HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Huntsville City Council is set to introduce measures that would add another 650 acres through annexations.
The ordinances are on the agenda for the Thursday Council session, which is set for 5:30 p.m. at City Hall (305 Fountain Circle). They are the first annexations to be considered in 2026, following a year of rapid expansion through similar acquisitions.
New Measures on the Agenda
The two measures being introduced tonight represent a mix of small-scale commercial development and large-scale land acquisition:
- Balch Road Development: An ordinance to annex 2.80 acres on the south side of Capshaw Road, east of Balch Road. This land, owned by Balch, LLC, is designated for commercial use and follows the city’s guidelines to fill in existing corporate limits.
- Swancott Road Expansion: A much larger measure involving 648.44 acres lying on the south side of I-565, spanning both the east and west sides of Swancott Road. Owned by GL McCrary Farms, LLC, the property is currently categorized as institutional land.
Both petitions were initiated by the property owners primarily to gain access to city services, including Huntsville police and fire protection, and city sanitation.
Context of Rapid Growth
The proposals are the latest in a series of aggressive growth moves for Huntsville. In 2025 alone, the city added thousands of acres, expanding its geographical footprint to approximately 227 square miles — rivaling the geographic size of major metros, like Chicago.
As of July 1, 2025, Huntsville’s population reached an estimated 249,102, representing a nearly 16% increase since the 2020 Census. This surge of approximately 18 new residents per day has fueled a billion-dollar construction boom and high demand for both residential and industrial zoning…