City of Birmingham Joint Meeting on October 26, 2026

The City of Birmingham joint City Commission and Planning Board meeting on October 26, 2026, focused on a progress report and preliminary recommendations for the zoning ordinance update. City staff and Planning Board members described the consultant’s report as an initial draft and sought high-level feedback; the project is expected to continue through further review and recommendations over the coming months. Discussion covered consolidating and clarifying the ordinance, neighborhood character, residential building massing and setbacks, tree canopy, transitional zoning, nonconforming lots, possible lot-split effects, accessory dwelling units, and how parking provisions should be handled. Members emphasized that the Planning Board’s role is to recommend zoning changes, while broader parking policy and related legal questions are for the City Commission.

Commissioners and Planning Board members offered feedback on the consultant’s recommendations and public engagement, but no zoning changes or procurement actions were approved. Public commenters also raised concerns about a proposed fee for police-staffing records requested under FOIA and asked the Commission to discuss the former Parking Assessment District; neither matter resulted in action at this meeting. The only motion was to adjourn. No contract awards, bids, vendor selections, or spending approvals were identified.