Save Our Neighborhood - Big Lots Matter!

Help us to Save Our Neighborhood!

The homeowners of Kirkwood Heights/Piedmont (Huntsville, AL) came under attack in late June. The developer who bought the corner lot at Wingate and Hastings is trying to subdivide his single lot into 2 narrow lots and plans to squeeze TWO large two-story homes onto ONE lot. Our covenants specify one detached single-family dwelling on each lot. ONE house on ONE lot.

The existing subdivision covenants (est. 1957) require a minimum lot width of 85’ and a minimum lot size of 11,900 SF. The proposed new “subdivision” has a lot width of 65’ and each lot is ~9000 SF....almost 25% smaller than any other lot in Kirkwood Heights!  The proposed two-story “shotgun” style homes are approximately 35’ wide and 75’ deep and ~3500SF each.

The "big lots" in our neighborhood must be protected from predatory development and also from overreach by the city which is willing to use zoning regulations and their policies of increased density to override long-standing private property rights. TWO two-story shotgun houses covering the whole lot will permanently damage the character, integrity, and beauty of our 1960s well-kept, tree-lined, neighborhood. 

We need to Stop the Precedent this proposed subdivision would set through "civil action".

Please help support our Kirkwood Piedmont Litigation Fund to fight this new "subdivision"!

Please Note:  100% of funds raised go toward the legal defense fund.   Donating does not imply attorney/client privilege for the contributor.

BACKGROUND: The city of Huntsville gave extremely short notice in a vague letter to only 7 adjacent homeowners for a public hearing on Monday, June 21st. Many of these homeowners are elderly and several are disabled. All but two adjacent property owners have owned their properties for years: some for approximately 60 years! We can be proud that our neighbors turned out in force to voice their opposition to the new “subdivision” that violates our covenants! This affects every property owner in the Piedmont area and will have implications for many other established neighborhoods in Huntsville.

Due to our strong opposition, the city elevated the decision to the full Planning Commission public hearing on Tuesday, June 22nd. Once again, our neighbors showed up in force. The builder spoke first; many found his comments condescending, insulting, and threatening. Our councilman, Bill Kling, and our attorney, Paul Killian, spoke on our behalf along with many homeowners, who presented some clear info on the impact of this proposal on homeowners. On June 22nd, we had over 90 signatures on a petition. We have many more now and yet the city's representatives indicated our voices did not matter.  On the other hand, we have three (out of five) city council members who have indicated on the record that this proposed subdivision is amiss.  John Meredith said, "I stand with the people".  We so appreciate his stance.

The Planning Commission delayed the vote until July 14, 2021 at 8 am. The city Planning Dept considers only zoning ordinances, not our legally binding subdivision restrictions/covenants. The Planning Commission has more discretion, but generally simply takes the recommendation of the Planning Department.

The city told us the only way to enforce our legally binding subdivision restrictions/covenants is through “civil action.” We simply want ONE house on ONE lot. Our restrictions specify this. This is why your action now is important.

If we do not enforce our subdivision restrictions now, a precedent will be set. The likely result is every corner lot in Kirkwood Heights (Zoning R 1-B) will be broken into narrow lots with TWO “shotgun” style homes. Piedmont subdivision homeowners are even more vulnerable (Piedmont zoning, R 2-A, allows significantly smaller lot sizes, and includes use for apartments, townhomes, and duplexes!!)

For more info: Contact Suzanne/Eric Kohler or Mel Adams via the NextDoor app & nextdoor.com (Piedmont neighborhood) or emailNews coverage WHNT  via neighborhood watch.  Or reach out via GoFundMe email messaging.