QUICK SUMMARY
The Townes at North Lake is on pause — not dead. The proposed 439-home, $342 million master-planned community on 182 acres north of Hamnertown Road and east of Highway 69 in Northport was withdrawn from the City Council agenda minutes before its scheduled vote on July 20, 2026. The withdrawal followed a June 9 Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to deny the plan over requested waivers, Phase 1 amenities, and — most importantly — sewer capacity that only covers the first phase. The developer says the project will return to the council within two to three months after engineering questions are addressed. Here is what was proposed, why it stalled, and what it means for Northport housing.
What is The Townes at North Lake?
The Townes at North Lake is one of the largest residential developments ever proposed in Northport: a master-planned community on roughly 182 acres north of Hamnertown Road and east of Highway 69, in the works since the land was annexed into Northport in 2021 — more than five years of traffic studies, engineering reviews, environmental review and design revisions.
The plan, designed by Smith Gee Studio for developer Courtstone, calls for 439 homes across five product types — estate homes, traditional homes, garden homes, courtyard homes and cottage homes — plus a walkable village center, two neighborhood commercial lots for cafés, restaurants and boutique retail, and roughly 59–63 acres (about a third of the property) preserved as parks, lakes, trails, playgrounds and open space, including a lake with a pier, a pool and a dog park. Architectural standards would prohibit vinyl siding as a primary exterior and require varied designs.
The developer projects about $342 million in combined residential and commercial investment, hundreds of construction jobs, roughly $2.44 million in upfront permit and utility revenue for the city, and an estimated $4.95–$5 million per year in recurring property tax, utility, sales tax and commercial revenue at full buildout — a seven-to-eight-year process that would eventually add about 1,185 residents. (Those figures come from the developer, not an independent review.)
Why was the vote withdrawn?
Two shoes dropped in quick succession this summer:
1. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial. On June 9, the commission voted unfavorably on the Special District Plan. City staff flagged requests for numerous waivers from current standards — narrower lot widths, reduced setbacks, fewer stub streets for future connectivity, and building material standards that did not spell out the city’s required minimum masonry percentage. Staff also noted Phase 1 contained the required open space but no planned amenities.
2. Sewer capacity only covers Phase 1. Staff documentation showed adequate sewer capacity for the first phase — but not for future phases. Later phases would depend on additional engineering review and wastewater solutions the city has not yet approved.
The City Council still held a first reading on July 6. But on July 20, minutes before the scheduled meeting, the item was withdrawn from the agenda. The development team said the extra time will be used to resolve the remaining engineering questions, and that the proposal should return to the council within two to three months — putting a revised plan on track for this fall.
What does the debate say about growth in Northport?
The Townes at North Lake has become a proxy for Northport’s bigger question: can infrastructure keep up with demand? Local reaction has been genuinely mixed — supporters point to a real housing shortage as Northport and Tuscaloosa grow, while skeptics worry about traffic on Highway 69, strain on the sewer system, and whether a development this size fits the area.
Both sides have a point. Northport needs housing supply: tight inventory is one reason prices have held firm even as the broader market cooled — you can see the current numbers in our Tuscaloosa County housing market report. But the sewer-capacity finding is not a technicality; infrastructure is the real ceiling on growth along the Highway 69 North corridor, and how the city answers it will shape development there for a decade. Notably, this stall comes even as Northport pushes forward on other megaprojects like the University Beach lagoon resort.
Own land or a home near Hamnertown Road or the Highway 69 North corridor? Proposals like this move land values even before a single home is built. Talk strategy with our land and lot team or get a free home valuation — call or text 205-292-2108.
What would 439 new homes mean for Northport home prices?
If the project completely wins approval, here is the honest math for owners and buyers:
For current homeowners nearby: a master-planned community with parks, a village center and architectural standards is the kind of neighbor that typically supports surrounding values — it is a far cry from a bare-bones subdivision. Short term, expect construction traffic; long term, 439 homes delivered over seven-plus years is gradual enough that it should not flood the resale market in any single year.
For buyers: more supply is good news. Northport’s inventory has been tight for years, and new product across five home types — from cottages to estate homes — would give first-time buyers and move-up buyers real options. If you cannot wait for a 2027+ delivery, there are new construction homes available across the area now.
For the market overall: the bigger risk is not overbuilding — it is underbuilding. If projects like this keep stalling while the population grows, expect continued upward pressure on prices across Northport and Tuscaloosa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was The Townes at North Lake rejected?
Not exactly. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial on June 9, 2026, but the City Council never voted — the item was withdrawn from the agenda minutes before the July 20 meeting. The developer plans to bring a revised proposal back within two to three months.
Where would The Townes at North Lake be built?
On approximately 182 acres north of Hamnertown Road and east of Highway 69 in Northport, on land annexed into the city in 2021.
How many homes are planned at The Townes at North Lake?
439 homes across five product types — estate, traditional, garden, courtyard and cottage homes — plus a walkable village center and two neighborhood commercial lots, with about a third of the site preserved as open space.
Why did the planning commission recommend denial?
Staff cited numerous requested waivers (narrower lots, reduced setbacks, fewer stub streets, unspecified masonry percentages), a Phase 1 with open space but no amenities, and sewer capacity documentation that only covered the first phase.
Would the development hurt nearby home values?
Master-planned communities with parks, commercial villages and architectural standards generally support surrounding values rather than hurt them. The build-out would span seven to eight years, spreading new supply gradually. Construction traffic is the main near-term consideration for immediate neighbors.
When will the council vote on The Townes at North Lake?
The developer expects the proposal to return to the Northport City Council within two to three months of the July 2026 withdrawal — likely fall 2026 — after engineering and sewer questions are addressed.
Watching the Highway 69 Corridor? So Are We.
Whether you own nearby, want first crack at new construction, or are trying to time a sale around Northport’s growth, we track every development in this market and will tell you what it actually means for your property.
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