After requesting two cancellations, the Islamic Academy of Alabama's proposal to move from its current location in Homewood to Hoover's Meadowbrook Corporate Park is back on the agenda for the Monday Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
The commission will consider the proposal amid heavy community opposition and a conflicting economic development report commissioned by the city, which recommended the corporate park serve as a high-tech corridor.
The work session is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 1. According to the agenda, Mitchel Marshall will address the commission on behalf of Mohamed Ben Jazia.
They are requesting conditional use approval for the K-12 school and community center to move to 2500 Corporate Drive. The property is currently zoned PO (Planned Office) and is owned by Drummond Office Group, LLC.
RELATED: Islamic Academy of Alabama pulls zoning application to relocate to Hoover
ALSO RELATED: Islamic Academy of Alabama: Hoover delays Planning and Zoning decision again after facing strong opposition
As previously reported by 1819 News, the City of Hoover paid the Waymaker Group, an independent firm specializing in technology-based economic development consulting, $150,000 to conduct an innovation ecosystem study (IES) to determine the best use for Meadowbrook Corporate Park. The report states, "With strategic guidance grounded in data, Hoover can begin utilizing Meadowbrook as an attractive location for IT and corporate operations tenants."
According to the executive summary of the report, "Overall, Meadow Brook must first leverage corporate scale for clustering benefits and density. Large, stable anchors will help fill vacant space in the corporate park in the near term. However, interlinking these tenants with high-potential startups provides an innovation catalyst to then spark growth in knowledge-intensive sectors."
"Combining facility upgrades, corporate partnerships, and cultivating emerging industries will strengthen office park relevance," the report said.
Neighbors from the surrounding area have signed a petition opposing the rezoning of the school, arguing that a school is incompatible with the corporate park's long-term plans. Roughly 1,643 people have signed the petition.
SEE: Residents concerned about zoning changes to allow Islamic Academy of Alabama to relocate to Hoover
Members of the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission are:
- Mike Wood, chair
- Jennifer Peace, vice-chair
- Khristi Driver, council Liaison
- Jason Lovoy
- Nathan Reed
- Ben Wieseman
- Becky White
- Mike White
There will be a public comment period, and residents of Hoover and those with an interest in the proposal will be allowed to address the commission.
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