Nearly 800 homes could come to Saraland in proposed neighborhood

SARALAND, Ala. (WKRG) — The Saraland Planning Commission Board postponed their vote Tuesday night on a proposed neighborhood development plan.

Southwind Subdivision could bring 781 new homes to Saraland off of Celeste Road.

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“Saraland is going to have growth but I think you can have controlled growth,” Saraland Mayor Howard Rubenstein said.

The subdivision would extend from the current neighborhood, The Woodlands of Saraland, to Radcliff Road.

Lisa Palmer lives on Radcliff and is concerned about the growth.

“We love it out there because it’s quiet,” Palmer said.

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The room was packed Tuesday night as residents brought concerns one by one to the board. Concerns ranged from the impacts the neighborhood could have on water, sewer, the school system and bear life.

“My yard is their yard,” Saraland resident Debra Sullivan said.

The main concern among residents is the traffic on Celeste Road. Some said that a round trip to the high school could take up to an hour; they said traffic could become far worse with the added homes.

Mayor Rubenstein said he is not totally on board with the new neighborhood as he has his own concerns, but he reassured the community that they are already working to combat the traffic issues.

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“We are actually doing a project right now that’s going to give five lanes to a big portion of Celeste Road,” Rubenstein said. “We’re currently working on financing right now to get at least three lanes the rest of it all the way up to the city limit.”

The board will reconsider the proposed neighborhood in September’s planning committee meeting.

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