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Record of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments Meeting Summary - July 28, 2025

City Council Meetings — Monday, July 28, 2025
BodyTuscaloosa, Alabama
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateMonday, July 28, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:08

Good afternoon.

0:09

Welcome to our July 28th, 2025 meeting of the City of Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments.

0:15

Any written comments sent to the staff or forwarded to the board directly.

0:19

At this time, we'd like to introduce our staff and members.

0:22

Hudson Cheshire, Associate City Attorney.

0:25

Jonathan Bowen, zoning administrator.

0:27

Kevin Jones helping out in the back with video production.

0:30

And I'd ask the board members to introduce themselves, starting to my left.

0:34

Marty Hamner.

0:35

Jim Gillum.

0:36

Michelle Coley.

0:39

Now, by virtue of the state law and city ordinances, the purpose of the zoning board of adjustments is as follows.

0:46

Here's appeals from zoning officer decisions, grants special exceptions to the zoning code in accordance with the terms as established by the city council.

0:56

Grants variances from the zoning code when strict enforcement creates unnecessary hardship.

1:02

Now circumstances that are not considered hardships include those that are number one, self-inflicted or self-created.

1:11

Inconvenient, number two, or number three, personal.

1:15

Now the zoning board of adjustment does not interpret or enforce subdivision covenants or HOA rules.

1:22

Those matters are not relevant areas of our inquiry by the board on any petition.

1:27

Now there are sign-up sheets located outside for the public comment.

1:31

Four speakers are allowed to speak in favor of a petition, and four speakers are allowed to speak in opposition to a petition.

1:40

All speakers will have a maximum of five minutes unless the board votes to allow a longer time.

1:47

The board will take up items in the order of the final agenda.

1:51

The board will initially receive a presentation from the staff as to the details of the agenda item.

1:57

Now, after the staff's presentation, I will call upon the petitioner to present their case.

2:02

The petitioner will have a maximum of 10 minutes unless the board votes to allow a longer time.

2:08

Now at the conclusion of the petitioner's remarks, I will call on any party in order in order of sign-up who desires to support the petition.

2:18

Thereafter, I will call on any party in order of sign-up.

2:21

Those who oppose the petition.

2:23

Now, when it's your turn for comment, please introduce yourself, stating your name and address to the board.

2:29

To provide your remarks, any written comments have been included into the record.

2:34

Now, after receiving the remarks of those who oppose the petition, the petitioner will have the opportunity to respond to those objections.

2:43

Any rebuttal will be limited to two minutes unless the board votes to allow a longer time.

2:48

Now the petitioner presents any new information in response to the objections.

2:53

The board will allow those who oppose the petition the opportunity to respond to the new information only.

2:59

Now any response will be limited to two minutes unless the board votes to allow a longer time.

3:04

Now during the course of this presentation, you may be interrupted by any member of the board for clarification or additional information.

3:12

Such interruptions will not reduce your allowed allotted time.

3:16

Now once the board members are satisfied that they have received all relevant information.

3:28

Now after the vote, you are free to leave.

3:30

Now the proceedings are video recorded and broadcast live.

3:34

All in-person public comments should be made at the podium into the microphone.

3:39

Any party agreed by any final judgment or decision of such zoning board of adjustments may within 15 days thereafter appeal therefrom to the circuit court by filing with such board a written notice of appeal, specifying the judgment or decision from which the appeal is taken.

3:57

Do any members of the board have any conflicts of interest as to any agenda matters?

4:02

No.

4:02

No.

4:03

No.

4:03

Okay.

4:05

I would ask the staff to confirm on the record that proper notice has been given to all parties in interest as required by law as to all matters before the board tonight.

4:15

Yes, it has.

4:16

Okay.

4:16

With that, we'll begin with our approval of minutes as the board has of adjustments has received the synopsis for the month of March, April, and May meetings.

4:25

And I move that we dispense with reading of the minutes of the same unless there are any deletions or additions or corrections.

4:32

Second.

4:35

So move.

4:37

And then Marty second.

4:38

Okay.

4:39

Uh the motion has been second and approved the synopsis.

4:41

Okay, we'll move to staff presentations.

4:49

All right, good afternoon, board.

4:51

We will move to our first case of the night, which is ZBA 4625.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Short Term Rentals█████████████████████████████████████████████76%
Zoning Regulations█████9%
Transportation Safety████6%
Procedural██3%
Historic Preservation█2%
Public Safety█1%
Traffic Management█1%
Community Engagement█1%
Public Engagement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments Meeting Summary - July 28, 2025

The Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments met on July 28, 2025, to consider ten special exception requests for short-term rentals. The board approved nine of the ten petitions, denying only one after significant neighborhood opposition. All approved petitions were subject to a 30-night annual limit and a one-year probationary period, with specific vehicle and occupancy limits based on parking availability.

Consent Calendar

  • The board unanimously approved the synopsis of minutes from the March, April, and May 2025 meetings.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Charter Morris (3 the Downs) opposed ZBA 46-25, citing safety concerns from limited visibility at the Hargrove Road exit, potential emergency vehicle access issues, and the impact of street parking on game days.
  • Dr. Eric Lake (20 the Downs) opposed ZBA 46-25, emphasizing his need for a quiet neighborhood due to PTSD and the importance of preserving the historic district's character for residents like himself.
  • Councilwoman Raven Howard (District 2) supported the opposition to ZBA 46-25, asking the board to allow more time for communication between the petitioner and the neighborhood.
  • Sarah Purdue (45 the Downs) opposed ZBA 46-25, raising concerns about the integrity of the historic neighborhood and safety of children.
  • Susie Smith (17 Springbrook) opposed ZBA 54-25, focusing on the removal of gravel parking and the need to restore the front yard to grass, though she had no objection to the short-term rental itself.
  • Andrea Case and Ida Johnson (Parkwood Circle) opposed ZBA 53-25, citing narrow streets, traffic congestion, and past issues with long-term rentals, while requesting contact information for the property manager.

Discussion Items

ZBA 46-25 – Dorothy Reed (1 the Downs) – Short-term rental special exception (Denied)

  • Staff presented the property (4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) and noted 16 written comments in opposition. The petitioner requested 8-10 adults and 4 vehicles; staff recommended 8 adults and 4 vehicles. Petitioner Dorothy Reed explained the home is primarily for family use and would be rented only on football game weekends. Board members expressed concerns about parking safety, emergency access, and the lack of a local property manager. The board voted 0-4 to deny the petition.

ZBA 47-25 – McKenzie Worley (2009 14th Street East) – Short-term rental (Approved)

  • The property had been approved in 2024. Staff recommended 4 adults and 2 vehicles. No public opposition. The board approved unanimously.

ZBA 48-25 – Justin Durham (4574 Royal Drive) – Short-term rental (Approved)

  • Owner-occupied. Petitioner requested 9 adults and 4 vehicles; staff recommended 8 adults and 4 vehicles, with a condition that two cars must park in the garage. The petitioner declined garage parking, agreeing to 4 adults and 2 vehicles instead. No public opposition. Approved with conditions.

ZBA 49-25 – Chine Shaw (3717 Paper Drive) – Short-term rental (Approved)

  • Owner-occupied. Staff recommended 4 adults and 2 vehicles based on parking. The petitioner agreed. No public comment. Approved.

ZBA 50-25 – William Bryan Rhodes (1027 Myrtlewood Drive) – Short-term rental (Approved)

  • Previously approved. Petitioner has experience with short-term rentals. Staff recommended 6 adults and 3 vehicles. No public opposition. Approved.

ZBA 51-25 – Alex Finnegar (1507 13th Street) – Short-term rental (Approved)

  • Previously approved. Property managed by a professional manager with 49 properties. Staff recommended 4 adults and 2 vehicles. No public opposition. Approved.

ZBA 52-25 – Alex Finnegar (1811 3rd Street) – Short-term rental (Approved)

  • First petition in the Downtown Historic Edge (DHEH) zone. No off-street parking; on-street parking is allowed per zoning ordinance. Petitioner requested 10 adults and 4 vehicles; staff recommended 4 adults and 2 vehicles. The petitioner agreed to the staff recommendation. Two written comments were received in opposition, but no speakers. Board approved despite concerns about the lack of driveway.

ZBA 53-25 – Bama BNB Rentals (17 Parkwood) – Short-term rental (Approved)

  • Property management company with 15+ years experience. Staff recommended 6 adults and 3 vehicles. Two neighbors spoke in opposition regarding narrow streets and traffic. Board noted the manager's experience and noise detection system. Approved.

ZBA 54-25 – Sorenda Harry (27 Springbrook) – Short-term rental (Approved with condition)

  • Petitioner from Seattle with local manager. Staff recommended 4 adults and 2 vehicles, with a condition that the driveway be brought into compliance with zoning code. A neighbor spoke in opposition, showing photos of gravel parking and damaged front yard. Board approved conditionally, requiring the driveway to comply with city standards before a business license is issued.

ZBA 55-25 – William and Wendy Edwards (1625 Third Avenue) – Short-term rental (Approved)

  • Staff recommended 4 adults and 2 vehicles. The petitioner agreed. No public comment. Approved.

Key Outcomes

  • ZBA 46-25: Denied (0-4 vote).
  • ZBA 47-25: Approved (4-0).
  • ZBA 48-25: Approved (4-0) with 4 adults, 2 vehicles, and no garage parking.
  • ZBA 49-25: Approved (4-0) with 4 adults, 2 vehicles.
  • ZBA 50-25: Approved (4-0) with 6 adults, 3 vehicles.
  • ZBA 51-25: Approved (4-0) with 4 adults, 2 vehicles.
  • ZBA 52-25: Approved (4-0) with 4 adults, 2 vehicles.
  • ZBA 53-25: Approved (4-0) with 6 adults, 3 vehicles.
  • ZBA 54-25: Approved (4-0) with condition to work with city staff on driveway compliance.
  • ZBA 55-25: Approved (4-0) with 4 adults, 2 vehicles.

All approved petitions are subject to a 30-night annual limit and a one-year probationary period.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. Welcome to our July 28th, 2025 meeting of the City of Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments. Any written comments sent to the staff or forwarded to the board directly. At this time, we'd like to introduce our staff and members. Hudson Cheshire, Associate City Attorney. Jonathan Bowen, zoning administrator. Kevin Jones helping out in the back with video production. And I'd ask the board members to introduce themselves, starting to my left. Marty Hamner. Jim Gillum. Michelle Coley. Now, by virtue of the state law and city ordinances, the purpose of the zoning board of adjustments is as follows. Here's appeals from zoning officer decisions, grants special exceptions to the zoning code in accordance with the terms as established by the city council. Grants variances from the zoning code when strict enforcement creates unnecessary hardship. Now circumstances that are not considered hardships include those that are number one, self-inflicted or self-created. Inconvenient, number two, or number three, personal. Now the zoning board of adjustment does not interpret or enforce subdivision covenants or HOA rules. Those matters are not relevant areas of our inquiry by the board on any petition. Now there are sign-up sheets located outside for the public comment. Four speakers are allowed to speak in favor of a petition, and four speakers are allowed to speak in opposition to a petition. All speakers will have a maximum of five minutes unless the board votes to allow a longer time. The board will take up items in the order of the final agenda. The board will initially receive a presentation from the staff as to the details of the agenda item. Now, after the staff's presentation, I will call upon the petitioner to present their case. The petitioner will have a maximum of 10 minutes unless the board votes to allow a longer time. Now at the conclusion of the petitioner's remarks, I will call on any party in order in order of sign-up who desires to support the petition. Thereafter, I will call on any party in order of sign-up. Those who oppose the petition. Now, when it's your turn for comment, please introduce yourself, stating your name and address to the board. To provide your remarks, any written comments have been included into the record. Now, after receiving the remarks of those who oppose the petition, the petitioner will have the opportunity to respond to those objections. Any rebuttal will be limited to two minutes unless the board votes to allow a longer time. Now the petitioner presents any new information in response to the objections. The board will allow those who oppose the petition the opportunity to respond to the new information only. Now any response will be limited to two minutes unless the board votes to allow a longer time. Now during the course of this presentation, you may be interrupted by any member of the board for clarification or additional information. Such interruptions will not reduce your allowed allotted time. Now once the board members are satisfied that they have received all relevant information. Now after the vote, you are free to leave. Now the proceedings are video recorded and broadcast live. All in-person public comments should be made at the podium into the microphone. Any party agreed by any final judgment or decision of such zoning board of adjustments may within 15 days thereafter appeal therefrom to the circuit court by filing with such board a written notice of appeal, specifying the judgment or decision from which the appeal is taken. Do any members of the board have any conflicts of interest as to any agenda matters? No. No. No. Okay. I would ask the staff to confirm on the record that proper notice has been given to all parties in interest as required by law as to all matters before the board tonight. Yes, it has. Okay.

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