Mobile Board of Adjustment Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Mobile Board of Adjustment convened on December 1, 2025, with five board members present (Mr. Atchison, Mr. Williams, Ms. Pharrell, Mr. Morris, Mr. Milling, and Mr. Golden) to hear five applications. The Board addressed a mix of infrastructure, cultural, and residential developments, ranging from tower height extensions to school safety improvements. While most applications were approved, significant public concern regarding parking and community impact on one project led to a 60-day holdover. Public testimony highlighted concerns about gentrification, parking capacity, and school safety, specifically regarding the use of historical assets and student safety.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was unanimously adopted after a roll call confirmed a quorum.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Daniel Neal (ILA Local 1410): Expressed conditional support for the Excelsior Band venue (503/505 Congress St.) but raised significant concerns regarding parking capacity and the conflict with longshoreman shifts. Proposed a public-private partnership with the adjacent ILA Hall to develop a parking structure.
• Michael Davis (Pastor, State Street AME Church): Expressed full support for the Excelsior Band venue provided that the parking issue is resolved.
• Vicky Howell (Mobile NAAACP): Expressed neutrality but voiced strong concerns regarding the lack of community engagement in the planning process. Stated that the project must not erase the history of the Black historic district, raised serious concerns about gentrification, and questioned the social and economic implications of placing a new venue next to the historic ILA Hall without clear resident input.
• Angela Sanders (Resident, 317 North Jackson): Expressed strong opposition to the 408 Adams Street development. Cited confusion over the project scope, stated that the proposed 55 parking spaces would double existing parking in a constrained area, and argued that the project reduces playing space for students at Callaway Smith Middle School. Expressed that the school board "does not care enough about the children."
• Gail Patrick (ILA Local 1410): Expressed opposition regarding the school impact. Stated that the project takes away play space for children, creates noise and traffic issues, and questioned the necessity of a large structure next to a middle school. Expressed that the project does not adequately consider the future of the children in the district.

Discussion Items

• Item 6719 (6699, 4585, 4969) - 6710 Old Shell Road: Application to extend an existing wireless tower by 23 feet (from 149 ft to 172 ft) to accommodate T-Mobile 5G equipment. The applicant sought variances for height, setback, and residential separation. Board members discussed the accuracy of the propagation map and the proximity to Ivy Row student housing, noting the separation was merely 10 feet short of the required 150% of tower height.
• Item 6720 (6716, 6588, 5326) - 11 South Water Street: Request for a sign variance to install an informational sign and update Amtrak branding signs at the Amtrak platform. The applicant sought to add four freestanding signs and update two wall signs with Amtrak branding to provide resources to passengers. Board members discussed whether Amtrak branding was necessary on the walkway wall signs versus the freestanding signs.
• Item 6721 (6717) - 503/505 Congress Street: Variance request to allow a concert/event venue (100+ seats, plus movable seating) in a T4 subdistrict for the Excelsior Band cultural center. The project involves rehabilitating a former motion picture theater. Public discussion focused heavily on the lack of required parking and the potential conflict with the adjacent historic ILA Hall event space and longshoreman parking needs. Board members debated the "highest and best use" of the site versus the potential hardship on neighbors, with a recommendation to hold the item for further community dialogue.
• Item 6722 (6718) - 408 Adams Street: Variance request for a four-story building (three stories by right) for teachers, firefighters, and police. The applicant proposed 40 residential units and commercial space, with 55 parking spaces intended for overflow use by the neighborhood. The applicant cited community charettes and land swap agreements as supporting evidence. Public opposition focused on traffic volume, the proximity to Callaway Smith Middle School, and the displacement of student play areas.
• Item 6723 (6719, 6695) - 4255 Cottage Hill Road: Variance request for a six-foot aluminum fence (previously proposed as eight feet and in the right-of-way) to improve security for Cottage Hill Baptist Church and School. The fence is to be placed on private property after previous discussions regarding right-of-way issues.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: The application to extend the height of the wireless tower on Old Shell Road was approved subject to findings of fact.
• Approved with Modification: The sign variance for the Amtrak platform was approved. The motion authorized four freestanding signs as requested but restricted the two wall signs to basic information, removing the Amtrak logo or advertisement portion.
• Held Over: The Excelsior Band venue application was held over for 60 days. The Board directed the applicant to engage in further dialogue with neighbors and residents regarding parking solutions and community impact before a final vote.
• Approved: The four-story building for essential workers on Adams Street was approved based on findings of fact.
• Approved: The fence variance for Cottage Hill Baptist Church and School was approved specifically as a six-foot fence.