Hoover Planning Commission approves plan to rezone 26 acres off South Shades Crest Road for shopping center

A plan to rezone 26 acres off South Shades Crest Road for a proposed retail shopping center could become reality if the Hoover City Council approves it next Monday, March 16, City Executive Director Allen Pate said today.

On Monday, Pate recommended the request by landowner USS Real Estate to rezone the property from industrial to commercial before it was approved in a 7-0 vote by the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission. Pate, a member of the zoning board, said the Hoover City Council will have the final say on the matter.

“I think that the zoning change from industrial to commercial is a great plan that is best for city residents and safer,” Pate said.

Justin Armstrong, manager of commercial sales and development for USS Real Estate, told the zoning board a prospective buyer has the land under contract, but couldn’t reveal who they are nor what their plans are. Pate said there are strong “rumors that a potential Walmart Neighborhood Market grocery store will be built on the site, but I can’t confirm that.”

The 26 acres of land is south of Interstate 459 near South Shades Crest Road and across from Brock’s Gap Parkway. If the council approves the proposed rezoning to commercial, Pate said the city will conduct a study to determine if road work needs to be done to improve traffic flow at the proposed shopping center.