New residential community ‘Oakmont’ moving forward in Pelham

Big things are happening near Oak Mountain State Park: A massive 279-acre residential development is officially one step closer to reality.

The Pelham Planning and Zoning Commission recently gave its recommendation for a rezoning request that would pave the way for Oakmont, a new community situated between State Park Road and I-65.

Oakmont bringing nearly 200 new homes to Pelham

Proposed by Harris Doyle Homes, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway’s Clayton Properties Group, Oakmont is being designed as an “outdoor living community,” developers said at a commission meeting.

The project engineer is Wade Lowery of the Engineering Design Group, the Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ) reports.

According to the Shelby County Reporter, the revised plans focus on preserving the area’s natural beauty:

• 193 single-family units
  • 176 traditional lots and 17 larger estate lots
• More than 150 acres will remain undisturbed, including a 100-foot natural buffer along State Park Road
• The community will feature sidewalks, trails, a pavilion gathering space + direct connectivity to local greenway infrastructure

Price points and timeline

The BBJ says that homes are expected to start in the upper $400,000s, with many reaching the $500,000+ range.

The developer estimates that the total construction process could last around six years.

Will local traffic be affected?

With 193 new homes comes the question of how traffic will be impacted.

While a study presented by developer Brooks Harris indicated the project would have a minimal impact on morning peak hours, city representatives said Pelham is prioritizing safety.

Pelham’s deputy director of development services, Mike Eddington, noted that the city will likely require the developer to install turn lanes to keep traffic flowing smoothly on State Park Road. The developer will also be responsible for upgrading a nearby sewer lift station to handle the extra capacity.

What’s next?

The project isn’t a done deal just yet. While the Planning and Zoning Commission gave its blessing, the final decision rests with the Pelham City Council.

For news, events and more happening around Birmingham, sign up for our FREE newsletter.