Pelham · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pelham public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Commerce Boulevard water main replacement
A bid from Gillespie Construction, LLC to replace aging PVC water main pipes along Commerce Boulevard and Commerce Circle was headed to the council for action. It would affect water service reliability for homes and businesses in that area.
Reconsideration request for 'It's Perfectly Normal'
A resident has formally challenged whether the book 'It's Perfectly Normal' should remain in the Pelham library's collection. The board's decision could affect what materials are available to patrons, particularly families and young readers.
King Valley Drive rezoning to townhouse (R-4)
L and L Property Enterprises wants land on King Valley Drive rezoned for townhomes. The council discussed it in work session ahead of a public hearing.
Retiree healthcare benefits
A proposed ordinance would have the city pay 65% of the normal group rate premium for eligible retirees and drop the old monthly cap. It's only had a first reading so far.
Business licensing and tax code amendments
A fast-moving Alabama bill would bar cities from counting work done outside their borders when calculating business license fees for trade industries. For Pelham, that could mean losing $500,000 to $750,000 a year — money that pays for police, fire, and road paving. The council unanimously opposed the bill and is lobbying lawmakers before it hits the House floor this week.
Mutual aid agreements with Hoover and Cahaba Valley Fire
Proposed automatic/mutual aid agreements with Hoover and Cahaba Valley Fire & EMS would formalize backup fire and emergency coverage across jurisdiction lines.
City Manager Administrative Leave
Pelham’s city manager is on administrative leave while officials investigate allegations raised by the suspended police chief. That means two top city leaders are off the job at once, leaving residents with a leadership vacuum and plenty of unanswered questions.
Police Chief Investigation
Pelham’s suspended police chief is publicly accusing the city manager, and the city has opened an investigation. Expect tense council meetings as residents push for answers about what happened and who’s accountable.
Police Chief Administrative Leave
Pelham’s police chief says he was put on paid leave right after flagging concerns about the city manager—and the city isn’t explaining why. If that’s true, it looks like a City Hall accountability problem, not just a routine personnel move.
Police Chief Suspension Dispute
Pelham’s police chief says he was suspended for blowing the whistle on the city manager, turning a personnel fight into a public leadership mess at City Hall. Residents should watch because it raises questions about retaliation, transparency, and who is actually running the city.
Driveway parking citations on Walker Road
Residents in the Stonehaven area got $100 citations for parking in driveways that block sidewalks, but their short driveways can't fit modern vehicles. They want warnings instead of tickets and possibly a fix or grandfather clause for pre-2002 homes.
Holland Lakes Sewer Lift Station Takeover
The city was set to review accepting the low bid from Mark Johnson Construction, LLC to rehabilitate the KOA sewer lift station wet well — critical sewer infrastructure upkeep.
Trash service and recycling performance
A proposed adjustment to the monthly residential garbage and recycling rate would take effect January 1, 2027 — this shows up directly on every household's bill.
Property transaction at 1908 and 1910 Montgomery Highway
The council was set to review accepting the sale of two parcels at 1908 and 1910 Montgomery Highway from the Commercial Development Authority — putting city-area land back into private development.
Highway 261 widening utility relocation
A budget adjustment is proposed for the utility relocation phase of the Highway 261 widening project.
2026 Street Resurfacing Project
The paving bid came in under budget, so the council added streets planned for next year into this year's project, shrinking the eight-year paving plan to six years.
School Resource Officer funding with Shelby County
An agreement with the Shelby County Commission would provide FY2026 funding to help support the city’s School Resource Officer program.
Pelham Sports Park Renovations Phase II
The council reviewed hiring TTL, Inc. for construction testing and inspection services for the second phase of the Pelham Sports Park renovation.
ReAMP Project (Former Oak Mountain Amphitheater)
The city has agreed with Kitzel Entertainment to host a spring fair April 9-19 on the city-owned property where the amphitheater once stood. After the city bought the site from Live Nation, multiple fair operators inquired; two RFP responses came in and one withdrew.
QuikTrip rezoning at Highway 52 and Racquet Club Parkway
Property at the corner of Highway 52 and Racquet Club Parkway may be rezoned from Agriculture to General Commercial, opening the door for commercial development.
Development consulting agreement
A special-called meeting July 30 will consider a development consulting agreement — an early step in a major project leaders say will take years, not months.
Highway 52 commercial rezone
A first reading rezones property at the corner of Highway 52 and Racquet Club Parkway from Agriculture to B-2 General Commercial.
Harris Doyle Homes rezoning off State Park Road
Harris Doyle Homes seeks to rezone property off State Park Road from A-1, B-1, R-1 and R-3 to PUD-R; first reading was June 18.
School demographics vs. development growth
New school board data shows Pelham's population grew 22% since 2010 but student enrollment only 10%, and 65-plus residents are exempt from school ad valorem tax — shrinking the school's share as the city ages. Councilmembers want developers and the school system talking before approving projects.
Condemnation of Chandalar Court Buildings
Three of four townhomes on Chandelar Court were burned and had prior flood damage, leaving unsafe structures. The city obtained an Attorney General's opinion and set an April 23 hearing to condemn and tear them down.
Coosa Composites Tax Abatement Agreement
The Council was set to consider a State of Alabama tax abatement agreement for Coosa Composites Holdings, LLC. Abatements can help attract or keep businesses, but they forgo some future tax revenue.
FRA Rail Grant Progress
The federal government has officially obligated the largest at-grade crossing elimination grant in the country, letting Pelham start environmental assessments and design to eliminate two crossings on Highway 52 and Lee Street. Construction is still years away — completion is required by 2031.