Mobile Board of Adjustment Meeting - October 6, 2025
Mobile Board of Adjustment Meeting - October 6, 2025
The Mobile Board of Adjustment met on October 6, 2025, to consider five variance requests, one special exception, and one holdover. The meeting was interrupted by an emergency announcement during the final application (Special Exception 6702 for a bank drive-thru), leaving that item undecided. All other applications were resolved.
Consent Calendar
- The agenda was approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Application 6700 (316 Dolphin Street): Jean Langford (356 Dauphin Street) opposed the event venue special exception, citing that the requested occupancy of 270 was not in keeping with the neighborhood character and would create parking and noise issues. The property owner, Devin Nobles, expressed support and noted that the venue would cater to events with a minimum age of 35.
- Application 6702 (250 St. Louis Street):
- Lucy Cope (308 St. Louis Street) supported the bank drive-thru, citing improved traffic flow due to planned street changes and the bank's short hours.
- Pete Burns (255 North Jackson Street) opposed the drive-thru, arguing it contradicts the city's walkability goals and warned of precedent.
- Lee Weisinger (254 North Jackson Street) opposed, emphasizing that the special exception criteria were not met and that a similar drive-thru could lead to unwanted fast-food uses.
- Kelly Baker (254 State Street) opposed, stating that nothing had changed legally since the previous denial and that allowing a drive-thru would create a slippery slope.
- Written comments: 8-9 positive, 1 negative per applicant's attorney.
Discussion Items
- Application 6649 (5133 Cottage Hill Road): Variance for two freestanding signs and three wall signs (single tenant). Applicant Alvin Ramos requested a 60-day extension of a previously approved variance due to construction delays. Board approved a 90-day extension.
- Application 6669 (5399 U.S. Highway 90 West): Variance for dumpster within 25-foot setback. Applicant Jacob Franklin requested a 12-month extension because the client was still finalizing a purchase agreement. Board approved 12 months.
- Application 6698 (7120 Airport Boulevard): Setback variance for a church addition to preserve two exits. Applicant Paul Davis explained the hardship of maintaining parking lot connectivity. Approved.
- Application 6699 (6710 Old Shell Road): No applicant present. Board held the item over to the next meeting.
- Application 6700 (316 Dolphin Street): Special exception for an event venue with occupant load of 270 in a T5 district. Applicant Mary Daffin and owner Devin Nobles argued the space was formerly used for assembly and that the occupancy was based on building code. They stated the actual capacity with tables would be 150-180 and that no alcohol would be sold. Board discussed concerns about occupancy, hours, and neighborhood compatibility. A motion to approve with a 180-occupancy limit and no hour restriction failed on a voice vote (opposed votes heard). The special exception was denied.
- Application 6701 (2453 Slava Creek Parkway): Front yard setback variance for a union training center, hardship due to a sanitary sewer easement. Approved.
- Application 6702 (250 St. Louis Street): Special exception for a bank drive-thru with a single lane. Applicant Casey Pipes and bank president Doug Thomas presented updated renderings and noted reduced opposition. Public comments were heard. The meeting was interrupted by an emergency announcement before any vote or further discussion could occur. No decision was reached.
Key Outcomes
- 6649: Approved with 90-day extension.
- 6669: Approved with 12-month extension.
- 6698: Approved.
- 6699: Held over to next meeting.
- 6700: Denied (motion to approve with occupancy limit of 180 failed; no hour restriction).
- 6701: Approved.
- 6702: No decision due to meeting interruption; status pending.
Meeting Transcript
2025 Board of Adjustment Order. There are a few rules that I need to cover, but first I would ask that any of you that have these on turn them off or silent so we don't have a disruption, including our board members. So let me go through some of the basic rules of the uh board of adjustment. First, as an item on the agenda is called the applicant comes to the podium, give us your name and address for the record. And um as you make in comments or your statement to the board, I'd ask others in the audience not to disrupt or make comments during that presentation. The speaker will have the applicant will have five minutes, and then when it comes to the last minute of their time period, the warning bell will be given to help them summarize their statement. I have the luxury to extend if I think we've entered interfered with their statement or asked questions and their time's been interrupted. And then you'll have opportunity for four up three others to speak on that particular application in support, and then we'll allow four in opposition. If there are a number of people here that would like to speak in either favor or opposition, pick your best four, is the way I put it, so that we don't have to have a delay in your trying to decide who's going to speak on an application. Then the applicant will have a two-minute time period for rebuttal. And then um, if there's any questions regarding the well, first of all, at the conclusion of the statement and the rebuttal, the public comment period statements will be ended, and the staff the board will have an opportunity to discuss the application. I'll call for a motion either in support or opposition, and then we'll proceed with a vote. If there's any questions regarding the board's decision, you contact the planning department two five one two oh eight fifty-eight ninety-five. And um it requires five members to approve a motion, and if we do not get a five vote in favor, then the motion will fail, and then the application will be denied. Um we don't call for a vote for denial. So then with that, I'll call for a roll call and then we'll consider the agenda. So starting with uh Mr. Metcalf? Here, Mr. Golden, Mr. Milling, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Morris, Ms. Frell, Miss Mr. Atcheson? Here, Mr. Williams? Here, and I'm William Guest, the chair. Uh, we have a quorum. We have two supernumeraries voting today. Uh and if we have a recusal, which I've been notified, we'll have at least a recusal on two applications, one special exception and one application. Uh the supernumerary will vote at that time. So, with that, we have a quorum, so we'll proceed with the consideration of the agenda. Chair entertain a motion for approval of the agenda. Motion to approve agenda. Motion to approve. Do I have a second? Second. Have a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Agenda is approved as presented. All right, so let's get started with application 6649 regarding 5133 Cottage Hill Road. If the applicant will come to the podium, please. Good afternoon. Your name and address. My name is Alvin Ramos. I'm here on behalf of Thomas Signon Awning, uh 4590 118th Avenue North, Clearwater, Florida, 33762.
openpublica.com