mammals Indiana bat Myotis sodalis Endangered Snails Tulotoma snail Tulotoma magnifica Threated Rough hornsnail Pleurocera foremani Endangered Cylindrical lioplax Lioplax cyclostomaformis Endangered Flat pebblesnail Lepyrium showalteri Endangered Painted rocksnail Leptoxis taeniata Threated Round rocksnail Leptoxis ampla Threated Source: http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/reports/species-by-current-range-county?fips=01117

3.6. Cultural Programs The City of Alabaster has a very active arts and culture scene. The Parks and Recreation Department provides activities for people of all ages at a variety of locations and times during the year. The following is a list of some of the programs provided:

Parks and Recreation Annual Events • City FEST is held in June and is organized by the City of Alabaster, members of the Arts Council, and volunteers. It is an all-day music festival that is open to the public, and draws 55,000- 75,000 visitors to Alabaster a year. In addition to music, the festival also features vendors of various arts,

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 37 Community Profile

foods, services, and a 5k run. 2015 marks the 11th year anniversary of this free event. • Movies in the Park is offered by the City of Alabaster and gives residents the chance to catch free family-friendly flicks at Veterans Park throughout the summer, every Friday. • Bark in the Park is held annually in October at Veterans Park and is an all-day affair featuring activities for pets and people including contest, music, a Mutt Strut and children’s activities. Bark in the Park is free and benefits the Shelby County Humane Society. 2015 marks the 7th anniversary of the event, with an annual 5,000 attendees each year. • Fall FEST is held annually at Buck Creek Park near the end of October and features arts and craft vendors, live music, inflatables, trick-or-treat trail and hay rides. • Trash to Treasures Extravaganza is an annual event that brings together 50 vendors, the City of Alabaster, and the surrounding community in an event that has been compared to a swap meet/ garage sale. Located at Buck Creek Park and Trial, in the spring, items both new and used are sold.

Parks and Recreation Athletics Services Senior Center Activities Offered • Adult Softball • Recreation and Leisure • Baseball • Nutrition Program • Basketball • Health and Exercise Programs • Cheerleading • Expressive Arts • Flag Football • Cards and Games • Girls’ Softball • Volunteer Activities • Soccer • Speakers and Education

Alabaster Arts Council The Alabaster Arts Council is a local nonprofit that provides a variety of services to the citizens of Alabaster, including: • Grants to local schools for art, music and drama programs • Funds for art and music programs specifically for Seniors • Funds for art and music programs for Alabaster’s EMPOWER Therapeutic Arts Program • Funds and facilitation to art programs for at-risk youth • Grants to local arts including the South City Theatre • Funds and labor for CityFEST

Albert L. Scott Library The Albert L. Scott Library provides supplementary educational opportunities for adults, seniors and children in Alabaster. Some of the programs they provide include: • Adult Book Club: a monthly book discussion group that meets the third Thursday of every month. • Masterpiece Book Club: a daytime book club that focuses on the classics of literature, every 2nd Friday of the month. • Adult Computer Classes: held every Wednesday, and features software like the Microsoft Office Suite. • Job Search Workshops: workshops include instruction on resume writing, interview tips, networking, social media, and finance. They are held periodically, for seniors 55+, and are sponsored by Aging Workers are Reliable Employees (AWARE). • Weekly Children’s Story Time + Book Club: a weekly book club open to children on Wednesday and Friday. • Special Guest Lectures

38 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

4. Mobility

4.1. Inventory of Facilities

Introduction The City of Alabaster is conveniently connected to the greater Birmingham region. The city’s residents rely primarily on private automobiles. Limited public transit opportunities are available to elderly citizens and individuals with disabilities via ClasTran. Manufacturing and other industrial businesses utilize the existing transportation infrastructure to move their goods. The city’s major transportation network includes two Class I railroads (that run along three distinct corridors through the city), the I-65 interstate corridor, U.S. Highway 31, and several state routes and county roads. Alabaster also has one major off-road non-motorized travel facility, the Buck Creek Trail, one on-road bicycle facility, and several pockets of sidewalks located in the historic downtown area and within residential subdivisions. However, sidewalks are not universally located in all residential communities.

Roadways and Roadway Functional Classification Roadways vary not only in width, design, cross-section, and traffic volume, but also in their function. Roads are classified by the federal government (U.S. Department of Transportation) and State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) according to the transportation function they provide to the community. The functional classification of a road describes the character of service the road is intended to provide. The various road classifications primarily serve two competing functions: access to property and travel mobility depending upon their purpose. The City of Alabaster has a total of approximately 197 miles of roadways grouped into four distinct roadway classifications: local roadways, collector roads, minor arterials and major arterials. These are shown in Figure 2-16.

Principal Arterials are major roadways primarily serving “through traffic,” conveying traffic to and from expressways and freeways, and having minimum direct service to abutting land. In some cases, principal arterial roadways provide direct access to adjacent properties. However, this can be problematic for traffic movement. Principal arterial roadways serving the City of Alabaster, totaling approximately 11.2 miles, include: • U.S. 31 • SR 119

Minor Arterials provide for movement within larger subareas that are bound by principal arterials. A minor arterial also may serve “through traffic,” but provides more direct access to abutting land uses than does a principal arterial. Minor arterial roadways serving the City of Alabaster, totaling approximately 4.1 miles, include: • CR 17 • CR 26 (east of I-65)

Collectors are roadways that serve often definable neighborhoods, which may be bound by arterials with higher classifications. As their name suggests, collector streets ideally “collect and distribute” local traffic, providing a link between local neighborhood streets (i.e. non-arterials) and larger arterials. A Collector Street may be a Major Collector or a Minor Collector. The City of Alabaster is served by approximately 20.05 miles of collectors. Collectors serve very little “through traffic”. They do, however, serve a high proportion of local traffic requiring direct access to abutting properties. • Major Collectors are public roadways that accumulate traffic from local streets and Minor Collectors for distribution to arterial (major or minor) roadways. A Major Collector may have commercial, residential or have mixed uses abutting. Major collectors within the City of Alabaster

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include: ▫▫ CR 11 (Simmsville Road) ▫▫ CR 68 ▫▫ CR 12 (Butler Road/Smokey Road) ▫▫ CR 87 ▫▫ CR 26 (Fulton Springs Road) ▫▫ CR 95 (9th Street NW) ▫▫ CR 44 (1st Avenue) ▫▫ CR 264 (Thompson Road) ▫▫ CR 66 (Industrial Road) ▫▫ Kent Dairy Road

• Minor Collectors are public roadways that accumulate traffic from local streets for distribution into arterial (major or minor) or major collector roadways. A minor collector typically has residential uses. However, it may also serve commercial or mixed uses. CR 80 (Mission Hills Road) within the City of Alabaster is a minor collector.

Local Streets are intended to provide little to no through traffic. They provide access to individual single- family residential lots, entry and exit to the neighborhood, and connectivity to collectors and thoroughfares. In short, all other roadways not previously listed are considered local streets. Eighty-two percent of all the roads in Alabaster are local streets, totaling approximately 162 miles.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Bicycle Facilities. The City of Alabaster’s current leadership has expressed its commitment to improving its bicycle facilities. City of Alabaster residents have consistently shown their interest in a well-developed bicycle network, and have expressed their desire to incorporate bicycle travel as part of the City’s overall transportation infrastructure, ensuring that cycling becomes a viable travel alternative. Despite this interest, the City only has 1.5 miles (approximate) of total directional on-street bicycle facilities. This consists of a marked bicycle lane (width: >4 feet) along Weatherly Club Drive between Glen Abbey Lane and Wembley Way/Belvedere Place. Weatherly Club Drive is located just off of County Road 11 running along the eastern boundary of the city beginning in the northeastern corner.

Pedestrian Facilities. Sidewalks provide a solid pedestrian foundation. There are some roadway segments that have sidewalks on one or both sides of the roadway. However, the majority of the roadways within the City of Alabaster have no sidewalks at all. The city policies prioritize the need for sidewalks and require that new residential development include sidewalks as part of the overall infrastructure package.

In addition to sidewalks, the City of Alabaster also maintains approximately 1 mile of gravel trail along the Buck Creek. Buck Creek Trail parallels the Buck Creek and SR 119 corridor as it passes through Siluria Mill. The trail connects Buck Creek Park and Warrior Park, linking the City of Alabaster’s Thompson Elementary and Intermediate schools, civic buildings (including the City of Alabaster Personnel Office, the Alabaster Senior Center, and the Alabaster City Hall), and the Siluria Mill neighborhood along the way. The City has plans to extend the Buck Creek Trail south approximately 2.5 miles to Veterans Park. The extended trail is planned to follow an existing sewer easement.

Public Transportation ClasTran is a regional transportation provider comprised of a consortium of county and local governments, and human service agencies. ClasTran primarily provides para-transit services for elderly and qualified disabled individuals who are participating in one of consortium member’s programs and for persons living in three (Jefferson, Shelby and Walker) of the six counties that make up the Greater Birmingham region, provided that these individuals live outside of the Birmingham Jefferson County’s fixed-route transit service boundaries. They also provide public transportation services i.e. services that are open to anyone residing in the rural areas of these three counties.

40 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Figure 2-16: Functional Classification Map Functional Classification Interstate Principal Arterial Minor Arterial Major Collector Minor Collector

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According to ClasTran records, the service provides an average of 25 trips/day to City of Alabaster residents. Approximately 430 riders/day have either trip origins or destinations within the City of Alabaster. ClasTran reports that City of Alabaster residents’ trip purposes include trips to medical services, shopping, social services and other activities. Trips made by Alabaster residents are made within the City of Alabaster, throughout Shelby County and across the Greater Birmingham region. ClasTran also provides access to the Alabaster Senior Center, bringing Shelby County’s senior residents (age 60+) who are actively participating in the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A) Senior Services program. The fare for riders using ClasTran is $4/one-way trip. In addition to ClasTran, Chilton County Public Transportation also provides demand responsive bus transit service to the Shelby Baptist Medical Center and the ancillary medical facilities and providers near the hospital. According to Chilton County Public Transportation’s records, 22 total trips were made to Shelby Baptist Medical Center in 2014. This equates to an average of 1.8 trips/month and an average of 2.4 riders per trip. The round trip fare for riders from anyplace in Chilton County to Shelby Baptist Medical Center is $20.

Railroads and Air Transportation While personal automobiles are the most common form of transportation, rail and air travel remain critical to the efficient movement of people and goods. More importantly, these facilities require specialized planning and development to ensure efficient operation and not adversely impact surrounding land uses.

Railroads. Railroad service has declined in priority in the United States since the 1950‘s, but is still crucial to several industries. Heavy rail is an integral part of modern industrial freight movement. Transportation planning must address available rail options and conditions not only for the benefit of the rail system, but also for points where rail service interacts (or intersects) other transportation systems.

Two (2) Class I rail facilities comprising three (3) active freight lines run in a north-south direction through the City of Alabaster. CSX operates two (2) major rail lines through the City of Alabaster, connecting the City of Mobile in South Alabama with the City of Chicago in the Great Lakes region. Norfolk Southern operates a single line through the western area of the city. These rail lines connect with intermodal facilities in Birmingham, and serve several of Alabaster’s and Shelby County’s quarries. While the City’s leaders and residents recognize the utility of these facilities, they also are desirous of finding some way to mitigate the impact of these rail lines on residential communities and local traffic. Both the CSX and Norfolk Southern rail lines cross major roadways at grade. The two eastern most rail lines that run through the City are owned by CSX, one of which mostly parallels U.S. 31. The rail line is so close to U.S. 31 that the signal timing at the intersection of U.S. 31 and CR 11/SR 119 is coordinated with the rail crossing gate’s signals. The fast moving trains present a problem for commuters during both the morning and afternoon peak travel hours in that trains often run during these travel periods. Although they are moving at a reasonable speed, the typical duration of a rail movement across the at-grade intersection is about 300 seconds (five minutes). This exacerbates the already long traffic delays, causing vehicles queues to exceed the turn bay storage capacity of the parallel roadway, and adding further to signal cycle failures. Figure 2-17 illustrates the CSX and Norfolk Southern rail corridors as they run through the City of Alabaster, and highlights the at-grade railroad crossings.

Airport. The City of Alabaster is served by the Shelby County General Aviation Airport. It is a public use general aviation facility located to the south of Alabaster, in the neighboring City of Calera. A portion of the airport’s runway is located within the City of Alabaster’s municipal boundaries. The Shelby County Airport is near the Shelby West Industrial Park and adjacent to I-65. The airport’s single runway parallels I-65 as well. It is accessible from the interstate at Exit 234 and CR 87. It also is accessible from CR 12. The airport is owned and managed by the Shelby County Commission.

42 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Figure 2-17: Railroads and At-Grade Railroad Crossings

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The Shelby County airport provides private general aviation air service including fuel sales and aircraft storage, and also harbors a local flight school. The airport features a single, asphalt paved runway at 5,000 x 75 feet. The runway is weight limited at 16,000 pounds. For the reporting period ending January 22, 2015, the Shelby County Commission indicated that there were1: • 79 - Total airplanes based on the field ▫▫ 72 – Single engine airplane ▫▫ 6 – Multi-engine airplanes ▫▫ 1 – Jet airplane • 57 – Daily aircraft operations (average), of which: ▫▫ 70% (39.9) – Classified as transient general aviation ▫▫ 29% (16.5) – Classified as local general aviation 1% (0.57) – Classified as military

4.2. Study Segments, Methodology and Performance Standards

Study Segments Traffic congestion and roadway safety are key concerns for the City of Alabaster. To address these concerns, metrics that accurately quantify the issues are required. Typically, traffic studies use an automobile Level of Service (LOS) methodology to describe traffic conditions and assess impacts. But this approach tells only part of the story. To present a balanced view of current traffic conditions for all roadway users in Alabaster, this report uses a range of metrics to document existing conditions, including intersection LOS, roadway segment volumes and roadway segment volume-to-capacity (V/C) ratio.

The roadway segments included in this study for further are identified below, and are highlighted in Figure 2-18. Traffic counts on the roadway segments were assembled from the Alabama Department of Transpor- tation traffic count website and the RPCGB traffic count database. Data assembled from these sources used the latest year available. A number of facilities were also counted using automatic traffic recorders (i.e. tube counts). These were collected over a 48-hour period on a typical weekday. • CR 11 (Simmsville Road) • CR 12 (Butler Road/Smokey Road) • CR 17 (North of CR 44/1st Avenue West) • CR 26 (Fulton Springs Road) • CR 44 (1st Avenue) • CR 66 (Industrial Road) • CR 68 • CR 87 • CR 95 (9th Street NW) • CR 264 (Thompson Road) • Kent Dairy Road

Generalized Level of Service Analysis The City of Alabaster’s existing transportation conditions were evaluated considering both roadway users’ quality/level of service (Q/LOS) and generalized roadway capacity. Quality of service is a traveler-based perception of how well a transportation service or facility operates.2 In traffic analysis, delay is a measure of quality of service to the road user. This quality of service is usually expressed as level of service (LOS). LOS is a quantitative stratification of quality of service into six letter grades, “A” to “F”, with “A” representing the best conditions and “F” representing the worst conditions. LOS provides a generalized planning measure

1. www.airnav.com 2. Quality/Level of Service Handbook. Systems Planning Office. Florida Department of Transportation. 2013

44 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

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of operating conditions that is experienced by motorists as they travel inside the roadway environment (essentially inside the right-of-way). In short, LOS is simply a quantitative breakdown of transportation quality of service (satisfaction) as measured by the transportation users’ perspectives.

It should be noted that the capacity analysis conducted for the City of Alabaster is specific to interrupted flow facilities. That is, travel facilities that have fixed causes of periodic delay or interruption to the traffic stream. This includes traffic control devices such as stop signs and traffic signals, as well as frequent access points such as driveways. Therefore, capacity on interrupted flow facilities can be defined in terms of persons per hour, passenger cars per hour, or vehicles per hour depending on the type of analysis or system element.

The levels of service for the study roadways are presented in Table 2-8. They are provided for contextual purposes. Note: Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) volumes were not available for CR 26 (Fulton Springs Road). As such, no LOS assessment was conducted along this road segment. Also note that the adjusted AADT was utilized in this analysis for data collected specifically for this project. These adjusted AADT were derived using ALDOT’s adjustment factors and applied to the ATR collected data.

Table 2-8: Roadway Level of Service AADT Road Name LOS Volume CR 11 (Simmsville Road) 6,948 a D County Road 12 (Butler Road / Smokey Road) 4,258 a C County Road 17 8,547 a D County Road 44 (1st Avenue W) 7,266 a D County Road 66 (Industrial Road) 15,040 a F County Road 68 5,211 b C County Road 87 4,998 c C County Road 95 (9th Street NW) 8,643 c D County Road 264 (Thompson Road) 8,016 b D Kent Dairy Road 10,004 a D a – RPCGB 2010 Traffic Counts; b – RPCGB 2013 Traffic Counts; c – 2014 Adjusted Average ATR collected data

In addition to the previously listed facilities, a generalized assessment of State Route 119 was conducted using the same methodology described above. State Route 119 was identified by elected officials and residents alike as being problematic in that there is a perception of congested conditions, specifically between County Road 26 and County Road 80. The City of Alabaster has secured $10 million in funding through the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP), and has plans to widen the current two-lane section to five-lanes (four travel lanes plus a two-left turn lane). A more detailed description of this project is provided later in this section. It should be noted that traffic signals were added in 2014 at the intersection of State Route 119 and County Road 80 (Mission Hills Road) to help alleviate frequent congestion at the intersection, particularly for residents living in the Wynlake and other subdivisions off County Road 80.

The levels of service for the State Route 119 are presented in Table 2-9. These LOS are provided for contextual purposes and are intended to document the roadway’s existing conditions. They are not intended to justify any improvement projects.

46 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Table 2-9: SR 119 Roadway Segment Level of Service AADT Roadway Segment LOS Volume From To Kent Dairy Road County Road 26 (Fulton Springs Road) 22,679 F County Road 26 (Fulton Springs Road) Dale Drive 21,330 F Dale Drive County Road 80 (Missions Hills Road) 14,506 D

4.3. Transportation and Land Use Connection The City of Alabaster has a typical suburban pattern of development. The vast majority of the city is developed in a pattern of relative low density. Though the general pattern of development is low density, development density tends to be focused around major roads. The higher the traffic volume on the road, typically the more dense the development along that road. Correspondingly, as traffic volume decreases, so also does the development along the road.

In general, individual developments in the City of Alabaster are often not connected to adjacent developments by either pedestrian or roadway connections. Thus to access virtually all developments, an automobile trip or a relatively long and often dangerous pedestrian trip must be made. Furthermore, the trip must exit one development onto a collector or arterial street and then enter another development even though the developments are adjacent. This is almost always the case with adjacent residential developments and is usually the case with adjacent commercial developments. Where residential and commercial developments are adjacent, there is also typically no connection. This pattern of development has led to the need for an automobile in order to perform even the most basic every day functions.

The City of Alabaster’s transportation system is largely defined by topography. The area’s topography has helped to shape the City’s roads, and the slope of the land dictates both buildable land and the route for optimal roadways. The area’s topography has largely limited the City’s growth to a valley. As a result these roadways have grown in their role as arterial highways and helped shaped land use along their corridors.

As noted in the commuting profile earlier in this chapter, the majority of Alabaster residents commute to work outside of Alabaster. This separation of jobs and housing increases strain to worker finances, adds congestion to area roadways and contributes to air quality issues. Better planned development policies can help to reduce travel times, can reduce the amount of land developed overall to meet the needs of existing and growing populations, and can create greater efficiency in the provision and use of public infrastructure and services.

Major influences on the current traffic patterns include the continued growth and urbanization of the Birmingham metropolitan area’s rural communities, particularly those communities located to the south and east of Alabaster; the growing influence of job centers located in Hoover and the U.S. 280 corridor, and; the city‘s own economic activity centers: Industrial sites, the hospital, commercial centers, parks and recreational facilities, etc.

4.4. Planned/Programmed Projects At present, the City of Alabaster has one (1) major transportation project with programmed funding in the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The project is to add SR 119 between CR 26 (Fulton Springs Road) and CR 80 (Mission Hills Road), widening the roadway from its current two (2) lane configuration to five (5) lanes e.g. 4 travel lanes with a two-way left turn lane. This segment of SR 119 would connect with an existing five (5) lane segment north of the study location, and will address an existing bottle neck where the 5 lane section narrows to two lanes just north of CR 26 (Fulton

Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions 47 Community Profile

Springs Road). The additional capacity also will address the ever increasing congestion along SR 119 resulting from additional residential development in the cities of Alabaster and Montevallo. According to the TIP, the project has a total project cost of just over $11.2 million, with $175k used for the initial corridor study, $250k going towards preliminary engineering, $532k going towards right-of-way acquisition, and $10.3 million going towards construction.

4.5. Issues and Infrastructure A number of transportation concerns were identified by the City of Alabaster’s leaders and residents alike. These concerns reflected frustration with the increasingly congested conditions of SR 119. Concerns also were expressed about the delays caused by train traffic at the intersection of U.S. 31 and SR 119, as well as a crossing at SR 119 between 13th and 14th Avenues SW, just north of the Thompson 6th Grade Center.

In addition to these concerns, residents, businesses, and community leaders also expressed concern about congestion at the interchange of I-65 and U.S. 31, and the segment of roadway I-65 and Propst Promenade Parkway. Concerns also were expressed about the provision of public transportation services for both commuters to/from the City of Alabaster, and seniors seeking to gain access to the Shelby Baptist Medical Center and its affiliated medical uses located in the Medical Mile Corridor. Finally, residents and city leaders expressed a desire to expand and improve the existing Buck Creek Trail to Veteran Park. The existing Buck Creek Trail currently runs between Buck Creek Park and Warrior Park through the Siluria Mill community.

5. Utilities and Infrastructure

5.1. Water Supply and Delivery Infrastructure The Alabaster Water System is operated by the Alabaster Water Board provides service to approximately 13,690 metered connections. Although there are 13,690 metered connections, some of these locations are vacant and are not currently being billed. The number of active accounts fluctuates as residents and businesses move in and out of the community.

In March 2015, the Alabaster Water Board billed a total of 11,312 residential and commercial accounts inside the City limits, 310 irrigation accounts inside the City limits and billed 1,269 water accounts outside the City limits. 67% of metered water sales (revenue) are from residential accounts, with 93% of all the water accounts being residential. 33% of metered water sales (revenue) are from non-residential accounts, with 7% of the water accounts being non-residential.

Alabaster Water operates three (3) wells, two (2) membrane filtration plants, four (4) booster pump stations and eleven (11) water storage tanks. The water tanks provide for system storage to assist with peak water demands and fire protection. Of the eleven (11) tanks, six (6) are elevated storage tanks and five (5) are ground storage tanks.

Average annual daily demand (or usage) of water was 5.3 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) in 2012, but has decreased in 2013 to 3.9 MGD and decreased further to 3.6 MGD in 2014. The average demands fluctuate over time depending on the amount and frequency of rainfall. 2012 was a drought year with below normal rainfall, and 2013 and 2014 were wet years with above normal rainfall.

The eleven (11) tanks represent a storage capacity of 10.7 MGD. The Alabaster Water Board operates five (5) pressure zones due to the topography/elevation changes within the service area and the tanks are located throughout the water system in the various pressure zones. The booster pump stations pump water to the various pressure zones and assist with maintaining system pressure and tank levels.

48 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Figure 2-19: Water Infrastructure Map (2004) )"52 >! Wells )"33 TU Water Tanks «¬261 Water Lines 6 inches )"52E 8 inches 10 inches ¤£31 )"58 65 ¨¦§ )"11 12 inches 18 inches Local Roads )"68 Industrial Rd. Alabaster City Limits W N

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Figure 2-20: Sewer Infrastructure Map

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The water rates vary by meter size and usage. The rates have a minimum or base bill that includes some gallons of water dependent on meter size and then there are two blocks above the minimum. • For a ¾-inch residential meter, the minimum or base bill with 2,500 gallons of water included is $14.76. • Water usage above 2,500 gallons and up to 15,000 gallons (block 1) is billed at a rate of $4.39 per thousand gallons and for usage above 15,000 gallons (block 2) the rate is $4.77 per thousand gallons. Thus a bill for 5,000 gallons would be $25.74 ($14.76 + 2,500 gallons*$4.39/1,000).

The major waterlines in Alabaster consist of 6 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch, 12 inch and 18 inch lines. The location of tanks, wells, pump stations, water tanks and waterlines is depicted inFigure 2-19 and does not include the smaller distribution waterlines.

5.2. Wastewater Collection and Treatment The City’s Environmental Collections personnel are responsible for Alabaster’s network of sewer lines and pump stations. Alabaster has approximately 100 miles of main line and 100-200 miles of secondary lines, most of which are spread out through subdivisions. The customer’s lines are connected from house or business lines to these secondary lines.

Pump stations are used due to the topography of the land in and around Alabaster. Pump stations pump the wastewater to the treatment plant when gravity cannot naturally accomplish the flow. A point of interest: the City of Alabaster has a gravity sewer line which flows from Shelby County Airport to the treatment plant. There are presently 48 pump stations, which consist of two pumps per station. Wasterwater flows through a pump at 100-350 gallons per minute with elevation changes ranging from 10 to 197 feet. As new subdivisions are developed and current subdivisions continue to grow, new pump stations will be constructed and/or upgraded.

The Treatment Plant is a facility which has a capacity of treating 7.6 MGD that purifies and cleans the sewage to an acceptable standard that is mandated by the state. It then discharges effluent (treated wastewater) back into the natural water flow. The current usage is an average daily flow of 4.6 MGD. Sewage enters the treatment plant through Pump Station #1 which has three submersible pumps, each having the capacity of 3,250 gallons per minute. Sewage goes through a preliminary grit remover unit that removes any grit, sand or gravel which might have entered the lines during construction. After grit removal, sewage enters the rotomat which removes any solid waste material that is not boidegradable. Next, it enters Pump Station #2 where flow is proportionally split to aeration zones where oxygen is added to stabilize the biological reaction. This reaction is where bugs that are only seen through the microscope breakdown of the solid waste. Next is the clarification unit where a settling process removes solid wastes/sludge.

After clarification, the wastewater goes through sand filters that filter any microscopic solids that are left. Last, it goes through an ultraviolet disinfecting system that kills any pathogens that remain followed by a cascade which increases dissolved oxygen before the final product is discharged back into the natural water flow.

Residential customers are billed a base rate of $22.00 plus $3.06 per 1,000 gallon usage rate. There is a cap for this service at $65.00. Non-residential customers are billed at a base rate of $53.65 plus $11.80 per 1,000 gallon usage rate after 5,000 gallons. There is no cap for this service.

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5.3. Solid Waste Collection, Recycling, and Disposal Advanced Disposal provides trash and curbside recycling. Residents are charged $15 per month for garbage, recycling, brush and limb, and non-toxic junk and rubbish collection.

5.4. Broadband Internet Availability Telecommunications utilities in Alabaster encompass conventional wireline telephone, wireless communications (Asymmetric xDSL, Fiber Optic Cable, Symmetric xDSL, Copper Wire Cable, Cable Modem), and cable television. Currently, the City of Alabaster is covered by five wireless broadband service providers. They include: • Bellsouth Telecommunications • Level 3 Communications LLC • MegaPath Corporation • Charter Communications, and • TW Telecom of Alabama Inc.

Within the City limits, most consumers can chose between DSL technology, and cable technology. However, there is a lack of service in the southeastern edge of Alabaster, near the Shelby County Airport and County Road 12. Fiber optic technology is limited and is available along U.S. 31 (near Shelby Baptist and the intersection of 1ST Street West and U.S 31), Industrial Road (near Avanti Polar Lipids and Kingwood Church), and a small section of County Road 26 (near Impatient Creations).Figure 2-21 illustrates the availability of this infrastructure in the City of Alabaster.

Table 2-10 depicts the City of Alabaster’s percent of population with access to various broadband technology. Table 2-11 provides an explanation of download and upload speeds available from each broadband provider.

Table 2-10: Percent of Alabaster Population with Broadband Internet Access Technology Percent of Population with Access DSL 95.1% Fiber Optic Cable 1.7% Copper Cable 100.0% Wireless Broadband 100.0% Mobile Internet 100.0% Source: US Dept. of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, State Broadband Initiative, Census Place, Alabaster Alabama.

52 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Figure 2-21: Broadband Coverage Map

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Table 2-11: Wireless Broadband Provider Speeds Provider Name Technology Maximum Typical Maximum Typical Upload Available Advertised Download Advertised Speed Download Speed Upload Speed Speed TW Telecom of Copper Cable 3 mbps – N/A 3 mbps - N/A Alabama, Inc. 6 mbps 6 mbps AT&T Asymmetric xDSL 768 kbps - N/A 200 kbps - N/A 50 mbps 10 mbps MegaPath Corporation Symmetric xDSL & 1.5 mbps- 768 mbps - 200 kbps - 200 kbps - Copper Cable 10 mbps 6 mbps 6 mbps 6 mbps Charter Cable Modem - 100 mbps - 50 mbps - 3 mbps - 3 mbps - Communications DOCSIS 3.0 Down 1 gbps 100 mbps 6 mbps 6 mbps Level 3 Fiber Optic Cable 1 gbps+ 1 gbps+ 1 gbps + 1 gbps+ Communications, LLC Source: US Dept. of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, State Broadband Initiative (SHP format June 30, 2014).

Technology Definitions from the National Broadband Classroom: • Community Anchor Institution: schools, libraries, medical healthcare providers, public safety entities, community colleges, and other institutions of higher education, and other community support organization and agencies that provide outreach, access, equipment and support services to facilitate greater use of broadband service by vulnerable populations, including low-income, the unemployed and the aged. • Copper Wire: Copper wire technology uses phone lines to transmit data. • Asymmetric xDSL: Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) transmit information over traditional copper telephone lines via a modem. Asymmetric xDSL is primarily used by residential consumers and typically provides faster download speeds than upload speeds. • Symmetric xDSL: Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) transmit information over traditional copper telephone lines via a modem. Symmetric xDSL is intended to provide equal speed for sending and receiving data. This arrangement is standard for business that move large files among various users, between multiple sources. • Cable Modem: Cable modem service enables users to have access to high-speed internet service using the same coaxial cables that deliver cable TV programming. Users can access the internet without disrupting television programming. • Fiber Optic Cable: Fiber optic technology converts electrical signals carrying data to light and then sends the light through transparent glass fibers. Fiber technology has the capacity to transmit data at speeds surpassing any other broadband technology.

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6. Community Facilities and Services

6.1. Schools Beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, Alabaster created a separated school district and split from the Shelby County School system. The Alabaster school district has six schools, consisting of Creek View Elementary School, Meadow View Elementary School, Thompson Intermediate School, Thompson Sixth Grade Center, Thompson Middle School, and Thompson High School. School enrollment for the entire Alabaster School system currently totals 5,995 students for the 2014 - 2015 school year.

Table 2-12: School Enrollment for the 2014-2015 School Year School Enrollment Creek View Elementary 885 Meadow View Elementary 898 Thompson Intermediate 961 Thompson Sixth 456 Thompson Middle 1,003 Thompson High 1,792

6.2. Police The Alabaster Police Department is located in the old City Hall at 201 1st Street North, operating out of this one central police station with approximately 84 people, 40 of whom are sworn police officers. A detailed list of police department sworn personnel by occupation and designation as well as a list of police department equipment is shown in Tables 2-13 and 2-14.

A School Resource Officer Program began in 2002, allowing the Alabaster Police Department to be able to assign police officers to the public schools, through federal grants. Since then the program has been enhanced this program and the individual skills and special training of the officers have helped to keep the schools in Alabaster safe.

Table 2-13: Police Department Sworn Personnel (2015) Occupation # Designation Chief 1 Administrative Management Captain 1 Administrative Management Lieutenant 2 Management Sergeant 11 Line Supervisors Corporals 9 Patrol Patrolman 37 Patrol Communication Officers 11 Communications Code Enforcement Officer 1 Code Enforcement

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Occupation # Designation Community Relation Officers 1 (Lt.) Staff Support Officers

Table 2-14: Police Department Equipment (2015) Vehicle/ # Year Make/Model Condition Equipment Patrol Cars 47 2003 – 2014 Ford / Chevy Poor - Good Chiefs Car 1 2014 Chevy Tahoe Good Other Vehicles 20 1998 – 2012 Ford / Chevy / Dodge Poor - Good Shotguns 5 - - - Computers 96 - - -

6.3. Fire The Alabaster Fire Department was established in 1952 operates out of three fire stations with 59 full-time personnel and five fire trucks. The Department provides fire suppression services, advanced life support emergency medical care, technical rescue services, fire code inspections, and a wide variety of public education programs. The Department is committed to teaching fire prevention in the schools and has a Smoke Detector Program to provide free smoke detectors to all homes in Alabaster.

Fire Station #1 is located at 890 1st Avenue W. next to the Albert L. Scott Library, Fire Station #2 is located at 1950 Butler Road (CR 12), and Fire Station #3 is located at 910 st1 Street South (U.S. 31).

Currently, the Alabaster Fire Department has an ISO rating of 4 out of a possible 9 (with a rating of 1 being the best). Barriers such as railways can reduce response times and raise the ISO rating. ISO ratings are used to calculate residential and commercial property insurance costs. Detailed lists of fire department personnel and equipment are shown in Tables 2-15 and 2-16.

Table 2-15: Fire Department Personnel (2015) Occupation # Full- time Firefighter 52 Part-time Firefighter 7

Table 2-16: Fire Department Equipment (2015) Vehicle/Equipment # Year Make/Model Condition Fire Truck 1 2014 Pierce Velocity Excellent Fire Truck 1 2007 KME Predator Good Fire Truck 1 2004 KME Predator Good Fire Truck 1 1996 E-One Quint Fair Fire Truck 1 1991 E-One Hush Fair

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6.4. Parks and Recreation The Alabaster Parks and Recreation Department is located at 100 Depot Street in the Old Train Depot and provides and maintains a system of eight parks and one trail for the residents of Alabaster. The City of Alabaster partnered with Shelby County to develop the Buck Creek Trail, which opened in 2009, connecting Warrior Park to Buck Creek Park. Residents can access the Buck Creek Trail at three different locations – the Depot, Buck Creek Park, and the Alabaster Senior Activity Center. A detailed list of the recreational facilities within Alabaster is shown in Table 2-17. While not located within Alabaster, Oak Mountain State Park is just north of Alabaster in the City of Pelham and consists of 9,450 acres and includes hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, a wildlife rehabilitation area, and other outdoor opportunities for recreation.

Table 2-17: Alabaster Recreational Facilities Approx. Facility Location Description Acres Concessions, playgrounds, five (5) baseball/ 7305 Hwy. 119, softball fields, disc golf, a skate park, restrooms, Veterans Park 90 Alabaster, AL 35007 lighted walking trails, batting cages, an arbor, the Beneful Dream Dog Park and nine (9) pavilions.

Playground, picnic tables, a pavilion, restrooms, 320 Park Road, Abbey Wooley Park 4.04 a ¼ mile walking track, swings, and a basketball Alabaster, AL 35007 court. Playground, picnic areas, walking track with exercise station, a football field, three (3) softball Buck Creek Park and 701 Sixth Avenue SW, 44 fields, concession stand, restrooms, gazebo, and Trail Alabaster, AL 35007 the Buck Creek Trail that connects to Warrior Park. 1950 Butler Road, Quarter-mile walking track, playground, and Heroes Park 6.1 Alabaster, AL 35007 picnic tables. A natural park with ample bird watching areas as well as a landing strip for RC Plane and Helicopter 2400 Hwy. 31 South, Limestone Park 100 enthusiasts. It also features a shooting range Alabaster, AL 35007 training facility for Police and Fire Department personnel.

500 Warrior Drive, Basketball courts, soccer fields, pavilions, picnic Municipal Park 32 Alabaster, AL 35007 areas, a playground, and restrooms.

Facilities include four (4) baseball/softball fields, 100 City Park Lane, Warrior Park 13.1 batting cages, playground, press box, concession Alabaster, AL 35007 stand, and restrooms.

215 Yellowhammer Willie B. Arrington Park Drive, Alabaster, AL 0.65 Neighborhood Park currently under development. 35007

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Figure 2-22: Parks and Open Space Map

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6.5. Library Alabaster is home to a single library, the Albert L. Scott library which is located at 100 9th Street NW. The Alabaster City Library was built in 1983 on land donated by one of the city’s founding families. The library is administered under the Shelby County Library system.

The Library’s estimated patron door count for the 2013-2104 fiscal year was 127,438 and during that fiscal year 15,847 library cards were issued or renewed. Library cards are free of charge to anyone living within Shelby County or working in the City of Alabaster.

The Library Board supervises the library and is appointed by the Alabaster City Council. The Library has a yearly circulation of approximately 150,000 items, which include books, DVDs, audio books, e-books, e-audio books, and music CDs. Internet access is also available through the library. Almost 300 programs are offered through the library throughout the year.

7. Image and Identity

7.1. Visual Characteristics The City’s residential, commercial, civic and urban center forms and building typologies are presented in this section. Examining the form of Alabaster’s built environment allows the City to promote future developments that will complement and enhance the City’s existing character.

Viewsheds Viewsheds are highly visible areas of significant scenic or historic value designated for preservation against developments or other changes that obstruct or diminish its view from a public and, in some cases, private area (e.g., parks, trails, roads, etc.). In Alabaster, two areas have been identified as potential viewsheds. The first is the Siluria Mill water tower. Views of this structure from 7th Street SW and Railroad Street should be preserved. The second area that was identified as a viewshed was the stretch of U.S. 31, between 2nd Place NW and SR 119, commonly referred to as “Old Main Street.” The views of “Old Main Street” from surrounding ridgelines should be preserved when possible.

Colonial Revival Bungalow

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Streetscapes In Alabaster, no other streetscape is more prominent than the “Old Main Street.” The “Old Main Street,” particularly its west side, has landscaped sidewalks with pavers, streetlights embellished with hanging flower pots, on-street parking, and buildings fronting the street to create a contiguous street facade. These street elements, combined with the corridor’s rich history, create an inviting and walkable environment for residents.

Residential The majority of Alabaster’s housing stock is relatively new. According to ESRI’s 2014 estimates, approximately 60% of the houses in Alabaster were constructed from 1990 to the present. This period was influential in shaping the residential architecture of the City. The remaining houses were built during the following periods: 1970-1989 (32%) and 1969 or earlier (8%).

• 1969 or earlier Older communities in the region such as Birmingham, Homewood, Bessemer, and Mountain Brook, have a significant amount of historic housing stock. Alabaster, by contrast, has relatively few historic detached single-family houses. Remnants of the City’s historic houses can be found along sections of U.S. 31 and in the Siluria Mill area, where some of these houses once served as residences for the mill’s workers. Architectural styles such as the bungalow, colonial revival and minimal traditional can be found in these areas. Over time, some of the houses were repurposed for commercial use, especially along U.S. 31.

Alabaster’s early neighborhoods were also generally less dense than the older neighborhoods of adjacent cities, reflecting more of a rural or semi-rural character. Typical streets on which early homes fronted were rural in design, having a relatively narrow pavement width and lacking the sidewalks and curb-and-gutter elements prevalent in neighborhoods in adjacent, more urban communities.

• 1970-1989 This housing development period, which accounts for almost a third of the City’s housing stock, is characterized by the Neo-Colonial style and many variations of the American Ranch style. American Ranch houses were generally one-story and built on open crawl spaces. They also featured a linear floor plan with the long axis of the home aligned parallel to the street to accommodate relatively large front and rear yards. Colonial in only its name, the neo-Colonial style houses loosely borrowed architectural details from its predecessor. Typically rectangular in shape and two to three stories, these houses have a central entry-hall floor plan.

Houses in this period were developed as part of larger subdivisions with a sense of uniformity that contrasted with the more variable, rural character of older neighborhoods. However, streets in these new subdivisions continued to be modest and somewhat rural in character—lacking sidewalks and conventional curb and gutter systems. 60 Alabaster Forward: Appendix A Existing Conditions Community Profile

Neo-Colonial Split-Level Ranch

• 1990-Present Alabaster has experienced rapid residential growth in the last twenty plus years, compared to previous decades. Houses during this period were characterized by Neo-eclectic styles – conglomeration of various architectural styles. These houses generally featured more complex, steeper roof forms and less architectural detail. Two-car garages also became a staple of Neo- eclectic houses. Larger houses often featured side-loaded garages while smaller houses (on smaller lots) typically had garages projecting from the front of the house.

This period also featured high-density housing, including attached townhouses, apartments and other multifamily developments that were a blend of various traditional and contemporary architectural styles. These developments comprise a relatively small amount of the overall residential stock in Alabaster and vary in size, ranging from 20 to 200 units. Like many contemporary multifamily developments in the Southeast, the buildings are set back from the street to accommodate off-street parking in the front. This can be seen in apartment complexes, such as Wellington Manor Apartments and Montevallo Place Apartments.

Neo-Eclectic Wellington Manor Apartments

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Commercial Most of Alabaster’s commercial areas developed along U.S. 31, between CR 68 and CR 26 (Fulton Springs Road), over the last 20 years. Alabaster’s commercial developments are primarily suburban, “highway- oriented,” in character and consist of small offices adapted from older homes, highway retail franchises, refurbished strip centers and newer shopping centers and office developments. Buildings, both single- and multi-tenant, are typically one-story and are set back from the street behind surface parking lots. The one exception to the highway-oriented developments found along U.S. 31 is the “Old Main Street,” as mentioned above.

Foodland Old Main Street

Civic and Institutional Buildings Alabaster’s municipal buildings, schools and churches are important, distinguishing elements to the City’s overall sense-of-place. This is the most noticeable in the new City Hall building, which features a more modern expression of Tudor style architecture. The City Hall was rebuilt on the same site that once housed the iconic Siluria Mill building. Today, the only visible remnant of the mill is the water tower, which is now part of the City’s municipal complex.

Water Tower Alabaster City

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7.2. Significant Sites and Structures Alabaster was founded in 1925, and incorporated into Shelby County 1953. The founding fathers established a village complete with housing, retail, and industrial development. At present, no historic district boundaries have been established, nor are there any listings on the National Register of Historic places, but the following places and structures have been identified by the City and its residents as historically significant.

Significant Sites • Siluria Mill: a historic mill community, founded in 1896, and incorporated into the City of Alabaster in 1971. Siluria Mill is located in an area of the City that is under development which includes the Alabaster City Hall and Senior Center. • Historic Downtown: Alabaster’s historic Main Street district. The historic downtown has housed the First Bank of Alabaster, a neighborhood grocery store, Edmunds Barber shop, and Shelby Florist. The historic Main Street is located on U.S. 31 between SR 119 and 2nd Place NW. • Old 1St Ward Neighborhood: A historically African American community in northeast Alabaster bounded by I-65, U.S. 31 and the railroad. • Benton Family Cemetery: Located on SR 119 and established in 1842. • Harless Cemetery: Located on CR 24. It was established as a burying ground in the early 1800s. The Harless family is believed to be the first white settlers to the Ebenezer community. • Narbors Cemetery: Located on Mellow Drive north of U.S. 31, Alabaster Alabama and established in 1686.

Significant Structures and Landmarks • First Bank of Alabaster: located on U.S. 31, founded 1952. • Edmonds Barber Shop: located on U.S 31, founded in 1961, still in business. • Old City Hall: located on U.S. 31, completed in 1960. • Siluria Mills Water Tower: located on 7th Ave. • Mill House: located in Siluria Mills, on 11th Ave. • Kent Dairy Farm Silo: located on SR 119 and CR 26 (Fulton Springs Road).

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