Mobile City Planning Commission Meeting Summary - January 15, 2026

The Mobile City Planning Commission held a public hearing and deliberation session on January 15, 2026, reviewing twelve agenda items ranging from holdover conditional use permits to new subdivisions and rezoning requests. During the public hearing, the commission addressed procedural rules, accepted witness testimony, and considered amendments to applications before moving into deliberation. Commissioner Kirk Matte recused himself from one item (No. 10), though a quorum was maintained. The meeting concluded with the approval of several subdivisions, a requested holdover for a water department modification due to public concerns, and batch approval of minutes from 2025.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda for January 15, 2026, was properly moved, seconded, and unanimously approved (Aye) by the commission.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Hazel Breland (4824 Mercedes Road): Representing a resident whose property abuts the Board of Water and Sewer site, stated she has endured two years of severe shaking of her second-floor sunroom windows and internal doors, which she attributes to ongoing construction. She expressed that no storm has ever caused such damage to her 27-year-old home and noted that other neighbors have experienced falling items due to the vibration. She expressed a clear position that the Water Department must "make it right" regarding the damage and expressed concern over lack of communication, stating she received a "run around" from agencies despite contacting the Mayor's office and an attorney.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 (5330 Moffat Road - Conditional Use Permit): The applicant (Rodney Clemmix) and consultant (Patrick Garstecky) discussed the need for additional time to correct site plan compliance with Unified Development Code Article 3 and Article 5, Section 6E. The applicant expressed full support for withdrawing the application for six months to resubmit corrected plans to avoid the risk of a competitor opening within 1,000 feet, while also noting the risk that a future denial would require an appeal to the City Council. Commissioner Josh Woods explicitly stated he felt there were "a lot of questions that are unanswered" regarding resident capacity, parking, and staffing, expressing significant concern that the application should not proceed without these clarifications.
• Item 7 (1600 University Blvd S & 4217 Ezekiel St - Subdivision): Applicant Corey Brown requested an amendment to Condition 12 to specify that certain requirements apply "prior to signing the plat of phase two" rather than phase one, to reflect that road infrastructure is isolated to phase two. Staff confirmed this adjustment was acceptable for the composite subdivision.
• Item 9 (4800 Rutgers Rd & Bowden Rd - Subdivision & Sidewalk Waiver):
  • Subdivision: The applicant discussed waiving Section 6C7 for excess street frontage. Commissioner discussion clarified that waiving the one-block face access limit allows for greater flexibility. Regarding a condition stating access to the Alabama Power Company right-of-way is denied, the applicant requested language be added to state access is permitted "unless permission is granted by Alabama Power Company," ensuring no guarantee of access is placed on the plat without utility consent.
  • Sidewalk Waiver: The applicant expressed opposition to the standard requirement, citing a deep, widening ditch and the presence of 18-wheelers in an industrial zone (I1) as making sidewalks unsafe and impractical. Commissioner Josh Woods expressed support for the waiver, citing the industrial nature of the site and adjoining developments.
• Item 11 (4800 Moffat Rd - Modification): Following Hazel Breland's testimony, the commission moved to hold over the item until February 19, 2026, requiring revisions and additional information to be submitted by February 6. The applicant agreed to this holdover. Staff clarified that current shaking may be attributed to a previously permitted 2021 reservoir expansion, while the item before the commission addresses the construction of a clarifier, pump station, and associated improvements for the south part of the site.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (5330 Moffat Rd): Application was withdrawn by the applicant. The withdrawal initiates a six-month waiting period (resubmission required by July meeting) to allow for correction of site plan issues. (Vote: Unanimous agreement/Withdrawal).
• Item 2 (Bayfront Rd): Approved to waive Section 6C3 for lot depth. Motion: All in favor.
• Item 3 (1558 Luling St): Approved to waive Section 6B9 for alley right-of-way. Motion: All in favor.
• Item 4 (401 St. Louis St): Approved subject to 12 listed conditions. Motion: All in favor.
• Item 5 (313 St. Louis St): Approved subject to 13 listed conditions. (Note: Address corrected from 1313 to 313 during deliberation). Motion: All in favor.
• Item 6 (61 Ridgelone Dr East / 4813 Ravine Court): Approved subject to 9 listed conditions. Motion: All in favor.
• Item 7 (Logan Cottages Subdiv): Approved subject to staff recommendations and waivers for Sections 6C2 (lot width) and 6C3 (lot depth). Condition 12 was amended to apply to "prior to signing the plat for phase two." Motion: All in favor.
• Item 8 (1724 Michigan Ave): Rezoning from Neighborhood Business (B2) to Office Distribution (B5) Approved. Findings of Fact A, C, D, E, F, and G adopted. Motion: All in favor.
• Item 9 (Portside Industrial Parks Subdiv):
  • Subdivision: Approved waiving Section 6C7 and amending Condition 10 to read "unless otherwise granted" regarding Alabama Power access. Motion: All in favor.
  • Sidewalk Waiver: Approved based on industrial context comments. Motion: All in favor.
• Item 10 (1500 Yager Pass): After Commissioner Kirk Matte's recusal:
  • Subdivision: Approved subject to 10 listed conditions. Motion: All in favor.
  • PUD Modification: Approved subject to 13 listed conditions and findings of fact A through H. Motion: All in favor.
• Item 11 (4800 Moffat Rd): Held over to the February 19, 2026 meeting. Applicant must submit required revisions and information no later than February 6, 2026. Motion: All in favor.
• Item 12 (65 Mobile St - UMS Wright):
  • Modification 03572: Approved subject to findings of fact A through H. Motion: All in favor.
  • Modification 003573: Approved subject to findings of fact A through H. Motion: All in favor.
• Minutes Approval: Minutes from the meetings of January 16, 2025, February 20, 2025, and March 20, 2025, were approved as a batch. Motion: All in favor.