Preserve HP – Southern Area Re-Zoning 2025

Mark your calendar and plan to attend in person to vote Monday, March 3, 2025 6pm at the Ireland Room at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens!

BRING YOUR ID/PROOF OF RESIDENCY

ATTENTION Highland Park Residents,
Our neighborhood needs your help! If you have ever been on the fence about attending meetings, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE to help preserve historic homes in our neighborhood.
This is a once in a 30 year opportunity to help shape the future of HP and correct zoning mistakes made in the last city rezoning in the 70s.
Please show up – Monday March 3rd 6pm Ireland Room at the Botanical Gardens and VOTE NO on the city’s proposed re-zoning for the SOUTHERN ZONE including:
Red Mtn Community (Highland Park, Redmont, Forest Park/S. Avondale), Crestline (Crestline and Eastwood), Crestwood (Crestwood S, Crestwood N).

Current Zoning Outlined
Current Zoning Shaded

LATEST PROPOSED ZONING MAP

Proposed Rezoning 1.10.25
Proposed changes list from Zoning Committee 2.4.25

Past Versions:
Proposed Rezoning Version 9.10.25
Proposed Rezoning Version 10.16.24

City GIS Site

View how to find your current zoning

Highland Park is already one of the densest neighborhoods in the STATE and was not meant to have more cars. Our quality of life is at stake and so are MANY HISTORIC HOMES!
Many have already been lost. Keep scrolling for images.

Overview/Summary:

(solidified in the formal text of a resolution below it):
The city would like to make large sections of Highland Avenue into a zoning classification (MUM, mixed use medium) that is normally associated with downtown environments. For example, this could include four to six story structures supporting large multi-family developments, retail, offices, hotels, private clubs, and live/work structures.

This designation does not protect the historical buildings that currently line the Highland Avenue, nor does it take into account its original design as a residential thoroughfare. Highland Avenue was never meant to be the ‘main street’ of a town center.

There have been many beautiful old homes torn down in our neighborhood over the decades, and that is why it is critical that we try to preserve what is remaining by making sure they are provided with the correct zoning classification. The ‘single family’ (D3) designation is extremely important in our fight against unwanted destruction and development, and that is why we are requesting the city to restore this classification to existing historic homes. However, it is important to understand that the D3 re-classification WOULD NOT AFFECT their current use. So, for example, if the house was now an apartment, or a business, they can legally continue to function as such. It is called ‘legally nonconforming’.

Formal Text:
By a Resolution passed at our monthly neighborhood meeting on Feb 11, 2025, Highland Park Neighborhood Association supports the viewpoints below set out by the Neighborhood Zoning Committee*:

1.      Designating large sections of Highland Avenue – and its environs – as MUM (mixed use medium) is inappropriate.
2.      “Mixed use” does not preserve the history of Highland Avenue. “Mixed use” is described in the code as “…often with a “Main Street” spine that historically served as a town center…”. This is not what Highland Avenue east of the Expressway is – or ever was.
3.      Any structure that was ever residential must have D (dwelling) zoning. If it was ever a single family residence, it must be designated as D3, regardless of its current use.
4.      Non-compliant, but otherwise lawful, current uses of any structure may continue in accordance with the code (as “legally non-conforming”).
5.      The solution is historically accurate and absolutely vital to preserve the character of this locally, and nationally, recognized neighborhood.
6.      This is critical to preserve the homes that created the historic nature of the neighborhood.

*This resolution and voting NO to the city’s proposed re-zoning does not prevent possible future zoning changes (with conditions) if a property owner so desires. It DOES preserve and protect the historic structures in our neighborhood.

Email preserveHP@gmail.com to help or with questions. Please spread the word!

This home at 2803 Highland Ave.