Crestwood South residents spoke out against a proposed 29 home subdivision in the neighborhood during a Feb. 22, 2017 public hearing before the subdivision committee of the Birmingham Planning Commission.

A proposed 29 home subdivision in Birmingham's Crestwood South was denied Wednesday evening by a subcommittee of the city's planning commission.

The subdivision committee denied Tower Development's preliminary plat for 29 single-family homes to be constructed on a cul-de-sac on what is now an entirely wooded 6.5 acre parcel in the long-established neighborhood.

The plan called for clear-cutting and the construction of a detention pond to prevent runoff to neighboring houses.

Committee members expressed concerns over gaps in the city's planning process, such as a geo-technical report on the landslide risk to not be submitted until the final plat.

If the committee gave its approval to the preliminary plat, the developer would be able to go ahead with grading and clearing the property.

"It doesn't sit well with me to destroy the property before we know more ...," said member Selina Rodgers-Dickerson.

Michael Morrison, committee co-chair, said Wednesday's decision doesn't mean the committee is against growth or new development.

"We have to be sure we do this responsibly and those reassurances have been made," he said.

Randall Minor, a lawyer representing Tower Development, said the developer met all of the subdivision regulations. He wasn't sure if the developer would appeal or submit other plans.

"We are going to reevaluate our options," he said.

Brad Edmonds, of 50th Street South, who spoke out against the subdivision, said he is happy with the committee's decision.

"It is a good day for Crestwood," he said.

Crestwood South Neighborhood Association Vice President Virginia Volker said she appreciated the committee being thoughtful and listening to the residents' concerns. She said their top concern was for the safety of existing residences and those that would have been built in the new subdivision.

A number of Crestwood South residents presented exhibits including neighborhood maps, a landslide zone map and sections of the city's subdivision regulations while presenting their arguments to the committee.

"We are not opposed to development," said Andrea Paschal, who lives on 47th Way South in Crestwood South. "We want to see growth. We want it to be sustainable. We want it to be the right kind of growth."

Residents said they wanted the committee to take in consideration the existing lot sizes of the neighborhood and potential landslide and flooding issues.

Crestwood South resident Joyce McKinnon said the stream that runs through the subject property should be protected. "It should be considered a stream and not a drainage ditch," she said.

She suggested the developer implement low-impact and environmentally sustainable techniques.

Residents also expressed concerns over the developer's plan to clear-cut and excavate the property.

"It is possible to develop around trees," McKinnon, who lives on 48th Street adjacent to the proposed development.

Evan Johnson, 11, said she has lived in Crestwood South her entire life. She called the subject property where she often swims in the stream, "the peaceful woods."

She said she would be heartbroken if the woods was cleared, and the foxes, owls, rabbits and hawks that live there would be forced to flee or even die.