OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - August 18, 2025

City Council Meetings — Monday, August 18, 2025
BodyTuscaloosa, Alabama
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateMonday, August 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:58:38

Transcript — Verbatim
0:17

Good evening and welcome to the August 18, 2025 meeting of the City of Tuscos of Planning and Zoning Commission.

0:24

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

0:28

At this time, I'd like to introduce our staff.

0:30

We have Mr.

0:30

Jimbo Woodson, Deputy City Attorney.

0:33

Michael Garner, City Engineer, Zach Pons, Director of Planning.

0:39

Leota Coyne, Principal Planner.

0:41

There are nine members of the Planning Commission, all of whom are appointed by the mayor for staggered terms, with the exception of the City Council representative who is appointed by the City Council.

0:50

I ask Commission members introduce themselves and state their occupation for the record.

0:55

Mr.

0:55

Rumsey.

0:57

Stephen Rumsey, Business Owner.

0:59

Dina Prince, attorney.

1:01

Portia Clark, 311 manager.

1:04

Vince Dooley, UA Capus Planning.

1:06

Anne Hornsby, attorney.

1:08

Raven Howard, Councilwoman.

1:10

Andy Pugh, retired.

1:12

Bill Wright Business Owner.

1:13

There were sign-up sheets located outside for public comment.

1:17

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

1:24

All speakers will be having a maximum of five minutes unless the commission votes to allow a longer time.

1:36

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

1:42

Additionally, we may hear certain matters involving the same property, such as an annexation and a zoning matter concurrently, although we will take separate votes on each matter involving the same property.

1:55

After the staff presentation, we'll then call upon the petitioner to present their case.

2:00

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

2:06

At the conclusion of the petitioner's remarks, we'll then call upon any party in order of sign-up who desires to support the petition.

2:14

Thereafter, call on anybody who wishes to oppose the petition.

2:18

When it's your turn for comment, please introduce yourself, stating your name and address to the commission to provide your remarks and do that at the microphone, please.

2:28

Again, any written comments have been included into the record.

2:31

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

2:39

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

2:45

If the petitioner presents any new information in response to your objections, the commission will allow those who oppose the petition the opportunity to respond to the new information only.

2:56

Any response will be limited to two minutes unless the commission votes to allow a longer time.

3:01

During the course of this presentation, you may be interrupted by any member of the commission for clarification or additional information.

3:08

Such interruptions will not reduce your time.

3:11

Once the commission members are satisfied, they have received all relevant information.

3:16

We'll then close further discussion by the public, at which time the commission members will discuss the matter and then vote.

3:22

After the vote, you are free to leave.

3:39

This commission serves as the final authority.

3:42

Subdivisions located within the city limits, subdivisions located outside the city limits, but within the city's planning jurisdiction, developments with special district, and four approval letters for developments in historic district buffer zones.

4:01

As to all remaining agenda matters, including annexations, rezonings, planned developments, and street vacations.

4:09

This commission serves as a recommending body to the city council.

4:12

In that regard, our decisions in the are in the form of a recommendation to be presented to the city council.

4:18

The city council will make the final decision on those matters.

4:21

Subdivision approval requires the affirmative vote of six members of the planning commission.

4:26

All matters which are recommendations, city council require majority vote for an affirmative recommendation.

4:32

Do any members of the commission have any conflicts of interest as to any agenda matters before us tonight?

4:38

If so, please state for the record.

4:42

Having heard none, I would ask staff to confirm on the record that the proper notice has been given to all parties and interests as required by law as to all matters before the commission tonight.

4:52

It has.

4:53

Okay.

4:54

With that, we will begin with approval of the minutes.

5:00

As the planning and zoning commission has received the synopsis of the July 2025 meeting, I move that we dispense with the reading of those minutes of the same unless there are any deletions, additions, or corrections.

5:08

All those in favor approval of the July 2025 meeting say aye.

5:12

Aye aye.

5:12

Those opposed, ayes have it.

5:18

Good evening, Commission.

5:19

Starting off tonight with the consent agenda.

5:22

We have four items here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████52%
Community Engagement████████████14%
Zoning Regulations█████████10%
Transportation Safety███████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████7%
Procedural████5%
Affordable Housing█1%
Public Safety█1%
Workforce Development█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Date: August 18, 2025

The Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission met on August 18, 2025, to consider several rezoning, annexation, subdivision, and street vacation petitions. The meeting included public comments, staff presentations, and commission discussions. Key decisions included denial of a rezoning near Forest Lake, approval of an annexation but denial of rezoning for a commercial project on Hargrove Road, and unanimous approval of a riverfront planned development near Jack Warner Parkway.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved consent agenda items ZS7125, S7525, S8125 (clarified as eight condominium units), and S8225.
  • Approved continuance of S7625 (waiting on county variance).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Linda Parsons (Forest Lake Neighborhood Association) opposed rezoning at 2100 and 2102 Fifth Avenue East, citing the recent framework planning process and risk of setting a precedent.
  • Carolyn Booth (3709 34th Avenue East) and Isaiah Harper (3743 34th Avenue East) opposed the Hargrove Road annexation/rezoning, citing traffic safety, neighborhood character, and lack of community engagement by the petitioner.
  • Doug Simpson (HOA President, Acadian Place) and Adam Ingram (Acadian Place resident, civil engineer) opposed the River Bluff subdivision annexation, requesting a traffic study, buffer, lot size consistency, and meeting with the developer.
  • Judy York (3690 River Bluff Drive) opposed the River Bluff subdivision, citing loss of privacy, property value impacts, drainage concerns, and no prior contact from petitioner. She requested a continuance for discussion.
  • Steve Gaddis (623 Fifth Street Northeast) expressed concerns about the Ivory Bluff townhome development, including parking, traffic, property values, and buffer near his home.

Discussion Items

  • Rezoning and Subdivision at 2100/2102 Fifth Avenue East (Z1725 & S6325): Petition to rezone from SFR1 to MR1 and subdivide 0.84 acres into five lots. Staff noted conformity with framework (Traditional Neighborhood Edge). Commissioners debated lot density (five lots), parking, trash, and potential precedent. Public comment opposed. Rezoning motion failed (4-5?); subdivision motion passed (7-2) contingent on rezoning.
  • Rezoning at 2678 21st Street (Z1925): Rezone from NC to MR1 for single-family homes. Unanimous approval.
  • Hargrove Micro Park Annexation, Rezoning, and Subdivision (I1425, Z2025, S6925): Petition to annex 2.3 acres, rezone to GC, and consolidate lots for office/warehouse. Staff noted non-conformity with framework (Suburban Residential). Commissioners questioned traffic, buffering, and county options. Public opposed. Annexation approved (7-1?); rezoning denied (unanimous); subdivision denied (5 yes, not enough for approval).
  • River Bluff Subdivision Annexation and Subdivision (I1525 & S???): Petition to annex 40.8 acres and subdivide into 31 lots. Commissioners expressed concerns about compatibility with adjacent Acadian Place, lack of neighbor outreach, and requested a continuance for the petitioner to meet with the HOA. Continuance granted unanimously.
  • Ivory Bluff RPD Rezoning, Subdivision, and Street Vacation (RPD0125, PS0825, V0225): Petition to rezone to Riverfront Planned Development for 20 townhomes, subdivide, and vacate an alley. Staff and petitioner presented details on design, parking, buffer walls, and courtyard. Public comment raised parking and buffering concerns. Commission praised the project. All three items approved unanimously.
  • Preliminary Plats: Approved eight preliminary plats (S7225, S7325, S7425, S7725, S7825, S7925, S8025, S8125) with minor variances, all with engineering support and no public opposition.

Key Outcomes

  • Rezoning Z1725 (Fifth Avenue East): Motion to approve failed (4-5?). Subdivision S6325 approved (7-2) contingent on rezoning approval by City Council.
  • Rezoning Z1925 (21st Street): Approved unanimously.
  • Annexation I1425 (Hargrove Road): Recommended for approval (7-1?).
  • Rezoning Z2025 (Hargrove Road): Recommended for denial (unanimous).
  • Subdivision S6925 (Hargrove Road): Denied (5 yes, not enough for 6-vote requirement).
  • River Bluff Annexation and Subdivision: Continued to allow petitioner to meet with HOA.
  • Ivory Bluff RPD, Subdivision, and Street Vacation: All approved unanimously.
  • Preliminary Plats S7225, S7325, S7425, S7725, S7825, S7925, S8025: Approved unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the August 18, 2025 meeting of the City of Tuscos of Planning and Zoning Commission. Any written comments sent to staff or forwarded to the commission directly. At this time, I'd like to introduce our staff. We have Mr. Jimbo Woodson, Deputy City Attorney. Michael Garner, City Engineer, Zach Pons, Director of Planning. Leota Coyne, Principal Planner. There are nine members of the Planning Commission, all of whom are appointed by the mayor for staggered terms, with the exception of the City Council representative who is appointed by the City Council. I ask Commission members introduce themselves and state their occupation for the record. Mr. Rumsey. Stephen Rumsey, Business Owner. Dina Prince, attorney. Portia Clark, 311 manager. Vince Dooley, UA Capus Planning. Anne Hornsby, attorney. Raven Howard, Councilwoman. Andy Pugh, retired. Bill Wright Business Owner. There were sign-up sheets located outside for public comment. Four speakers are allowed to speak in favor of a petition and four speakers are allowed to speak in opposition of a petition. All speakers will be having a maximum of five minutes unless the commission votes to allow a longer time. The commission will initially receive a presentation from the staff as to the details of the agenda item. Additionally, we may hear certain matters involving the same property, such as an annexation and a zoning matter concurrently, although we will take separate votes on each matter involving the same property. After the staff presentation, we'll then call upon the petitioner to present their case. The petition will have a maximum of 10 minutes unless the commission votes to allow a longer time. At the conclusion of the petitioner's remarks, we'll then call upon any party in order of sign-up who desires to support the petition. Thereafter, call on anybody who wishes to oppose the petition. When it's your turn for comment, please introduce yourself, stating your name and address to the commission to provide your remarks and do that at the microphone, please. Again, any written comments have been included into the record. 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 commission votes to allow a longer time. If the petitioner presents any new information in response to your objections, the commission will allow those who oppose the petition the opportunity to respond to the new information only. Any response will be limited to two minutes unless the commission votes to allow a longer time. During the course of this presentation, you may be interrupted by any member of the commission for clarification or additional information. Such interruptions will not reduce your time. Once the commission members are satisfied, they have received all relevant information. We'll then close further discussion by the public, at which time the commission members will discuss the matter and then vote. After the vote, you are free to leave. This commission serves as the final authority. Subdivisions located within the city limits, subdivisions located outside the city limits, but within the city's planning jurisdiction, developments with special district, and four approval letters for developments in historic district buffer zones. As to all remaining agenda matters, including annexations, rezonings, planned developments, and street vacations. This commission serves as a recommending body to the city council. In that regard, our decisions in the are in the form of a recommendation to be presented to the city council. The city council will make the final decision on those matters. Subdivision approval requires the affirmative vote of six members of the planning commission. All matters which are recommendations, city council require majority vote for an affirmative recommendation. Do any members of the commission have any conflicts of interest as to any agenda matters before us tonight? If so, please state for the record. Having heard none, I would ask staff to confirm on the record that the proper notice has been given to all parties and interests as required by law as to all matters before the commission tonight.

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