The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday denied a rezoning request for an antique store on Clairmont Avenue, after neighbors expressed concerns about the future uses of the property.

The request was to change property at 3849 Clairmont Ave. from a residential designation to one labeled Qualified Mixed-Use Low District.

The applicant, Amy Smith, said she purchased property five doors down in 2019 that many would remember as The Naked Art Gallery. She said it needed a lot of work, and managing the historic building has given her a deep respect for the neighborhood.

“I do firmly believe that this is the best way to preserve this home,” she said of the property where she proposes to open the store. “And in closing, I would just like to say there is such a need for this in our little Forest Park Village. The neighborhood depends on us, the merchants. The merchants depend on the neighbors.”

Melody Lake, who lives about 12 feet away from Smith’s property, said she and other neighbors aren’t necessarily opposed to an antique store.

“Our primary opposition is that it sets a precedent that gradually erodes the residential character of our neighborhood,” she said.

According to city staff, the local neighborhood association voted in favor of the change 14-12.

Councilor Hunter Williams said that, given the community response he’s received, the vote would’ve been different had attendance been better at the meeting.

“Just based on my emails that vote would not have passed,” he said.

Councilor Josh Vasa, co-chair of the planning and zoning committee, said these kinds of discussions are a valuable part of the process.

“When the council is considering these rezoning cases, we rely heavily on the input of the community and their concerns,” Vasa said. “These decisions are a vital part of effective city planning and keeping the character of our communities intact. I’d urge everyone to take an interest in their neighborhood association meetings, that is the entry point for getting involved with these matters, especially as it relates to zoning cases.”

Focus on Reducing Gun Violence

In other business, the council on Tuesday recognized June as Gun Violence Awareness Month.

Throughout June, activists, survivors and community partners participate in various events such as beautification projects, rallies and educational initiatives to acknowledge those affected by gun violence.

“We must recognize that this is a public health crisis and approach it with solutions that are grounded in healing and interrupting the cycles of violence,” said Councilor LaTonya Tate. “Real, lasting change will not come from top-down mandates alone; it happens when we listen to the people closest to the problem and empower the community-based organizations that are doing the hard work on the ground every single day. I’m proud to stand alongside all these change-makers here today in solidarity.”

City leaders in recent years have made violent crime reduction a major policy priority, investing in efforts such as a $15 million police retention and recruitment program as well as $3 million annually for community violence intervention programs.

In its crime data on the city’s website, the Birmingham Police Department doesn’t include which crimes were committed with firearms. However, so far this year, the department has reported 844 total violent crimes. That represents a 10% decrease over the same period last year. During that same time, murders fell from 32 to 17.

Property crime dropped by 11% during the same period, falling to 3,046 incidents.