The Sheffield Redevelopment Authority was approved by the city council on July 14 to proceed with an application for a Community Development Block Grant to bring in a consultant that would evaluate the conditions in southeast and southwest Sheffield. The result would be a redevelopment plan that would outline the best ways to improve the area, attract retail development, and reduce the concentration of low-income housing. Monday, the city council voted against setting a public hearing for July 31, therefore eliminating the option of a grant application being in by the August 14 deadline. The public hearing is a required step before the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments could apply for the $50,000 grant, but a public hearing requires at least a week's notice. Councilman Frank Stevens voted "no" to go forward with the grant at the July 14 meeting because he feared the plan would result in people having to leave their homes. Stevens represents southeast and southwest Sheffield. It is undecided whether the redevelopment authority would seek a grant application again in 2009.