Good afternoon and welcome to our August 25th, 2025 meeting of the City of Tuscosa Zoning Board of Adjustments.

Now, any written comments that were sent to the staff were forwarded to the board directly.

I'd like to take the time to introduce our staff and members, Chad Hobbs, Senior Associate City Attorney.

Hudson Cheshire, uh, associate city attorney, Jonathan Bowen, zoning administrator, Lim O'Leary planner, Kevin Jones helping out with video in the back, and I ask that the board members introduce themselves, starting to my left.

Mary Catherine Holt.

Michelle Coley.

Paul Rollins Jr.

Now, the purpose of the zoning board of adjustments by virtue of the state law and city ordinance.

The purpose of the zoning board of adjustments is as follows.

Here's appeals from zoning officers' decisions, grant 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 an unnecessary hardship.

Circumstances that circumstances that are hardships include those that are self-influenced are not those that are self-inflicted or self-created or those that are inconvenient or personal.

Let me say that again.

Circumstances that are not hardships include those that are self-inflicted or self-created, inconvenient, and are personal.

The zoning board of adjustments does not interpret or enforce subdivision covenants or HOA rules.

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

There were signup 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 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 our 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 of the 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 already been included into our record.

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

Now any rebuttal will be limited to two minutes unless the board vote to allow longer time.

Now, if 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.

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

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

Now, such interruptions will not reduce your allowed time limit.

Now, once the board members are satisfied that they have received all relevant information, I will close further discussion by the public, at which time the board members will discuss the matter and then vote.

Now, after the vote, you see if you are free to leave at that time.

Now these proceedings are recorded being video recorded and broadcast live.

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

Now, 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.

With that, we will begin with the approval of minutes as the board of adjustments has received the synopsis for the June meeting.

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

I need a motion and a second to approve the synopsis.

Second.

Okay, voting.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Approved.

Okay, we'll start with staff presentations.

We've been waiting all day for this, Jonathan.

We'll get our T in here to get that situated.

Do we need to take a motion to move?

Yes, please.

Motion and I need a motion and then a second.

All right.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

We'll be on a five minute recess.

Back into session.

Um now we'll have presentation.

This never happens at council meeting, Jonathan.

Just make it fun for tonight.

If that happens again, we'll just pull up the staff reports.

That way we don't waste any additional time.

Okay.

So we'll begin with the cases requesting to be withdrawn.

First cases EBA fifty six twenty-five long leaf engineering petitions for a variance from the material standards for for commercial buildings.

This is on the property at thirty-three eleven and thirty-three twenty-seven Hartgrove Road East.

They are not in city limits.

They could not be here tonight, but they are requesting to withdraw this application.

Okay, so we need a motion.

Yes.

So move.

Second.

Voting?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

All right.

Approved.

All right.

Now we'll move on to our request waiver of rule thirteen.

Subama BNB Kim Roberts request a waiver of Rule thirteen to petition for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property at one the downs.

This was previously heard as ZBA forty-six twenty-five.

If the above waiver is granted, the petition would be heard at the September twenty twenty five meeting.

Uh just a quick summary of the request, and then we'll have the petitioner come up.

Uh the according to the applicant, the owner purchased the home that won the downs to use for personal use, intended use for short-term rental.

The owners were depending on the revenue that it would generate from the football season per the applicant.

Uh this would require the owner to wait six months if the waiver is not granted, it would create a financial hardship.

The applicant stated that the original petitioner did not understand the full process, and since the initial application, they the original applicant has hired a property management company, uh Bama B and B to manage the property.

If the waiver is granted, the applicant would ask for fewer adults and cars.

So we did receive a comment in opposition to granting this waiver, and we do have the applicant here in person.

You have any questions for staff.

So just so we're clear in order for the rules to apply.

Oh, she's gonna talk to that.

Kim Roberts.

The owner of this property has hired our company to begin managing this their property full time.

They do live out of state in Seattle.

And so we will be managing the property 24-7 as we do all of our other hundred-plus properties.

At the time last month when she came before the board, she didn't really understand the full process of how this worked, and she thought she could handle doing this on her own and did not understand the ramifications of some of her responses.

And immediately afterwards hired our company, and so I'm here to represent her property for this.

We have had another property in this neighborhood before that we managed, and we actually ended up having that property removed from licensing because they were a non-compliance with us, and we uh do not tolerate that from our owners, nor do we tolerate it with guests.

And so in this particular situation in that neighborhood, that license was removed.

So we feel like we can easily manage this property and keep the neighbors happy with what's going on there.

We have two other properties than just walking distance of this uh house as well.

So we are willing, very happy to reduce the numbers this first year uh to what you had recommended at the previous meeting.

Uh are there any questions I can answer for you?

Any questions?

So you mentioned last month she came in and she uh wasn't aware of everything that she should have been made aware of, but did she have a manager listed last month?

I'm not having a hard time hearing.

Did she have a manager listed?

So she did not have a manager at the time.

She hired us after that last meeting.

So who was going to be the local representative last month?

Did she have one either?

She was representing herself.

But the local person, so local contact person.

Did she have a local contact person listed?

Uh last time.

I I'm not sure.

I I don't know what she did on that application on who she listed.

I I want to say that maybe she had her daughter listed.

That's a college daughter.

Okay.

Mayor Kherson.

So again, I wasn't here, but I guess the going back to the uh the two items.

It sounds like you had the bylaws there.

Sounds like the significant modifications that have been made is that she's hired a management company.

Was that the big issue?

Well, the big issue was the um number of cars and the number of adults.

And so because it was her first time, we asked her to do it to if she would be willing to lower it, and I don't think she understood that what we were asking her about lowering it, and she was I guess stuck on the amount of cars and people that she had to have, and I don't think she understood that we were making a recommendation.

And what is the recommendation if they go for four and two?

Okay.

All right.

And so would you be if we move forward?

Is that okay now?

Absolutely.

Okay.

Um questions.

Was she given it uh an option to withdraw last month?

No.

We did not offer withdrawal to her.

No.

We didn't say do you want to withdraw and think about it.

She made a decision and she just moved forward and then we ruled on it.

Yeah.

And so that's what happened on that.

Other questions.

Okay, thank you, Ms.

Roberts.

Sure.

So now, Jonathan, are we just voting on that?

She can come back, or are we voting on giving the four and two, which or is it two separate things?

Yes, so right now the vote would be to either approve the request for the waiver or to deny the request for the waiver.

Uh, prior to that, it is up to the board.

You know, this is a public hearing whether or not they want to open it up for public comment.

I do know that we received some uh letters of of opposition to grant the waiver.

Um, so it may be beneficial to start with that and then move on to board comment.

All right, we have Eric Lake here that uh like to speak in opposition.

Esteemed members of the zoning board of adjustment.

My name is Dr.

Eric Lake.

I'm the owner of the house at 20 the Downs.

I spoke here last time.

Uh thank you for adjudicating this hearing.

It cannot be easy to balance the rights and interest of so many people.

I formally oppose Bama BMB's waiver request to forego the six-month waiting period before making a new application for a zoning exception for a short-term rental at one of the downs.

The Downs is a historic residential neighborhood comprised entirely of single family homes and has long been appreciated for its stability, tranquility, and location.

As designated historic district, the neighborhood is afforded certain protections to preserve its unique identity, and those protections played a significant role in my decision to make it my home.

As you all know, I'm a disabled military veteran who suffers from hypervigilance due to the many improvised explosive devices I define disarmed and defeated in the service of our country.

Let me be a little clearer about what my condition entails, since the owner of number one, the downs misunderstood my comment at the last hearing when she essentially said there is danger everywhere and I should get over it.

My condition has nothing to do with danger.

In fact, I operate better when there is danger.

My condition occurs when one lives in a heightened state of danger for an extended period of time.

When I perceive potential danger, I physically spin up into a hypermania where all of my senses are heightened.

This is great for combat combat, but not Tuscaloosa or my daily life as a professor at the University of Alabama.

The problem with spinning up is not just the adrenaline that shoots into my system.

The larger problem is that what comes up must come down.

Hypermania is often followed by hypomania.

This is why explosive ordnance disposal individuals like me have the highest rates of suicide in the U.S.

military, bar none.

We kill ourselves more often than any other profession.

This is a fact that you can check with a simple Google search.

Surviving over 1,300 individual attempts to take your life changes your life.

As a result, I live my life constantly looking for situations that will require de escalation.

I avoid them and mitigate against them.

One of the ways I do this, that is by getting to know my neighbors, seeing their faces, and registering that they are friendlies and belong in the spaces they share with me.

My neighbors can attest to this because I always wave when I see them.

I am that guy in the neighborhood.

Other ways I mitigate potential hypermania is to steal is to steer clear of them.

A short-term rental at one the downs complicates my life severely.

One the Downs occupies a highly visible and strategic location at the entrance of our neighborhood.

As my neighbors have said in their written comments, it's used as a short-term rental directly impacts traffic flow, noise levels, and overall perception of the community for both residents and visitors.

However, for me, there is more.

It is simply who I am.

It would be incredibly difficult to do this for short-term renters.

When my wife and I were looking for a house, part of the reason we chose the Downs is that we thought the historical designation of the neighborhood would limit short-term disruptions and provide a place that was conducive to my well-being.

Indeed, now that we've been there going on five years, I have found that the peaceful and predictable environment of the Downs is essential to my well-being.

That is why the possibility of frequent disruptions associated with a short-term rental so close to my home and so strategically placed is deeply concerning.

I asked the board the same question I did at the last hearing regarding one the Downs.

Where in Tuscaloosa can disabled veterans like myself live?

What community in Tuscaloosa is safe from having those rules that govern and bring stability, not constantly challenged by investors who themselves are outsiders to the community.

I'm not asking that one the downs not have cars on the side of the street or throw wild parties.

I'm just asking when I knock on the door with an issue, I be greeted.

I be greeted by the same friendly face I see when I wave at them from my porch, or as I see them while walking around the community.

I love so much.

I don't care who that person is or what they look like.

I just need them to be consistent and considerate.

Unfortunately, these are two things that will be difficult, very difficult with a short-term rental.

As such, I urge the board to consider the long-term implications of granting this request to waive the six-month waiting period, not only for those of us who are currently live there, but also for the preservation.

I see my time is up.

Thank you.

Any questions?

Thank you.

Is there anyone else that'd like to speak against this petition?

Come up for it, please.

Hi there.

My name is Charter Morris.

I live in Three of the Downs, directly next door to One the Downs.

I did submit some comments.

I just want to speak to the undue burden that is being sought to be remedied by the waiver.

In our meeting a little over a month ago, uh, when uh the owner of One the Downs was questioned by the zoning board here.

You gave her multiple opportunities to make uh some reasonable accommodations being requested by uh her neighbors and by this board.

Uh at the time she was adamant that if she was not granted the number of adults and cars uh that she was seeking, that she would not make profit on the property itself.

The undue burden uh that she's claiming, I believe, is a bit of a false one.

The result of that evening and her decision to stick with the original request of the cars and the number of adults that she was seeking to have rezone for the short-term rentals, led to this board's unanimous rejection of her request.

That unanimous rejection was brought upon by herself.

That undue burden with her on.

The result of that evening as we left here, I exited out these hallways by the stairwell and was followed by the owner of number one, the downs, who, as she caught up to me, told me very clearly that I could have just come over to talk to her and we could have resolved all this.

And she kind of harassed me as I'm leaving the building.

I didn't say much to her.

Fast forward to August 7th.

I sent you some pictures that were shared to with me by one of my neighbors.

August 7th, I had an outpatient surgery in Northport.

I was put under, I slept through the entire day, and about 5 p.m.

when I finally woke up groggy in a t-shirt and jeans.

I thought I can at least walk to the mailbox, I'll check the mail.

And as I did so, I saw the entire row of vehicles that had been brought and parked along the street by number one the downs.

Now, can someone who is an owner and resident park along the street?

Absolutely.

But this was done as a show.

She blames me and the rest of the neighbors for what happened for the resulting decision by the zoning board.

This was her way of lashing out.

Among those many vehicles is her own rep with Bama B that was pictured there in those pictures.

Not only is one side of the street covered, but the other side of the street as well.

And I just want to bring up to the fact that I had already noted that my house caught fire back in January, and I was worried about emergency services access.

And here on a day when I'm coming out of a minor outpatient surgery, and I'm dealing with the side effects of all of the things that were pumped into me to put me under.

I'm thinking, what if an ambulance needed to be called?

And I could not have had that ambulance get through.

I'm sure the neighbors would have scrambled and the many guests that she had would have moved their cars, all seven or eight of them that were blocking the street so that that ambulance could get to me on time, but I worry that it really couldn't have been.

She asked us, and I have a minute left.

She asked us the day before we were to have our hearing uh with the last zoning board meeting to come meet with her if they had concerns.

Many of our neighbors did.

She changed nothing about her plans or anything else.

She actually kind of peshawed all of it.

Don't worry about it.

I have a daughter, she lives here, she goes to school here, she'll take care of things.

She really didn't think this through that she needed proper management, that she needed to take care of this and treat it like the business it was going to be because it's gonna generate 40 something thousand dollars of income for her per year.

She thinks of it as nothing.

She thinks of the house as nothing.

This 400,000 investment to her is not what it's is not being treated the way it should be.

I need her to take it seriously.

I think she needs to be given the six months to come up with a plan that addresses the neighbors' concerns and bring it back before the zoning board properly.

I think that that is a reasonable thing, and I do not think that that's an undue burden.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is anyone else that'd like to speak for or against have a Nina McMullen sign to speak in favor?

No.

Okay.

Anyone else would like to speak for or against?

Okay, at this time we'll close public comment and we'll go to board.

Do we do need to do board comment or do we just vote?

It's up to the board.

Do we need to make com comments, Mary Path and comments?

This is a hard one for me because I was not here to hear the original petitioners.

So I don't know how much of this is accurate, what I'm hearing.

Um however we want to handle it as time.

I mean this is a tough one.

She was given a lot of opportunities, but um I don't know.

I just I think that I I appreciate the comments from the individuals from the neighborhood, and especially the last comment because he was very clear we did give a lot of opportunity, and we did express.

I know I personally said, so you are saying if we do four or two, you will not take it.

And she said no, and so I don't, you know, uh, I don't see anything other than going to property management.

Um, and if you met with her and talked to her, and I think that um you know this, like he said, is this a business, and this is money is going to be generated.

So that's where I'm leaning there.

Mr.

Rollins.

Uh just as Mrs.

Holt wasn't here at the last meeting, I was absent as well.

Um, but looking just on the face value as to if we should uh grant this waiver.

If she brought it to the board, and um Mrs.

Roberts mentioned that she didn't have a manager at that time.

It's one thing to not have a property manager, but if she had everything else in place, she said her daughter was here, so it's not a situation where we asked her who is your local person, and she says, Well, I don't have one, and then she comes back and says, Would not have Miss Roberts.

She said her daughter's gonna be the local person.

She had a request for a certain number of vehicles and cars.

She was given the opportunity to reduce it.

She decided not to.

And her hardship, we know your hardship can't be financial.

So you can't look and say, Well, if I have to wait six months, I'm gonna lose X amount of dollars.

So I I'm not in favor of grant the waiver as off of those uh items I just listed.

Okay, at this time we'll close board comment and we'll commence with the vote.

I'll I guess I need to read the petition.

Petitions for a waiver of Rule 13 requiring a six-month waiting period after a denial of a petition by the board.

Bama BNB Kim Roberts request a waiver of Rule 13 to petition of a special exception to allow a short-term rental of a property located at one of the downs previously heard as ZBA-46-25.

Voting with Ms.

Holt.

No.

No.

No, no.

Petition fails.

We'll move into our cases to be heard, uh, beginning with ZBA 57.

Kim Roberts petitions for a variance from the accessory structure regulations.

This is on the property at 46 Sherwood Drives on SFR1H, Council District 4.

Here we have the zoning of the property as well as that aerial view.

This is an image submitted by the petitioner showing on the left-hand side where the gazebo would be located, and on the right hand side, the view from the street, noting that it would be covered and you could not see it from the public street.

Here we have just some photos uh from staff.

So the request is for a variance from the accessory structure regulations to build a gazebo in the front yard.

The petitioner has stated that the metal gazebo would be shielded by mature bushes, planted in front of the property, and the hardships is that they do not have a backyard to use since the house sits so close to the rear property line.

Here we have the site plan.

You can see the 20 by 18 playgarden, which is located just uh, you know, across the street or right beside those bushes, and then here we have an image of the gazebo.

Deplicable regulations, this applies to all accessory structures.

Number one cannot be located closer to a street than the primary structure.

Uh, we did not receive any public comments for this request, and we do have the representative here in person.

Do you have any questions for staff?

So go back to the picture in front of the house we'll cut bushes right here.

Yes.

So she's saying that structure will not be taller.

Those structures won't that structure won't be taller than those that shrubs or hedges.

I will let her confirm the height.

We did not receive a height, but I believe that is the intention is that it would not be visible if you were standing in the road.

And it's legal to have this in front of the house, like because it's like bushes.

Landscaping, you can you can have those.

Um I know that in our engineering office there are some line of sight issues here.

This has existed, they're at the end of a cul-de-sac, so I don't think there's any issues with those being located there.

Okay.

So I was looking at it like a fence, you know, how you couldn't have a fence in front, like okay.

Yeah, trees and and bushes, those are excluded outside of the fence and walls.

All right.

Any other questions for the city?

But is it going is it going on the brick pavers?

That's right.

Yeah, I essentially right in the middle.

And the reason for the request is that it's in the front of the house, is in the front yard.

That's correct.

Yeah.

Can you put on the site plan and keep it there?

Yes.

So for context, the front of the house is located here, and then you have the road here.

Do we have an aerial view of the property?

Yes.

So for context, that approximately would be located here.

The petitioner can confirm that exact location.

Uh, but essentially it would be between the house and the road.

Could it be in that site?

Could it be put in that side part?

It would essentially have to be somewhere in this vicinity.

It could go there without having to come before us.

That's correct.

Okay.

All right.

All right, Ms.

Roberts.

Kim Roberts, 46 Sherwood Drive, 35401.

Uh we have uh an antique gazebo that we purchased.

It was built in the early 1900s.

That was the white structure that you saw.

Um, it is already pre-constructed.

It's just would just be set onto that uh concrete patio area that we have.

Uh its intent is to be for the weddings that we're doing uh there at the house.

And so we already have along the road you saw the picture of the Iliagnes bushes that were approved many years ago, about 10 years ago, in fact.

And so those stand about uh somewhere between eight and ten feet in height.

Uh and then we uh planted the holly bushes just to add one more layer of um to to block the view, you know, from the street.

Uh so there would not be you wouldn't be able to see it, you know, from there.

And then we plan to also plant um climbing ivy onto the trellis of the uh gazebo, so it'll just blend in with the bushes.

How tall are your holly bushes?

The those hollybushes right there are 10 feet right now and will grow to be about 15.

Yeah, how tall is your structure?

12.

So it's taller than the hollybushes.

Right, and so the bushes that are behind it are also about the same height as those trees, but continuing to grow.

So is there any reason why it can't go on the side of the house versus this location?

Well, the side of the house is already fully landscaped, it has a large gazebo that y'all approved when we were building the pavilion.

Uh the the structure in the side yard, you know, has a roof and it's very substantial.

This is just a small garden um accessory basically.

It doesn't have a roof, it doesn't have walls, it's just a metal um antique metal gazebo.

Any more questions for Ms.

Roberts?

Okay, thank you.

Okay.

We don't have anybody signed up to speak for or against.

Is there anybody in the audience they like to speak for or against this petition?

Okay, at this time we'll close public comment and go to board comment, Miss Holt.

Um because of the landscaping that's already been approved and the height that it'll grow to.

I think I'm okay with this.

It doesn't seem to be a huge structure, so I think I'm okay with it.

Yeah, I'm I'm not I'm alright with it as well, but I would like to ask city staff.

I mean, can we put a stipulation to ensure she puts the ivory so it will blend with the rest of the landscape?

Uh if you want to make that a condition, if this were to be approved, that would be appropriate.

I think if she did that and would she stated she already would, I believe uh I would I have no issue.

Seeing it with the uh the landscaping and how it's going to be concealed, I don't see it being a major issue.

Um, I had some when it first came up and I was thinking about it, I was like, okay, I didn't see these pictures, and I was like, okay, this is gonna be in the front yard, but um, I see now it blends in, and I don't see any issue, and I'm okay with the stipulation about the ivy being on it or having something kind of to make it blend in at all times because Ivy during the certain time goes away, right?

So I think it's stays green, it stays green.

Okay.

Uh yeah, I have no issues with it.

Umitially, I think when we think about a an accessory structure in the front yard, we may be thinking of um a structure with four walls, and it may be something that may block traffic if I'm coming down the street.

Um but with this particular accessory structure, I have no issues with it.

Um, and the house is on a call to sex, so you won't have a lot of traffic going up and down, it might be blocking a driveway or something like that.

Okay, we'll close board comment.

I'll read the petition.

ZBA-57-25.

Kim Roberts petitions for a variance from the accessory structure regulations on the property located at 46 Sherwood Drive, zone SFR-18 Council District 4 with the stipulation Ivy.

Um, I guess how do we Ivy stipulating the Ivy to cover greenery our greenery to cover the gazebo, the structure.

So stipulating greenery to cover the gazebo, the structure.

Voted with Ms.

Holt.

Yes.

Yes, yes, yes, petition approved.

Next case is ZBA 5825.

John Markham petitions for a special exception to locate a temporary office and restroom on the property at 2500 Greensboro Avenue.

It's on IL Council District 2.

Here we have the zoning of the property as well as that aerial view.

This is an image of the existing building and screen area.

Here we have the applicable regulations.

These are specific to temporary uses and structures, specifically for temporary mobile and modular structure.

The request is for a special exception to locate the office and restroom on the property for use during the construction of a new office and warehouse.

The existing warehouse will be used for business during the construction, and the existing office building will be demolished.

So according to the petitioner, the anticipated timeline is to have the portable office in place by October 1st of this year and then removed by August 15th of 2026.

So here we have an image of what that temporary structure would look like on your left are your exterior elevations, and then on your right hand side is what the floor plan looks like.

And this is just a general site plan.

They do note where the portable office will be located, and then they show plans for the new future building.

We did receive one comment in opposition to this request.

We have the applicants here in person.

Do you have any questions for staff?

All right.

No questions, thank you.

Um Markham.

Good evening, board.

I'm John Markham.

I'm with Markham Architects.

We represent the owner.

My address is 1510 17th Avenue East.

Um, as was already stated, we're in the process of designing a 12,000 plus square foot office warehouse, which will be a permanent structure.

Obviously, the modular office is just to let the owner use the existing warehouse while construction is taking place for it'll probably be there for eight months in reality, uh, but we'll ask for a little bit longer just in case.

Um they will be like I said, they'll be using the existing warehouse while construction is taking place.

So it's really just a place for their staff to to be into for sales to take place during the interim while the construction is taking place.

And it is temporary, obviously.

Any questions?

No.

Okay, thank you.

So thank you.

Um we don't have anybody signed up to speak for or against.

Is there anybody in the audience to like to speak for against this petition?

At this time, we'll close public comment.

We'll go to board comment.

Ms.

Holt.

Um I don't I don't have any issue with this.

I I believe he said that they anticipated having it there for eight months, but it asked for looks like they've asked for 10 months just to be safe.

As long as it is is gone within that time frame, I'm fine with this.

Yeah, I agree with my fellow board members.

As long as we limit it uh to 10 months, I have no issue.

I agree with my fellow board members limiting it 10 months.

I agree, I have no issues.

Okay.

At this time, we'll close board comment.

I'll leave read the petition.

ZBA-58-25.

John Markham petitions for a special exception to locate a temporary office and restroom on the property located at 2500 Greensboro Avenue, zoned IL Council District 2 with the stipulation must be removed by August 2026.

Voting with Ms.

Holt, yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

Petition approved.

Moving on to our next case tonight, ZBA 7225.

Juan Pascal petitions for a special exception to operate a light vehicle repair shop at the property located at 4201 Greensboro Avenue, zone GC, Council District 7.

Here we have the zoning of the property as well as an aerial view.

Here's the front of that existing structure and the garage to the rear.

Here's a shot of the fence and some of the parking and a shot of the entire property.

As you can see, that red structure in the back is the uh the main garage, and then you can see it in the front as well.

So it's part of the request.

The petitioner is requesting a special exception to operate a tire shop.

The building was previously used as a mechanical shop.

They'll be performing services like the sale and installation of tires, brakes, and tire alignments.

Um the business will not be performing any mechanical work except for light vehicle repairs.

All the tires will be stored inside the building.

They'll be operating from Monday to Saturday, 7 30 to 5 30, and they'll have two full-time employees.

Here's the applicable regulations for light vehicle repair.

As part of these regulations, uh staff would recommend that the board place a uh condition if approved that the applicant work with staff on an appropriate screening material for the fence.

Um, I believe we have the petitioners in person.

Do you have any questions for staff?

So does there does that fence have to be screened if they're gonna park cars back there?

They have to have some screening.

Yeah, that's what that screen that should be screened.

That's correct.

Okay, all right.

Thank you, Lynn.

Thank you.

Good job.

Uh one Pascal.

Hello, my name is Amy.

I'm his daughter.

He wasn't able to make it today.

Um, do y'all have any questions?

We need your name, full name, and your address.

Okay, Amy Pascual Domingo.

My address is 4101 Eleanor Street.

I live with my father.

Okay.

Um is he gonna have it screened?

Is he gonna put screening on the fence?

Um, whatever needs to be fixed, he'll be able to cooperate with y'all.

If the fence well, um do y'all mean it needs to be like blacked out or yeah, so that we can't see if he has cars parked back there, he's gonna have to have some screen on the fencing so that we can't see anything in the back.

Is that just if cars are parked overnight?

Or or if it's used as that's something we we would advise if just put the condition that there is screen.

Is there going to be work with staff?

Yeah, just and then we can work with the applicant on the specifics, material, placement, location, all those things.

Gotcha.

Okay, okay.

Any other questions?

No other questions.

Thank you, Amy.

Thank you.

Good job.

Is there anyone in the audience that like to speak for or against this petition?

Okay, at this time we'll close public comment, sir.

Did you all right?

So we close public comment.

We'll go to board comment, Ms.

Holt.

Um, I I'm fine with the stipulation of the screening.

Yeah, I have no issue.

It's like it's been a auto repair, some type of auto business before.

So uh as long as they do the screen, I have no issue.

I agree.

Um, I don't have any issue.

This is the purpose that it's been used for since its inception, so I'm okay with it.

I have no issues, I'm in favor.

Okay, at this time we'll close board comment.

I'll read the petition.

ZBA-72-25.

John Juan Pascal petitions for a special exception to operate a light vehicle repair shop on the property located at 4201 Greensboro Avenue Zone GC, Council District 7, with the stipulation of fence being screened.

Voting with Ms.

Holt.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes, yes.

Petition approved.

All right, we'll move into our short-term rentals.

First case is ZBA 6025.

Justin Durham petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property.

This is located at 4574 Royale Drive zone GPD Council District 3.

Here we have the zoning of the property as well as an aerial view.

We did not have any short-term rentals in the area.

And then here we have the house and the parking area.

So this request is essentially the same.

You saw it last month, but they have made some slight changes.

So Justin Durham will be the primary contact.

The petitioner does not have experience managing short-term rentals.

The house will be equipped with ring doorbell and a keypad locks, and it is owner occupied.

Now last month the request was for eight adults and four vehicles.

Staff made uh the condition that two cars must park in the garage.

The applicant said they could not accommodate that at the meeting, so the board approved four adults and two vehicles.

Now the applicant is back saying they can accommodate two vehicles in the garage, so they would like to request for eight adults and four vehicles.

Staff checked out that they can accommodate that.

So our office of city engineers felt confident if they could get two vehicles in the garage that we would be comfortable with eight and four.

But this petitioner does not have previous experience with a short-term runner.

They do not know.

They were approved last month.

They were approved last month, but for four and two for adults and two.

So that's why they are back asking for the eight, the full eight and four with the condition that two are in the garage.

So last month, the original request was eight and four.

That's correct.

And the question is centered around the garage, right?

And they can get two cars in the garage now.

Well, last month did six and three come up.

No, it was not discussed.

It makes it the picture because see they couldn't get two in the two in the garage.

So the driveway would only take the two in the driveway.

So you couldn't even get one in the garage last week.

Or last month.

So four and two.

Last month when we looked at it, they could not put the two or wouldn't put the two in the garage.

And so we only could put two cars in the driveway.

Um Justin Durham.

Hi, I'm Justin Durham, uh, 4574 Royal Isle Drive.

Thanks for the synopsis about that.

Um the issue was um I was surprised about the the two cars in the garage.

We had planned to put the stuff that we just didn't want the short-term rental or stuff to see into the garage.

But my wife is the real quick thinker, and so when I talked to her, she's like, of course, we can put two cars in the garage.

We put two cars in the garage as it as it is now.

So that's why I'm back.

Um the staff last time recommended eight and four.

I I to be quite honest, just panicked last time.

Um in the past, before with the previous owners, it was approved for nine uh guests before.

So I just asked that we do what the staff recommended eight and four.

I'm sorry, it was ten, it was approved for ten previous owner.

It was approved for how many ten is what the previous owner taught told us.

You see that, Jonathan?

I will double check to verify that information and can let you know.

How long ago was that?

I have no idea exactly.

We we've lived there for four years.

I've only been to three.

I don't know how long I've been here.

Have you uh 10 is like yeah?

That we could regardless.

I don't we're not looking for 10 people, we're just looking for the eight and four.

Yeah, we're in a neighborhood with um neighbors, we usually don't even go eight and four.

Um, because that's a lot of people with kids.

What do you see, Jonathan?

They were approved for eight and four, the previous application.

How long ago was that?

2020.

2020.

It was a COVID year.

They were they were also approved times before.

This was back previous to our current policies to where now staff, if there are no issues, staff can approve those.

So they came to you as a board, you voted to approve it for a year, they came back and they got reapproved after there were no issues.

So show us the aerial view again.

And there is.

Oh okay.

Okay.

I see why now.

There's nobody next.

You don't have a neighbor.

No, ma'am.

On the one side.

No, no, not on that on that side.

It's just the woods.

And so for people who might be wondering how is this different?

He was approved.

So when you're approved, you can just come back and ask for more without an issue.

Um any other questions for him.

And and your reason for not using the garage last month.

Or not being open to use the garage because you have items in the garage.

Sorry.

Sorry, that you didn't want to that you didn't want the guests to have access to.

Right.

So we just clutter and things like that that we were just going to put into the garage.

Um, just as an easy thing.

Since we talked about it, we found places for the clutter and have no issues putting the two cars in the garage.

I have a lot very large vehicle.

My wife has a small SUV, and we can get the cars in there, it's not an issue.

It was just a matter of um willingness the last time.

Um again, I was shocked, not the quick thinker, and went was sick to my stomach when I got home because I I messed it up.

I knew, and I'd looked at my wife and said I got messed it up.

She said yes, you did.

You need it.

I love your honesty.

Your wife was like, of course we well, you had a plan.

She told you we're gonna put the stuff in the garage, and you were born with the plan.

I have the plan now.

Okay, thank you so much, Mr.

Dural.

Thank you.

Anyone else have uh want to speak for or against this petition?

At this time, we'll close public comment and we'll go with board comment.

I have a question.

If we end up voting yes for this, does there one year start from this month?

Yes.

Okay.

Um, so generally I'm not a big fan of eight and four, especially when a petitioner does not have uh short-term rental experience.

Sounds like there's a precedent here.

It seems like the site is you know, the neighborhood is pretty forgiving for you know that many people, so I'm okay with it.

Yeah, usually we uh like to start off six and three, but I mean, uh considering this specific situation where the house has been approved in the past for eight and four.

He doesn't have a neighbor uh to the right of the house.

I I'll be okay with aid and four this time.

I I agree, and he's got his plan on the sticky notes, and his wife seems like she's gonna run it, so I'm okay with it as well.

Yeah, I have no issues as well.

Uh question last month.

Did we have any opposition from neighbors?

No.

There was one letter in opposition.

We had no letters in opposition this month.

I have no issues.

I'm in favor of eight and four, uh, especially with it previously being approved for eight and four.

Okay.

So at this time we'll close board comment.

I'll read the petition.

CBA-60-25, Justin Durham petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 4574 World Drive Zone GPD, Council District 3, with the stipulation of eight adults, four vehicles, 30 nights, one year.

Voting with Ms.

Holt, yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

Tell your wife you're approved, Justin.

Next case is ZBA 6125.

Marion Snow petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 4336 Ridgewood Road.

This property is on SFR 1 Council District 5.

Here we have the zoning of the property, as well as that aerial view.

There are no short-term rentals in the surrounding area.

And then here we have a view of the house and that parking pad.

So Marion Snow will be the primary contact and be available 24 hours a day.

The petitioner does have experience managing short-term rentals in the area.

This house is equipped with keypad locks and security cameras, and it is owner-occupied.

House has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The petitioner requests eight adults and four vehicles.

If approved, staff would recommend eight adults and four vehicles.

We did not, or we did actually receive one comment in support and one comment in opposition to this request.

Do you have any questions for staff?

Go back to the aerial view for us.

Are there two driveways or just one?

That is my understanding, but I'll let that confirm.

All right, Miss Snow.

Hi.

I was born and raised here, went to the University of Alabama, and then I moved uh to the Chicago suburbs and started managing properties about 1990.

So then after I managed there, they were my own properties.

I uh moved to St.

Louis, and there I had 20 units that I managed, and then I moved to North Carolina, Eastern North Carolina, and I had a beachfront four-bedroom short-term rental property on the beach.

So I had several years of managing that.

Then when I moved back to Tuscaloosa, I bought a property on 30th Avenue at Alberta.

And this was in 2016 before the um regulations took effect the summer of 17.

So I had a year of managing that for game day rentals basically, but other rentals for that year.

Then I sold that property.

I bought this one, and it's been my residence for nine years.

I had plans to do this for years and just never did it.

So now I've decided okay, I've done it.

So I have a relative who lives on that street, who is the place where I'll be when I do have rentals, and then I have a sister and a mother who also live in Tuscaloosa County.

So I have three or four places that I could go when I do have game day rentals.

So Mary Catherine had the question about the it looks like there's two driveways, one all the time.

There are um the am I speaking too loud?

I feel like I'm echoing the the the drive you saw up to the front of the house to the garage is from Ridgewood, and then that's like a a blank dead-end street that the original developers put that it never went anywhere.

So you can't see it under where those trees are, but there is a metal garage that has been built and it has a side driveway to it.

Okay, so there's a allowable parking there as well as the parking on my my front drive.

Okay, and it it goes nowhere, it's just dead in.

Okay.

Any more questions?

All right, thank you so much.

Thanks.

We have um is this one or we have one person signed up to speak in opposition, Charles Bale.

Good afternoon, or good evening.

My name's Charles Bell.

I live at 4351, Timberdale Drive.

That's in the Hillsdale neighborhood.

Uh my property is adjacent to this property.

Um I moved into this neighborhood about 18 years ago.

And over these 18 years ago, the property, uh the neighborhood has gone down.

I'm sure that the properties values have gone down.

Um keep the grass cut, don't keep their properties looking up to the what they should.

Um so of course you know that I'm against this uh rezoning situation.

The short-term rentals, you're gonna have the people come in, rent the place for a week, two weeks.

These people are gonna be uh in and out, gonna be cars on the street.

Um you may she may rent it for a weekend, big party is whatever, maybe 10 or 20 people in there.

Um like I said, people coming in and out, vagrants, vagrancy, migrants coming in and out of riff raff in the area coming in and out of there.

So I'm against this rezoning of this property, and I thank you for letting me speak.

Thank you, Mr.

Bale.

Is there anybody else in the audience that'd like to speak for or against this petition?

Would you like to respond, Miss uh Marion?

I understand the the rules required for no street parking, and I have rentals rules already put together that I've used previously, and that includes that no guests in the property unless they're registered, which would mean it would be limited to the number that we're listed for, and of course, no parking on the street, the ordinances about noise.

I've got that with the decibel levels and what hours that's supposed to be.

So every person who is basically doing the short-term rental will be advised of all the the rules that apply.

So the street parking won't be an issue because it's not allowed.

And this is your personal home, right?

It is.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Thanks.

All right, this time we'll close public comment and we'll go to board comment with Ms.

Holt.

Well, you read the petition.

ZBA-61-1.

Sam, I'm not listening to you.

Ms.

Holt comments.

Um get my thoughts together after that.

Uh I understand there's sometimes concerns with short-term rentals going into neighborhoods, especially when there aren't others in neighborhoods, uh, or aren't others already in that neighborhood.

I do feel like though, um, especially when we have a house that is owner-occupied, that there's like a heightened level of care that goes into who rents those properties and making sure that um there aren't people in there who are going to in some way deteriorate the home or the neighborhood.

And so for those reasons, um, I feel comfortable with this.

Again, we've got an eight and four, which um because of your past history with rentals.

Um, I'm okay with um I'm okay with the short-term rental.

I believe I'd literally see the six and three starting out.

Um your first one here.

I know you have history with it, but that's what I rather see.

Surprisingly, this one go back to the picture because it doesn't have anybody on th two three sides of it, and that street between it and the big yard between it.

I'm okay.

Rarely am I okay with eight and four, but this time I am okay, but I'll go with what the majority of the board is wanting to do.

Yeah, I have no issues.

I'm in favor with uh eight and four or six and three.

Your call.

I'm okay with the eight and four um on this particular issue and with her previous experience.

And just to look at and just know that we don't normally do eight and four, especially a first time because we don't we think that's close to a party, but this is a large house and it's rather secluded and it's far enough away from your guests and the way the house is positioned on the property, so I'm okay with that.

Um I'm gonna close board comment and then read the petition.

ZBA-61-25, Marion Snow petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 4336 Ridgewood Road Zone SFR-1 Council District 5.

Before we vote, I just want to make sure the petitioner that was opposed understands that it'll be limited to eight adults in four vehicles in the property.

So they won't be just a random number of folks there.

She lives in the property, so I'm sure she's gonna be mindful of who live who is gonna stay in her property.

So I do understand I heard your concerns, so I don't want you to think we negated your concerns.

Voting with Miss Holt, yes.

Yes, yes, yes, petition approved.

Next case is GBA 6225, Nina McMullen petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term run over property located at 2111 Herman Avenue, it's on SFR 5, Council District 1.

Here we have the zoning of the property and the aerial view.

There are no short-term rentals in this area, and then here we have a view of the house and the parking area.

So nine of McMullan will be the primary contact.

The petitioner does not have experience with short-term rentals, but they have lived in one while traveling as a nurse.

Petitioner has experience with long-term rentals.

The house will be equipped with security cameras, keypad locks.

It is not on or occupied, and it'll be used by the petitioner when it's not being rented short-term.

House has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The petitioner requests two to four adults, six to eight vehicles.

If approved, staff would recommend four adults and two vehicles.

We did not receive any public comment.

We do have this applicant here in person.

Do you have any questions for staff?

Thanks.

McMullen.

Hello, I'm Nina McMullen.

Uh presently living in one four, I mean one for zero zero nine Marion Luke, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Tell us about your plans for the short-term rental.

Okay, my plans for short-term uh rental.

This uh property uh has uh over since 1958 been in my family.

The property been owned by my family.

Uh actually I was born and reared here at this property uh owned by my uh grandparents.

I uh inherited or acquired uh from family um for many years.

Um it has been unoccupied basically as a shelter uh for property furniture uh of uh 40 plus years I've been uh servant.

I call myself a servant.

I'm uh uh retired operating room nurse and uh deciding to retire, semi-retired and move back and decided to invest into this property uh and provide it as a service to the community.

Uh I feel as though uh my grandparents and my family would love to provide this service uh to people visiting Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and all uh mainly to uh preserve uh the house as well as um over the last I could say the four years that I had the property.

Uh we have maintained and kept that corner lot area where the uh house is located clean and uh secure.

Now, do you know do you have like um rules and regulations?

Yes, we submitted uh house rules that we develop uh uh to the uh city.

And you will be the person on call if something happens.

Yes, I will be the person to call uh if anything happens, then I'm about 15 minutes away from the house facility.

Any other questions?

Okay, thank you so much.

Is there anyone in the audience that like to speak for or against this petition?

Okay, at this time we'll close public comment and we'll start with uh Ms.

Holt board comment.

I have no issues with this, especially with staff recommendations of four adults and two vehicles.

I see no issue with four and two as well.

I agree, my fellow board members.

I have no issues, I'm in favor.

Okay, at this time we'll close board comment reading the petition, ZBA-62-25, Nina McMullen petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 2111 Herman Avenue, zone SFR-5, Council District 1, uh four adults, two vehicles, 30 nights, one year probation.

Voting with Ms.

Holt, yes.

Yes, yes, yes, petition approved.

Next case is ZBA 6325, Bama B and Bim Roberts petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of the property at 538 Hardgrove Road.

This property is on SFR1, Council District 2.

Here we have the zoning of the property as well as that aerial view.

There are several short-term rentals in the surrounding area.

Here we have a view of the house and then the parking driveway area.

So Bama Vacation Rentals will be the primary contact.

They have over 15 years experience as a property management company.

This house is equipped with cameras, keypad locks, and a noise detection system.

It is not on or occupied, and it'll be used for extended stays or be vacant when it's not being rented short term.

House has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The petitioner requests six adults and three vehicles.

If approved based on the driveway, staff would recommend four adults and two vehicles.

We received one comment in support and one comment in opposition for this request.

Do you have any questions for staff?

No questions.

Hello, uh, Kim Roberts, 46 Sherwood Drive, 35401.

Uh, one thing I noticed that the picture that you showed of the house.

Can you go back to the driveway?

Uh, because the owner, right after they closed on the property, actually uh widened that driveway, and there's um plenty of room to park for vehicles uh in that driveway.

Uh it was a narrow driveway before, but all that grass area now is um gravel, and so you can actually park cars side by side and easily.

So that's uh why we were requesting uh the six adults and three vehicles on there.

Uh the house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, so it can easily accommodate that number.

Do we have do we need pictures or staff does not have pictures of that?

I didn't realize because it was done several weeks ago.

I would have um sent submitted pictures.

These pictures were taken probably two weeks ago.

Um so if they if they want to come back next month, that's completely up to the applicant.

But I'm it is completed, it's all graveled on that left side now.

So what we can do, we can take if we approve it, we can take staff recommendations, and then if he provides picture, if you provide pictures, then we can come back next month and increase okay.

If it's approved.

Any other questions?

No.

All right, thank you.

Um, we don't have anybody signed up to speak for or against.

Is there anybody in the audience that like to speak for or against okay?

At this time, we'll close public comment.

We'll vote a board comment, Ms.

Holt.

Um, I have no issues with the staff recommendations of four and two, and it looks like there's a lot of other short-term rentals in the area, so I'm fine with this.

Yeah, there's other short-term rentals right there next door, and I have no issue with staff recommendation four and two.

I agree.

Um, Ms.

Roberts experienced, so I have no problem with this.

I have no issues, I'm in favor of staff recommendations.

Okay, at this time we'll close board comment.

I'll read the petition.

ZBA-63-25, Bama BMB, Kim Roberts petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 538 Hargrove Road, zone SFR-1, Council District 2.

Voting with Ms.

Holt.

Yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

Petition is approved.

Next case is ZBA 6425.

James and Laura Sminge petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property at 431 MLK Boulevard, zone MR1, Council District 1.

Here we have the zoning of that property as well as an aerial view.

Here we have a view of the surrounding short-term rentals.

You've seen this town home before.

I think three of the four.

This might be the last one.

And then here we have the rear parking area.

So James Smith will be the primary contact and be available 24 hours a day.

Jennifer Fouquet will be the local contact will also be available in case of any emergencies.

The petitioner does not have experience managing short-term rentals.

The house will be equipped with cameras and keypad locks.

It is not on or occupied, and it'll be used by the family when it's not being rented short term.

The house has three beds and three baths.

The petitioner requests six adults and two vehicles.

If approved, staff recommends four adults and two vehicles.

We did not receive any comments on this application, and we do have the representative here in person.

So the other ones we've done at four and two.

Okay.

So um James Sminge.

Smege.

Um I'm Jennifer Fuquay.

I'm here to represent James and Laura.

I'm at 11913 Kings Leap Road, Tuscaloosa.

Okay.

And so just gonna do short-term rental.

Do you have does he have like the um rules and regulations and so forth?

They do have all of the rules and regulations, yes.

Okay.

Any other questions for the point of contact was if there's an issue.

They will be the point of contact, but I will be the local point of contact.

Okay.

All right.

I assist with the other properties there as well.

Okay, in case in case needed.

So good to know.

Thank you, sir.

Okay.

All right.

Do we have anybody in the audience like to speak for or against this?

Okay, at this time we'll close public comment, go to board comment with Ms.

Holt.

I have no issues.

This is what we've done in the other um units.

Yeah, I have no issues either with four and two.

I agree with my fellow board members.

We've seen this property before.

I have no issues.

I'm in favor.

Okay.

So we'll close board comment.

I'll read the petition.

ZBA-64-25.

James and Laura Sminge petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 431 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, zone MR-1, Council District 1.

Four adults, two vehicles, 30 nights, one year probation.

Voting with Ms.

Holt.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Petition is approved.

I'm good.

Next case is ZBA 65-25, Carrie Kinward petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property at 908 16th Avenue.

It's on MRU Council District 4.

Here we have the zoning of the property as well as aerial view and all of our short-term rentals in the downtown campus area.

Here we have a view of the house and then that parking pad parking area.

So Tanner Ashcraft will be the primary contact and be available in case of any emergencies.

The representative does have experience managing short-term rentals.

The house is equipped with cameras and keypad locks.

It is not owner occupied, and it'll be vacant when it's not being rented short term.

The house has three beds and three baths.

They request four adults and two vehicles.

If approved, staff agrees that it should be four adults and two vehicles.

We do have the representative here in person, and no comments were submitted.

You have any questions for staff?

No, sir.

Thank you.

Tanner or Harry who's coming up.

Tanner Ashcraft, uh 1120 Queen City Avenue.

You have any questions for me?

You can at least, you know, do a little dance for us, Tanner.

No.

Yeah, so this it's a three-bedroom, three-bath house.

Obviously, you saw the location, a lot of short-term rentals around it.

Um Alabama family, they don't live in Tuscaloosa, they live in the state, bought it, their kids go to school here.

So kind of the same story.

We hear a lot.

Though we come into a lot of the games when they're not here, they'd like for me to manage it for them.

It's got the what's just typical in the historic district, just the single-lane driveway, which is the reason for two cars for adults.

Well, we appreciate you managing all those houses out there, Tanner's not quite.

Okay, any more questions for Tana?

Thank you.

Thank you all.

All right.

Is anybody in the audience like to speak for or against this petition?

Okay, at this time we'll close public comment.

We'll go to board comment with Ms.

Holt.

Uh no issues.

Obviously, short there's a lot of short-term rentals in the area, so I'm good with staff recommendations.

I agree as well.

I'm good with staff recommendations of four and two.

I'm good as well because Tanner's on the job, so I know it's going to be handled right.

So I agree.

I have no issues, I'm in favor.

Okay.

At this time, we'll close board comment.

I'll read the petition.

DBA-65-25, Carrie Kinwart.

Uh petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 908 16th Avenue Zone MRU, Council District 4.

For adults, two vehicles, 30 nights, one year probation.

Voting with Ms.

Holt.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Petition is approved.

Next case is ZBA 6625.

Garrett Bullock petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property.

This is at four of the nulls on SFR4 Council District 5.

Here we have the zoning of the property as well as that aerial view.

And then a view of all the short-term rentals in the general area.

Here we have a view of the house with that driveway.

So Garrett Bullet would be the primary contact.

The petitioner does have experience managing two short-term rentals.

The house is equipped with a doorbell camera, keypad locks, and a noise detection system.

It is not owner-occupied, and it'll be rented long term when it's not being rented short-term.

So the house has two bedrooms and one bathroom.

The request is for four adults and two vehicles.

If approved, staff recommends four adults and two vehicles.

We did receive two comments in opposition along with a petition with seven uh signatures in opposition to this request.

Do you have any questions for staff?

Can you go back to the area?

Were there any other short-term rentals?

And there's a couple of them.

None in the direct the knolls neighborhood.

Right.

Okay.

Thank you.

All right, thanks.

Okay, here it will.

Hey, how are y'all doing?

Garrett Bullock, 13869 Glen Park Avenue.

Um questions.

I have they're wanting long-term renters, but the way it is usually I do short-term and long-term, depending, because you know, if it's 180 days, it's considered long-term.

And I do a lot of transient people, travel nurses, a lot of us are off with a three-month contract, and sometimes they extend to a six-month, and then it's a long term.

But it all just depends.

I have another gentleman at my other house, is burnt down, and he's staying until February next year.

Um, I I keep a lot of transit people coming through, other than travel nurses.

I have uh some individuals like 2008 14th Street that are working at Hunt Oil refinery right now.

But I'm just trying to make sure I can keep people places to stay, and also we like to keep our family because I'm from Montgomery, so our family when they come in, we can't house them all at our place.

So when if I have an empty location, I'll let them stay at that house.

So you've had long-term rental at this location?

At which one?

I just bought the this uh this property on the case.

So it's another property you asked.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

So Jonathan, can you say your mic?

I'm coughing, that's why I turn it on and off.

Okay, I don't want to be coughing in it.

That's why I keep doing that.

Okay.

Um, my question, Jonathan.

So I thought anything over 30 days was going to be considered uh the long-term, like long term, right?

That's right.

So and it may have changed, uh, but our revenue office, they process either a long-term rental license or tax, and then a short-term rental, so anything over 30 consecutive nights would be considered a long-term rental.

It doesn't go against your 30 days or 45 days.

You know, 15%, I'm only paying 5% if they're 180.

That's sorry.

I understand you know, clarifying because I was making sure that's the first one.

No, that's a good question, though.

Okay.

Um, so okay, so you got experience and you want and I've had zero complaints.

I got you.

Any other questions for Vary?

Okay, thank you.

All right.

All right, we have several people signed up to speak in opposition.

Uh Nancy Cobb.

Thank you.

My name is Nancy Cobb.

I live at 3600 8th Street East.

And even though that isn't the knoll, the knoll comes in like this, takes a right turn, and I actually live on in a historic old log haven that belonged to Hank Christ.

And next door is a house that belonged to Happy Campbell.

I've been there 36 years, and we have fought to get to get this neighborhood the way it is now.

Uh we have wonderful neighbors.

Uh, I can walk around my street, have no problem whatsoever.

Uh, it's a neighborhood that we know each other, and you know, we know what cars they drive, and we don't need an Airbnb there.

And um I understand that it's very profitable, which I'm sure would be nice, but uh we we have uh, like I said, it's a log house built in the 1850s and 1880s.

We do not need any interruption there.

We have uh woods, a wooded area behind, as you can see on the on the map.

We have a large wooded area, we grow native plants, we have uh deer, uh raccoons, fox, all kinds of native of uh animals there that we don't want people driving around a lot.

When you come into the knoll, you can't make a left turn going out.

You have to, if you go all the way around, you have to turn back to the right.

So there's a lot of traffic there.

Our streets, believe it or not, are only 10 and 11 feet wide.

Okay.

I mean, that doesn't sound possible, and just to lose, but it is Kip knows this, and he's really fought with us.

But uh it is appears from some research, and I think we had numerous uh no people, and then one person did research and said that most of the time or many many times when Airbnbs come in, the property values go down.

Now, as you can see, we are not a wealthy neighborhood.

You know, if if you know I've often wondered these people that are doing Airbnbs, would they want one next door to them?

We do not really want this, and uh we would appreciate so much if you could help us.

Uh I want my garden club to keep coming.

We have numerous garden clubs a year that come in and walk through our properties there.

They park at my neighbor's house and on our house, never in the street, but we are so afraid that in the in the past we had the moon wink there.

We fought that battle.

We had prostitution, we had drugs.

It was really bad.

Then we had a drug dealer, my daughter bought that his house and has had completely remodeled it, which her house is next door to the this property.

She has remodeled that house.

We had another drug dealer down at the end of the street across from my neighbor right here.

We finally, he was finally arrested, he's gone now.

For the first time in a long time, our neighborhood, we have a community.

We have a community, and we want to keep it a community, and we umbly ask you to please do not let an Airbnb come in.

Oh, the second thought.

My other neighbor Liz lives here.

This neighbor is over here.

My other neighbor on this side has already said they're going to petition for an Airbnb also.

So that would mean that she has an Airbnb in the knoll.

Uh, what there's what 15, 17 houses there.

You would have an Airbnb on either side of my daughter's property.

She had an emergency in Atlanta and could not get back to speak.

But she did write a letter, as did numerous other people asking that you please consider denying this application.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Okay, we have Cassandra Dorsey.

Good afternoon.

I'm Cassandra Dorsey.

I live at 15 the Know.

First of all, like Ms.

Cobb said, we've had many problems.

I mean bad problems.

With property number three where her daughter bought, it was like Trista Meth and Heron House.

And one day the police got at the sum of the people there.

The guy ran right over in my yard, up on my deck, and he was trying to ram me, so I had to fight somebody.

Then I had the uh squatters across the street that was coming over with their dogs, fighting their dogs, putting putting poison over it, soap for real, soap in my fish pond.

And short-term bringing people in and out, in and out.

It's just too much traffic.

And our roads are very, very narrow.

We're used to each other, so when we see each other, we we know how to, you know, get out the way so the other one can come.

People who don't know the neighborhood and don't know anyone in there, when they come, they just sit in the middle of the street and blow the horn and look at you.

We we don't have room for a bunch of traffic.

And with an Airbnb, I feel like it's just gonna bring a bunch of people in and out we don't know anything about and more traffic.

If he happened to rent, and I have nothing against the Universe of Alabama.

If he happened to rent for an Airbnb and we get people there, they're going to party.

Our neighborhood is very quiet.

You don't hear noise until it's the 4th of July, and that's firecrackers.

And like she said, we have deers and raccoons.

I feed the deer.

I like sitting on my deck looking at them.

But with a lot of excessive traffic, we won't have anything.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Richard Cobb.

We live, Nancy is my wife.

We live on that era photograph in the edge of the woods on the north side.

There's actually two developments there.

The north side of 8th Street is an old pre-World War II development known as Happy Hours Estate.

And then the rest of it is the knoll development is post-war.

And we have been there 36 years, and we have fought a lot of ballots against people in the neighborhood, people coming into the neighborhood for causing trouble and bringing us grief.

Now that's the story of our neighborhood.

Problems, recovery, problems, and recovery.

Now we're in great shape for the first time in many years.

The neighborhood was primarily older people.

And we rarely saw them.

There were very few people that ever came outside.

But there never was a problem.

Then late in the 90s, while those folks died, the community became rental properties.

And we got all kinds of bad ombres, as they say today today.

We had a gang in Alberta City known as ABC.

I don't know if anybody knows that.

Alberta City gang.

They were independent and they were very bad.

And there were days that we would hear gunfire in three directions from our house.

Not in the knoll, but around and about.

And it was very common for people in the neighborhood to start carrying weapons because we never knew what we'd find when we came home.

We came home from church one night and found somebody breaking into our basement.

And fortunately he left before I could shoot him.

And uh, so anyway, it's been one fight after another.

Then we had uh the tornado.

The tornado in 2011 actually was good for us because many of the people that were the bad guys moved.

They moved across uh Scottland Boulevard into some of the neighborhoods there.

And uh one of my friends was a policeman there in Alberta, and they moved him to that area because he knew everybody.

And uh, so the ones that were left in the knoll were good people pretty much.

Then we're big focus became the moon wing.

The moon wink had turned from a very nice little motel into a place where prostitutes worked, where there was human trafficking, and where there were drugs of every description.

We actually had a girl named Kaylee.

We never got to meet her, but we found her belongings on our creek and escaped the moon wink as human trafficking, and lived on our creek for several days, and hopefully she finally got back to her parents who left some of her belongings there.

That's how we found out.

Then in 2021, Nancy's daughter bought four uh three the knoll and began to redo it from the studs up.

It was completely destroyed by squatters who had lived in it for about two years.

And uh there was a route from the moon wink to our west through that neighborhood and over to Crescent Ridge Road where drug mules carry drugs from and to the moon wink.

Now, drug mules are young people backpacks that do basically drug moving to raise money for themselves when they're in bad times.

Some of them were college students, and uh when the moon wink closed, the our community changed overnight.

The drug traffickers stopped coming through the neighborhood.

Um we started getting kids back on the street.

The parents kept kids inside until then, and uh we've had a lady petition about two years ago for putting multa houses in a seagull uh lie at the end of uh H Street East, and our community came together and opposed that, and it was voted down.

And that was when our community really started coming together.

We started having uh more conversations with each other, we started seeing each other more, and uh what we really want to prevent is several things.

One disrupting our community, maintaining our integrity as a community, two cutting the traffic.

Like Cassandra said, the road in front of her house is eleven feet wide, it's supposed to be 12 feet, but it's actually 11 feet because of erosion of the asphalt.

The road in front of for the knoll where this will be is wider, but it's still not very wide.

I think it's about 20 feet, and we just don't want to have extra traffic coming and going because as Cassandra said, when you and our Nancy said when you leave the knoll going out 37th, and you want to turn you have to turn right.

Mr.

Cobb, I hate to cut you off, but your time is expired.

Okay.

So we're primarily opposed because of traffic and disrupting the neighborhood.

Thank you so much.

Is there anybody else that'd like to speak in opposition or for this petition?

Okay, at this time we'll close public comment and we'll go with does he get a chance to respond in?

Yes, Mr.

Garrett, you can respond.

Yes, you can.

Um concerning property values, and I understand about the drug issues that they said they've really helped clean up.

Um I said a price point, and I'm very selective on the age limits and also the no parking on the streets.

There's two cars per the driveway because I do understand you don't in case of emergency vehicles need to come through, and it's a very narrow area, and also to respect the other individuals that live in the neighborhood.

Um but I've I could only see how this only increased the value because I paid 40,000 more than the average house in that neighborhood.

Um I haven't seen where Airbnbs actually lowered values before.

Um, I I do understand how it will change a little bit of things.

You might not always have the same neighbor, but I do abide by the rules, and I will make sure that it's taken care of.

But I am also glad they are concerned, so they'll actually help keep eye out on the uh place as well because, like they said, there was a lot of riff ref, and I don't want that to happen as well.

And that's that's that okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, this time we'll close public comment and we'll go to Borick Comet with Ms.

Holt.

Um, I have a question.

The several of the people that spoke uh lived around 8th Street.

Have there been any issues with the short-term rentals that are around the 8th Street area?

We did check on that from a 500-foot buffer, and we did not have any.

Not from the short now, can't speak to any outside issues, but we specifically look at the short-term rental violations, and we did not find any.

No short-term rental violations.

Okay.

Um gosh, it's always tough as a board member when you've got somebody who wants to do a short-term rental, and they want to do it the right way, and they've got you know the noise detectors, and they've they've got all of that.

Um, I'm sympathetic with the people that live in the neighborhood just because change is always concerning.

I I get concerned about change also, but um ultimately our historic data has not shown that like short-term rentals create any issues and in homes or in neighborhoods, and so um you know, for that reason, I'm okay with the four and two staff recommendations on this property.

Um I'm a little bit more on the fence on this one.

Um, you know, it's a tight street.

Um over half the neighborhood has either spoken or got signatures in opposition, so I'm a little more offense on whether or not approved this one.

I am on the fence as well because you know, by right, the person who owns the home does have a right to be able to do short-term rental because of our city council.

But then we also have to look at the culture of the neighborhood, the the character of the neighborhood, and I don't know if it fits within this neighborhood, seeing as how it's run and operated, the small streets, and um I'm having issues with that because you do have opportunity to do some different kind of renting where you have uh the traveling nurses a little bit longer, and I don't know about the every weekend.

So it's very interesting.

This one right here.

And the size of the streets, those are issues.

However, short-term rental clears that up because you have to park the driveway.

There's no parking allowed on the street.

Um the petitioner has already stated that he does offer long-term rentals.

And just because it says long-term rental, that doesn't mean it's just a 12-month rental.

So every 30 days, he can put someone new in that house, and that's considered long-term rental.

And with long-term rental, you can park on the street.

We can't cap the number of individuals that can be in the house.

So in certain certain situations, your short-term rental is more helpful to the neighborhood because certain things you don't have to deal with, and you can complain or about a complaint to 311 and it's on it for one year.

So if it's approved for that one year, he has to come back for renewal.

If there are any kind of violations or complaints, then when he comes back to renewal, then he'll be denied.

So that's sort of our safety net for these situations.

If he gets approved, report it if there are any violations and go from there.

And then after that, he would not be renewed.

So he'll be stuck with situations where he's doing either long-term rentals or he's gonna have to sell the property because he won't have any revenue coming in.

So with that, I'm in favor.

At this time, we'll close uh board member comments.

I'll read the petition and we'll vote.

ZBA-66-25.

Garrett Bullock petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at four the null zone SFR-4, Council District 5.

Voting with Ms.

Holt.

Yes, no, yes, yes.

Didn't pass next case is ZBA 6725.

Ian Thomas petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property at 2320.

I'm sorry, we want to take a break.

We take a break.

Um five minute break.

Well, six minutes.

Yeah, we'll come back at 50.

Okay.

Six fifty.

Okay.

Here we have the zoning of the property as well as that aerial view, short-term rentals in the general area to the north and one to the south.

Here we have a view of the house with the parking area.

So Ian Thomas will be the primary contact.

The petitioner does not have experience managing short-term rentals.

The house is equipped with cameras and keypad locks.

It is not owner occupied, and the house will be used by the family when it's not being rented short term.

Oh look Tim has a question.

Yes, it has.

So in GPD Council District 5.

Here we have the zoning of the property as well as an aerial view.

Short-term rentals in the area, one just in the neighborhood.

Here's a view of that property with the uh parking.

Tracy Eatman will be the primary contact and will be available 24 hours a day in case of an emergency.

Petitioner does not have experience managing short-term rentals.

The house will be equipped with door cameras and keypad locks.

It's not owner occupied.

It will be occupied by Trace Tracy Eatman when it is not being rented short-term.

House has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Petitioners requesting six adults and four vehicles.

If approved, staff recommends six and three.

I believe the uh representative is here in person.

Go back.

So it's not owner occupied, but Tracy Eatman.

That's right.

The um so Cavan Parish.

The owner is Kevin Parrish.

So Mr.

Eatman will be occupying the house when it's not being rented short term.

So is Tracy Eatman renting the property from Calvin?

I'll let the I'll let Mr.

Eatman confirm that.

Okay.

So when we need to hear from We have a designation of agent for Mr.

Eatman.

Okay.

All right.

How do we uh decide on the three vehicles that Louis Doctor Two car garage?

Is it because of the bedrooms?

Engineering felt comfortable now as to why they chose three versus four.

I couldn't tell you that, but they felt comfortable with three being in the driveway.

Two in tandem and one on the site.

That's right.

Okay.

All right, Mr.

Eatman.

Hello.

Um Tracy Eatman.

Uh you stand mostly at the residence that we're speaking of at 3721 Crescent Gardens Drive.

Um, I heard you guys mention uh am I renting from Kevin?

Uh it's Kevin, but uh he's my cousin, and uh we are both uh doing this Airbnb together, but I'm occupying a residence when it's not rented, and I'll be also managing it.

Um we understand all the rules and regulations for renting.

Where will you go when it's being rented out?

Um I have uh my my mother lives on um uh she lives at in Mileville, and my father lives right off Skyland Boulevard, so I have a couple different residences where I reside when it's it's occupied.

Okay.

Any more questions for Mr.

Eatman?

And I also see that there were a couple other um people in the neighborhood that's already been approved to do short-term rentals.

So I don't know if that matters at all.

Anything else?

Um that's all okay, thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Um we don't have we have Erica Mason signed up to speak against the petition.

Okay.

Anyone else in the audience like to speak for or against this petition?

Okay, at this time we'll close public comment.

We'll go to board comment with Ms.

Holt.

Um, I'm I'm good with this with the staff recommendations of six and three, and it looks like there's other short-term rentals in the area.

Yeah, I'm I'm in favor of staff's recommendations well.

Section three, and there's one right next door, right in the same neighborhood.

I agree as well.

I don't see any issue with this.

The six and three.

Um, I trust engineering, they say three can get in the driveway, so I'll go with it.

And just just to clarify that, I I could have looked at the number of bedrooms, but that that's why it was limited.

I'm assuming if it were four bedrooms, theoretically, you could get two and two, but uh, because of the three bedrooms is why it's limited to six and three.

Got it.

I have no issues.

I'm in favor of staff recommendations.

Okay, at this time we'll close board comment and I'll read the petition.

ZBA-68-25 Cabin.

The name Cabin Parish petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 3721 Crescent Garden Drive Zone ZPD, Council District 5.

Four, no, six adults, three vehicles, 30 dice, one year probation.

Voting with Ms.

Holt, yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

Petition is approved.

Lauren Lee petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental on a property located at 802 Richmond Place.

Zoned SFR4, Council District 3.

Here we have the zoning of that property.

As well as an aerial view.

Short-term rentals in the area.

Here's the front of that property show in the driveway.

Part of this request, Lauren Lee will be the primary contact.

Petitioner does not have experience managing short-term rentals.

The house is equipped with door cameras and keypad locks.

It is owner-occupied and it will be occupied by the petitioner when it is not being rented short-term.

The house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Petitioners requesting two to four adults and one to two vehicles.

If approved, staff recommends four and two.

Any questions?

Okay.

Thank you.

Um Lauren.

Good evening, Madam Chairman and Board Members.

My name is Lauren Lee at 802 Richmond Place, Tusclose, Alabama 35406.

My plan is to give each of you a clear explanation for my short-term rental requests due to the level of opposition received.

I will discuss my ability to manage this property as well as my proactive measures and plan to address my neighbors' concerns.

I will provide factual evidence on my ability and dedication to not only my home, my neighborhood, as well as the city of Tuscaloosa.

I'm invested on an extensive level to maintaining the integrity for not only my neighbors, but for what my home means to me.

You see, I grew up here in Tuscaloosa area, graduated from the University of Alabama, moved to South Carolina to complete my first master's in healthcare administration, returned to Tuscaloosa to work and obtain a license to be a nursing home administrator for six plus years.

The Lord has blessed me with this home, and I have maintained it well since becoming the primary homeowner in 2023, essentially sharing a mutual desire to uphold the standards of the neighborhood.

To explain my reasoning for this request, I will start by being honest in saying I have no prior experience managing a property, but I do have experience managing many people.

And I am currently over halfway through with my second master's degree with a goal to work with individuals who struggle with substance abuse, addiction, mental health concerns, and veterans.

The Lord called me to pivot in careers, which has changed my income drastically.

To maintain an attitude of excellence and high performance in my current online program, I left the nursing home world and my passion for the elderly population to step out in faith.

While completing my second master's, I am currently working at a local school and in the special education department, which is a blessing.

But as you can imagine, the income is significantly lower than a nursing home administrator.

There are requirements for my internship hours, so I'll be working three jobs, two of which are unpaid, and part-time internships for my master's program.

This experience will equip me to be a counselor and a vessel for individuals struggling with mental health.

As a reminder, my program is online and my internships are local, which means I will be local to address concerns.

My request to operate a short-term rental is to serve as a temporary supplement to my income.

It was never done to upset the neighborhood or cause chaos.

I apologize for any distress I have caused any fellow neighbors.

I am simply acting in obedience with this transition and careers while I continue to maintain a property that I have worked hard to preserve.

In addition, there has been no disturbances to any of my neighbors in the two years I've resided in this location.

To provide some specifics to proactively address concerns voiced and anticipated by the neighbors.

First, I would like to point out that of the 39 homes in Ashland Place, there are 23 long-term renters.

Based on research, there are similar concerns in long-term renters as short-term renters, which has been mentioned in previous planning and zoning meetings.

Research shows some of the most common concerns that neighbors may have renters with noise disturbances, property maintenance, and tenant behavior.

For clarification purposes, the petition signed against this request includes signatures of individuals who are long-term renters rather than rather than just strictly the homeowners.

I value their concerns as well.

But just something to take note of.

During my preparation, I also spoke to several short-term property managers with positive experience and no reported issues with their neighborhoods with the short-term rentals.

As an important reminder, there are three short-term rentals within a mile from my residence and the surrounding neighborhoods.

To address traffic concerns, there are two vehicles requested, which coincides with the number of spaces I will enforce if approved.

It is also the number of rooms I have, which would mean that at times I have two vehicles in those spots when I am living in the home.

So the traffic should not be an issue.

The next issue voiced is potential for law loud occupants causing a disturbance in the neighborhood.

This is a valid concern and one that through cameras for external view to maintain the privacy of the renters and a noise monitoring system will collectively ensure compliance and respect for my neighbors.

I will be actively monitoring and available to my to any neighbors who voice concerns.

I will utilize a detailed betting process, a good neighbor policy, and a short-term renter agreement with specific rules and regulations.

As a reminder, I treat my home with quality care to maintain the aesthetics and reputation of the neighborhood, and I expect my potential tenants to do so as well.

In addition, I have reviewed this the city's rental regulations and ordinances, and I'm fully committed to complying with every requirement.

I'm also open to any conditions that the board may wish to place on my approval, such as occupancy limits or parking requirements.

I want to make sure this process aligns with the city standard.

To plan for unlikely but possible emergencies that may arise, I have created contingency plan for monitoring and enforcing the rules and expectations.

Several individuals that are here to speak on my behalf will oversee the property in case of family, school, or renter emergency.

The three selected reputable individuals include a teacher, a nurse, and an individual that retired from the university who has short-term property managing experience and will be available in case of emergency.

Not to mention with a very large local family that will assist with property maintenance maintenance or address a concern if needed with share moral standards.

Realistically, there are extenuating circumstances and additional commitments that could arise in the future.

While I don't plan on that taking place, we are imperfect people in a fallen world despite proactive managing and planning systems.

These individuals will assist to immediately address a concern if one should require a physical presence.

I have known them for 10 plus years, all reside locally, and will maintain standards of excellence for the Lord, their community, and the people that reside in my neighborhood.

In conclusion, I have I value and respect my neighbors as well as committed to following the city of Tuscaloosa zoning regulations.

I will continue to abide by the HOA standards, which have no covenants restricting short-term rentals, as I continue to demonstrate my work ethic and value the peace of my neighbors.

I pray that throughout my presentation and with my references, that you will see my desire to exceed overall expectations while preserving the integrity of Ashen Place.

I have mutually vested interest in the neighborhood as it is my primary residence.

The legacy of my grandparents and biblical truth is to love and value your neighbors and continue managing the home the Lord blessed me with.

I would like to thank each of the board members for listening to my detailed and extensive explanation for their request, and in summary, my goal is to provide safe, quiet, and respectful lodging for visitors while protecting the character of my neighborhood and supporting the community.

I take this responsibility very seriously, both as a property owner and as a member of this city.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yeah.

Good job.

Um questions.

It was very thorough.

Very thorough.

We appreciate that.

Um, we have one person signed to speak in the opposition, Joe Hargrove.

Thank you for giving me the time to speak.

And I also appreciate you responding to my uh I I turned in the petition and a letter on Friday.

You acknowledge that today.

My name is Joe Hargrove.

My address is 7626 Old Greensboro Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

I do not live in the community, uh, but I have a vested interest in the community.

My parents purchased a home uh there in 1996.

They occupied it until I had to move them to assisted living.

At that time, we rented the house out to a realtor here in town.

She's been in the house for eight years.

The reason I bought the house from the estate is because I wanted a place to move when I get older than I am now, or at least when my children feel like I need to move, which they're on that on that part now.

I have a large place to maintain, so I wanted a nice community to go to.

So that's why I now own the house.

I have lived in the community.

I bought the house and I bought a house in the community in 2003, lived in it a couple of years while I was remodeling the house I'm living in now.

So I I enjoy the community.

The reason I moved to that community is because it's close to public schools.

My daughter finished school here when I moved back, so that's why I have a vested interest.

Myself, Cherry, our homeowner, our president of homeowners association, and Margaret here, went around and talked to all residences in in the community.

There's 39 houses.

We talked to 30, including Lauren.

We asked her her why she was doing what she was doing.

We understand that.

There's 39 houses in that community.

There's only one entrance and one exit, and they're coming off of the main row that is installed on uh a lot of uh multifamily houses.

In her particular house, the house next door to her is is owned by Eddie Yesick.

He has a tenant in there that requires 24 hours a day care.

If there's cars as you see in front of the second house there parked out in the street, and there's one on the other side of the street, it's gonna be very difficult for an emergency vehicle to get to the house that has a somebody under hospice care.

So I'm concerned about that individual.

Number two, the house directly across from her house is owned by Hunter Plott.

He has a tenant in there that is under hospice with dementia with 24 hour daycare, and if they have to access her house to get her to the hospital, it's gonna be very difficult because if you see you gotta come down that street and turn around that coal to sack, and it's very sharp radius.

That that they were designed in 88, and it wasn't designed for a lot of cars in the street.

Her particular house has no garage, it only has a driveway out front, so I'm concerned about cars being in front of those houses, which if you go there at any given time, just like you see here, there's one.

Uh there's always three or four cars out in that street.

So number one is the safety, and number one is the emergency access to her two neighbors who are elderly individuals with health care.

You're in the health care business, so you should understand that.

The uh Lauren, I have no problem with Lauren trying to make extra income.

She's a student working on her master's.

I don't think she's a long-term tenant.

She has no experience with short-term rentals.

She's not in she's not a she's not an investor.

She's looking for a way to offset some income to favor education.

Have no problem with that whatsoever.

The petition was signed by 90 percent of the residents.

There's 39.

We talked to 37 of those residences.

I've talked to one since I turned in the petition.

They are also against it.

The only two that we could not get to sign, I could not locate.

Uh, they and and none of them live on the street she's on.

So a hundred percent of the tenants on that Richmond Drive is against short-term rental.

Everyone on the adjoining street behind it.

If you if you could zoom out some, you can see there's other houses.

The only two that would not sign the petition, they wasn't for or against it, they just didn't feel it was right to sign the petition against one of the community members.

So we asked as a community and the association that you deny the request for short-term rental to keep this community a community of elderly and young professionals with very little traffic and provide a safe environment for the tenants.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, uh Lauren, would you like to respond to his um is somebody else?

I'm sorry.

Um, there are others that like to speak in opposition.

Good evening.

My name is Cherry Williamson.

I live in 801 Richmond Place, which is actually right across the street from the house in question.

I am also the president of our HOA, which is super fun.

So my biggest uh concern with this whole thing.

I live by myself, I'm a single woman.

I have enjoyed that independence since I moved out of my parents' house, and now I have the possibility of not knowing anyone who's going to be across the road from me, and that's going to be a revolving door every game day weekend.

As a single woman who lives by myself, that is extremely concerning for me.

I really I ask you guys to respect that and to block this from becoming an entrance or allowing this into our neighborhood.

Um I have I did listen to Lauren's rather extensive vetting process, and that's fantastic.

However, there is no there is there's no uh confirmation or way that we know any future people, any future residents who choose to do this with their house are going to be as extensive as she is going to be, nor is there any way of ensuring that someone who clears that vetting process is going to be as good of a tenant as they appear to be.

Um a big difference that I see as far as between long-term rental and short-term rental, is long-term rentals do have a more vested interest in the property that they are staying in because they have to stay there every single day until the end until the end of their lease.

Um, I I'm sorry that Lauren can't see the the difference between those as far as the vestment that the in that the tenant has and the location that they're staying at.

But I can tell you right now I take I took a lot better care when I was a renter, I took better care of my homes when I was renting versus when I when I'm at a hotel room as a resident of a BMB, I have C and BMBs.

I don't take as good a care of things when I'm there as when I'm in my own home.

So that reality is a thing.

So thank you guys so much.

Um thank you for your time.

Thank you.

All right.

Someone else like to speak.

My name is Margaret Powell, POW.

I live at 817 Ashland Drive.

Um, if you will look at this map on the other end on Ashland Drive, the other entrance, it has uh two circles.

I live on um the circle where this road coming in leads straight to it.

I have curb space on one side that's this big.

I so it's this big.

I have curb space on the other side that's this big.

We have a parking problem.

Um, the roads are narrow, and I am concerned with safety.

I had a guest when I had my knee replaced, come bring me flowers and parked uh sort of halfway in my drive.

Uh a kid going to football practice in a hurry, backed right into Kit's car and ruined it.

She he couldn't see around there and he wasn't looking.

So you have to be very careful when you back out.

There's just not room for me, if there's a car, and this happens frequently to go around it.

Um we have uh the narrow streets, and if a car is parked on either side and parked, yeah, it's kind of difficult to get through with the um circles and the islands there.

Um we had um we have a little girl who's 16 and she's a national horse show winner.

Her father came to pick her up one day with a horse van.

The whole neighborhood turned out to see him because he went tried to go around the the circle to get out.

And it was kind of amusing to watch him try to back up and go forward and back up.

But there was one car parked there, and he was trying to get around it.

And we frequently had this.

An emergency vehicle would have trouble if there were people just parking there.

And we try to remind them.

But with people coming in and out, if that's the two people that the two cars, that's two cars.

But we also factor in.

I'm blocked in constantly by Amazon, UPS, food delivery.

This is a problem because of the width of our streets.

We also with the traffic have to watch out.

We have children here.

We have small children.

We love all our kids that are we have small children, we have twins that are on bikes running, you know, all up and down the street.

We try to watch out for them.

But this is a factor I want to consider.

Um I don't know if I made you a pie when you moved in.

I usually make a pie for everybody moves in.

We welcome people, we love it.

But we don't need this.

We don't need the extra traffic.

It is a safety thing, I think.

And also it always concerns me a bit too because if my good friend Jay next door has a party and I sit on my back porch, I could have a conversation with them too.

It's small, and we are considerate of each other.

And guests are not going to realize and understand this, I'm afraid.

Thank you for listening.

Thank you.

Okay, we have space for one more person in opposition.

Good evening.

I'm Dr.

Nancy Campbell.

I live at 845 Ashland Drive in the Ashland neighborhood.

And I am you know sympathetic to uh the young woman who's bringing the petition.

But uh from the neighborhood's point of view, I do want to speak against it and and to make three main points.

Um most of them will echo things you've already heard tonight.

But one of my um one of the points I'd like to make is when this uh I've only lived there two years, and I chose to move there because of the neighborhood.

Um I mean, I like my house and all that, but if I had already sold the big house, I was renting for a year to look around, figure out where I wanted to spend my old age, and doing volunteer work for one of the the residents in Ashland.

Um I work for home and work uh volunteer work with home in place.

We support seniors who are uh trying to maintain their independence and stay in their homes when they can, and this woman was no longer able to walk her dog, and so several of us from our organization took turns walking her dog during the week.

So I uh had the opportunity to walk all over the neighborhood with this dog to talk with people, meet people, and the woman for whom I was doing the work introduced me to many of her neighbors.

Some of them were renters, um, some of them had been there for a long time.

And over the course of about a year walking her dog, I came to realize that this was a very special neighborhood.

It um it really exemplifies in my mind what a neighborhood is, you know, where people know each other, speak to each other, the people who've lived there longer term.

My neighbor on the left-hand side, I think she's been living there, or her family before her since the neighborhood was established.

The people I bought my house from, believe it or not, I have become friends with.

That's the kind of relationships that are there.

They were so they had lived there as the second generation in their family.

The gentleman had inherited from his mother, and they stayed until they needed to move into Keppelstone uh village because of their health issues.

So this is a place many, many people come to to stay.

People who are invested in not only their own home but each other.

Um, I've been a renter myself, I understand there are times you need to rent, but uh and I do think long longer-term rentals are very different from short-term rentals.

And the other that so that's making the case for for the neighborhood and the importance of preserving that feel, which we really don't have in a lot of neighborhoods anymore.

This is a tiny neighborhood.

It's two little cul-de-sac streets with one entrance.

And um, I think it's important to preserve that.

The um second point I wanted to make was that this neighborhood was not built with traffic in mind.

Some of the houses have no garage, some have a one-car garage, some have a two-car garage.

My house has a two-car garage, and I promise you, most people could not fit two vehicles in my garage.

You know, if you have two tiny little sedans, maybe.

Some of these are zero lot line houses.

I mean, we are cozy, uh, very close together.

You know, if there's something going on, everybody knows about it, and um the streets, I mean, it really is an issue when people park on the streets, you know, whether it's um, you know, lawn care people or um emergency vehicles or or just people having visitors over.

I mean, you can't just assume you're gonna just drive straight down the street any time you come into our neighborhood.

It's often a weaving around or whatever, and I think short-term rental people, especially if they're there for you know, some exciting social events or whatever, um, just aren't gonna be as mindful of these sorts of things as people who've live there on an ongoing basis.

And after having made those two points, uh, my third point would be that I really would hate to see a precedent set.

I've noticed tonight every time uh you are talking about somebody petitioning for short-term rental, you're very interested in whether there are other short-term rentals there, and if other short-term rentals are there, you tend to weigh that heavily in accepting more short-term rentals.

Our neighborhood really would suffer if this became a trend, and um uh I really want you know uh just really care very much about what could happen.

Um, we're hanging on to a really sweet, wonderful neighborhood, and I'd like to see that continue.

Thank you for listening.

Thank you so much.

Is there anyone that'd like to speak in favor of this petition?

Hi Love.

Hi, I'm Tamara Coleman.

Um, I just wanted to speak on behalf of Lauren.

Um I was your address for many years.

State your address, please.

Oh, I'm sorry.

One, two, three, one, four, Lake View Manor, Northport.

So I'm here to speak on Lauren's behalf, and I've known her for several years, and I can confidently say that she's one of the most dependable and community-minded people that I know.

Um, Lauren spent much, like she said, spent much of her career in health care and managing people, and so I think she has shown that she can manage people and she's able to manage her property.

She lives there.

You're not gonna want your house to be vandalized by people that come in.

She's gonna make sure that um, you know, her property is protected.

So I have no doubt that Lauren will bring the same level of professionalism that she did in her career as she will in this short-term rental property.

Um, she doesn't take responsibility lightly.

She shows up and she follows through, and she does what's best for the people around her.

And I know this is killing her.

She doesn't want to cause strife in her community, but she does need the extra income, but she loves her community, and she wouldn't have bought her house there if she didn't.

So I just want y'all to please think about that, and just know that we love everybody else too in the co-community of the city.

So just thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else like to speak for or against this petition?

Hi, I'm Ashley McGee, and I'm not from Tusclesa.

I live at 1496 Marvin Chapel Road in Carroll's in Pickens County, so about 30 miles from here.

Um, I've known Lauren for about 10 10 years.

Um, we're administrators together in health care, and professionally, Lauren is probably one of the most responsible individuals I've ever met with the most integrity that I've ever met.

She's always gonna do the right thing.

Um from a personal level, I was able to watch her go through the process of buying this home.

This was her first home that she purchased on her own, and it meant a great deal to her.

She takes so much pride in this home.

Um, this is something I don't think she ever thought she'd have to do.

Pivoting in her career, going back to school and needing this income.

She's living in this home and will only be using this for short-term rental when she needs to.

This is not forever.

I think she hopes it's not gonna be often at all.

Um, but she she has got rules laid out.

I'm sure you know by her speech, she has got a plan and she will follow through on that plan.

Um she cares about this neighborhood, she chose this neighborhood because she's a single lady and it's a safe neighborhood.

So I feel like she will vet whoever comes into this home for a short-term rental very wisely.

Um, I know she does not want to be a disappointment to her neighbors.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else like to speak for or against my name is Jennifer Penyon and I reside at 13654 Cranberry Drive, North Port, Alabama.

Um, I've known Lauren her entire life.

We're cousins.

Um what everyone is saying is true.

Lauren's the most responsible person that I know.

Um, she has great integrity integrity.

Um I also um have a short-term rental, and I've told her that you know I can be a backup for her if she ever needs that.

Um she's talked to me a lot about the short-term rental.

Um I know we have different rules in Northport than Tuscaloosa that I'm not familiar with, but I know that Lauren would follow the rules, and she's gonna vet whoever stays in her home because she loves her home.

She has a beautiful home, um, and she does love her neighborhood, and she doesn't want to upset anyone.

Um, so this has been um really hard for her to even be here and do this, but it's something that she really has to do um for the income right now while she's in school.

Thank you.

We have one more spot to speak for for this petition.

Okay, Lauren, you have the opportunity to respond to the opposition.

I've also listened to a great deal of the zoning and planning meetings and preparation and would like to address the concern that was brought up from um similar cases and and mentioned from my neighbors regarding the emergency access due to parking.

Um the two vehicles requested aligns with the engineering recommendations and would not interfere with emergency access.

Um, it will also be listed in the short-term rental agreement rules and policies as well as the house manual.

Um I value um the concerns about the elderly.

As I was a nursing home administrator, and um I have a real passion for the elderly population.

Um, so I wouldn't be monitoring that extensively to ensure that parking was was followed the rules and regulations.

And I have, as you can see, just a portion of my family, and there's a ton more that I will be living with that's within 30 to 15 minutes from the location that I could easily be there if needed, and then those three backups plus more to come and be in person to mitigate any any issues with parking.

Um, I am also a single woman who understands safety concerns, and although the vetting process is isn't a guarantee, I do have all the the um proper measures in place for monitoring, as I mentioned, the noise concern um monitoring system and the cameras that are facing the front, multiple, um, to monitor that parking situation.

Um, and I can easily be in the area and driving by.

Um, I in the two years I've been there, I always usually just use my parking, and it's usually just me.

So I maintain those rules as well.

Value of concerns, and I hope my character and these individuals speak for me.

Thank you.

We're gonna go to board comments.

At this time, we're gonna close public comment and now go to Borick Comment with Ms.

Holt.

Oh, okay.

Uh, I don't I don't quite know where to start with this one.

Um couple of the concerns that we heard, the cars and the safety in the neighborhood.

Um I get that, I understand that.

It honestly sounds like regardless of whether there are renters or homeowners in the neighborhood, this is a problem.

And so I I don't think that a short-term rental is going to compound this issue by any means.

I I the cars have to be in the driveway.

You're a homeowner, if you're a long-term renter, there are no regulations on where your cars have to be parked.

Um, I heard a concern about um, you know, short-term renters aren't investors in a neighborhood, but but Lauren is, um, the homeowner is.

And um, I you know, um I feel like she'll do, and homeowners do a good job of wanting to maintain a home, especially when it's an owner-occupied home.

Um so obviously we're empathetic to you know what's going on in your life.

We can't vote based off of that.

So I just I just want to make that clear that um, you know, however this goes, that um you know I am in favor of this because like with our other uh petitioners here tonight.

I feel like you've done what you need to do to um honor the request, the city's request of um what short-term um renters have to do.

Um, and I I don't feel like this will have a negative impact on the neighborhood.

So for those reasons, I know that it's a lot.

I'm I'm okay with this.

Um this is a tough one.

Uh like the other petitioner that didn't pass earlier, you know, you have so much of the neighborhood that comes out and and really, you know, really doesn't want the short-term rental.

Uh right now, this you know, there's 90% of the neighborhood, at least 90% that's against it.

Um gave a great speech.

I I don't you know it's pretty difficult, but when you when you look at the integrity of the neighborhood, the roads, how the neighborhood is, and you have majority of the neighborhood there against it, it's it's just hard to hard to approve.

So when I look at this and listen to the petitioner, and then I listen to the opposition.

Um, I'm sure you know, when people first started renting their homes, if I was a homeowner, I wouldn't want the majority of my neighborhood to be long-term rental because I feel like that would have a problem when it comes to the value of my property.

Um long-term renters are allowed to do whatever they can park in the street, they can put stuff in the yard, they can do whatever.

Um renters take better care of their now that I know is not the statistic that long-term renters take better care of property.

Um, I find that you know, the need somebody has hospice in two of the houses, so we are allowing those owners to do what they want to do with their property, but here we are telling someone else they get they shouldn't do something with their property to make money because hospice is a way of making money, group homes and so forth.

We have plenty of people that have come before us with group homes and hospice, and people have come out against that.

So, you know, I find that we're okay with some things in the community as opposed to other things.

Um, I don't think that Lauren's intention is to short term a long time.

She's honest, I need to make some money while I'm in school.

Um, and that's that's what most people are doing.

They're trying to make a little bit of money for whatever reason they need to make it.

I don't have a problem with this.

I do understand the community.

I do understand how you all feel, and I just don't think with four and two, it's gonna have the impact that you think it's gonna have because the things that you stated are already happening.

You stated if you go in your backyard, there's a party, you can hear it.

Well, that's going on now.

You know, you just happen to know the person, so you feel okay with it.

You talk about cars being parked on the street, they're on the street now.

One thing about short-term rental, they can't park on the street.

If you call 311 and state that that car is parked on the street, that goes against Lauren.

When she comes up for renewal, she wouldn't be able to get renewal.

So to me, I don't I don't think four and two would have the type of impact.

I have short-term rental in my neighborhood personally.

You do not know, and when it's owner-occupied, it's totally different.

There are people that can purchase a house in your neighborhood and no one lives there, and then they have short-term rental.

You talk about somebody not being invested in your community.

So Lauren lives in this house.

She seems to be very particular by her speech.

I don't think that she's gonna let just anybody be in her house.

And to be honest, I don't think she's gonna do it too many more times when she has the first person coming to our house.

I think she's gonna be like, eh, this is not the way for me.

I just get that impression, you know.

Um, but I think at this time she wants the option to see if that's something that she can do.

Um, I don't think it's a plan.

I the way she talks about our house and the passion she has for our house.

I don't think she means harm to the community.

I know you say if you open the door, if somebody else comes, eventually, every neighborhood, somebody's gonna come and be the one to be the first in the neighborhood.

We've seen it time and time again.

Um, so I'm you know, this is a long speech, but I I'm in four, I'm for it.

I don't have a problem with it.

Um so yeah, the board chair pretty much just said everything I was gonna say.

Um you're looking at short-term rental, and a lot of the issues uh that we're mentioning is parking.

The photo that we're looking at uh that was on the screen previously, you had a car that was in the road.

The uh situation that was discussed with the gentleman coming in to pick up his daughter, there was a car on the road, and there was a tenant that was either someone that owned a home or a long-term uh renter who had their car in the road.

So, and and you think about something like that, you say, okay, well, that's John's car.

Let's go knock on John's door.

John, move your car.

In a short-term rental, you may not know the person, but they cannot park in the street.

They cannot do it.

And you're limited to two vehicles.

So it's we're not saying you just can't park in the road, but you can just as long as you can get 50 cars in your driveway, you can have 50 people.

You're limited to four people.

We're worried about it being a party house.

It's not gonna be that big of a party with only four people.

So there are things that are put in place with short-term rental to try to make it better for the neighborhood as opposed to a long-term rental, where they may be there for 365 days, like I mentioned before, but there is no cap on how many people they can park wherever they want, and they can park in front of your house.

They don't have to park in front of the house, they're long-term renting from.

They can park in front of your house.

You can call TPD, and TPD cannot make them move.

So short-term rental in this situation, and with it being owner occupied, I have no issues.

At this time, we'll close board comment.

I'll read the petition.

ZBA-69-25, Lauren Lee petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 802 Richmond Place, zone SFR-4, Council District 3, uh four adults, two vehicles, 30 nights, one year probation, voting with Ms.

Holt.

Yes.

No, yes, yes.

Petition fails.

Moving on to our next case tonight, CBA 7025.

Will Stevens petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 1212 36th Avenue East, zone to SFR 4, Council District 5.

Here we have the zoning of the property, as well as an aerial view.

Short-term rentals in the area.

Here we have a photo of the front of the property with uh the driveway.

It's part of the request.

Will Stevens will be the primary contact and will be available 24 hours a day in case of emergency?

The petitioner does not have experience in managing short-term rentals, but does have experience with property management.

The house is equipped with cameras and keypad locks.

It is owner-occupied, and it will be occupied by the petitioner when it's not being rented short-term.

House has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The petitioner is requesting 10 adults and five vehicles.

If approved, staff recommends six adults and three vehicles with two of those vehicles parking in the garage.

Any questions for staff?

And I believe we do have seven uh public comments in opposition.

Okay, why is this one two six and three recommendation?

Typically, it'd be four and two.

Mr.

Bowen, can you clarify that?

You know, why this is usually this will be four and two.

Why did staff say six and three?

It's only two bedrooms.

Let me clarify.

Let me check our staff report just to double check and see if we got that wrong.

Okay.

Because I agree, it should be four and two.

I believe that was a lot going on tonight.

There is a lot going on.

Technical problems.

It's all Lynn would give it to you.

So we'll we'll let him tear.

And then um Mr.

William will come.

It it appears that there is an issue with the house actually has five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

So there's an error in the PowerPoint.

Um should be five bedrooms and two bathrooms.

That's correct.

Okay.

All right.

Mr.

Stevens.

Will Stevens 121236 dive east?

Um, yes, it is five-bed, three bath.

After sitting here for some time, I realize 10 adults, five vehicles is a lot.

Um, especially first time.

I do have some property management um experience.

Uh have a mentor, two mentors helping me out with this short-term rental.

I live there full time, just recently bought the house.

Um, and I'm excited to learn alongside of them.

Um, they live in town, so uh I'll be staying 10 minutes away from the house, and so they'll be helping mentor me throughout that time.

Neither of them are doing Airbnb, or one is one isn't right now.

Uh, and so they have full full time and capability to do those things.

Okay, and you got um rules and regulations.

Yes.

Do you have noise?

No, but um after sitting here for some time.

I plan on getting um why do you keep saying some time we'll I've enjoyed sitting here?

This is a new experience, so okay.

Um, any other questions for Will.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Um, do we have anybody signed up to speak?

We don't have anybody signed to speak for or against.

Is there anybody that'd like to speak for or against this petition?

Okay, at this time we'll close public comment.

We'll go to uh board comment.

Ms.

Holt.

Um I have no issues with staff recommendations of six and three.

I have no issues with staff recommendations as well.

Okay, um, no, I don't have any issues.

Um, go back to the map of it of what was um go back to the map.

Okay, okay.

All right.

Um I don't I don't have any comments, Mr.

Rollins.

You said you don't have any.

I have no issues underfair.

Okay, we go.

Okay, so we're gonna um close board comment and we're gonna go.

I'm gonna read uh read the petition.

ZBA-70-25, William Stevens petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 1212 36th Avenue East, zone SFR-4, Council District 5.

Voting with Ms.

Holt.

Yes.

No, yes, yes.

Petition failed.

Moving on to our final case tonight, CBA 7125.

Todd and Allison Turner petitioned for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 51 Guildswood, zoned SFR1H, Council District 4.

Here we have uh the zoning of the property, as well as an aerial view.

Here are the short-term rentals in the area.

Here we have a view of that property from the street, and some of the parking from the adjacent street.

It's part of the request.

Todd and Allison Turner will be the primary contacts, and we'll be available 24 hours a day in case of emergency.

The petitioner does not have experience managing short-term rentals, but does have experience with commercial leasing.

Um the house is equipped with keypad locks, smoke alarms, a noise detection system, and outdoor cameras.

It is not owner-occupied, and it will be vacant when it's not being rented short-term.

The house has Jonathan, can you confirm that please?

The bedrooms again is incorrect.

It has four beds, four baths.

Yeah.

Petitioners requesting eight adults and four vehicles.

Just don't even carry Mark and John.

If approved, staff recommends eight adults and four vehicles.

You notice he did that to you, Lim.

All his stuff was right, right?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, Todd and Allison Turner.

Come on down.

I'm Todd Turner, 5411 Savannah Avenue, Tuscaloosa, 35406.

And I'm Alison Turner, same address, 5411 Savannah Avenue.

Of course, we're for 51 Guildswood.

But our current address that's where we reside is 5411 Savannah Avenue.

We've seen y'all before, right?

Yes, you have, yes.

Okay.

We just didn't realize there was a expiration and we had some life issues come up with family, so we put it on the case.

I think y'all even expressed that it was some life stuff, something with your mother at the time.

Both our fathers.

Fathers.

Yes.

Passed away the February before we petitioned the first time.

Then mine passed away July.

Then we had a wedding and a grandchild.

Yeah, a lot of life happened.

No problem with that.

So now it's just the same petition.

What did we approve before?

Eight and four.

Eight and four.

Y'all are feeling good.

Okay.

All right.

Um, y'all got anything you need to say?

I was just gonna say that we love the neighborhood.

Uh it's a family house.

My uncle built it 1970.

We bought it in 2011, about 10 days before the tornado hit.

And uh we lived there for about 12 years, moved out to take care of um my dad, and finally decided to do this.

But um, high probability we move back one day.

Um have kids at home, uh school, not anytime soon, but we're looking for uh predominantly Alabama games, but maybe a few more weekends, weekends only seven, six to ten weekends a year, something like that.

Um that's it.

It's not it's not a money maker, it's more to supplement the expenses um involved in it, but I made some notes.

Okay, so I think that we got it, and so we're good.

Okay, okay, thank you.

I don't mean to cut you off.

I know you had a speech prepared, but I was just gonna say we addressed some of the neighbors' concerns.

I think we're good there.

Plenty of parking, huge driveway.

Yes, okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

We don't have anybody listed to speak for or against.

Is there anybody in the audience that'd like to speak for or against?

At this time, we'll close public comment and we'll go to board comment.

Mary Catherine.

Um, I have no issues with this.

Sounds like it's was approved previously, so I'm fine with staff recommendations.

Yeah, I'm good as well.

It was approved in the past.

I agree with my fellow board members.

I have no issues.

I'm in favor.

Okay, at this time we'll close board comment and we'll read the petition.

ZBA-71-25, Todd and Allison Turner petition for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 51 Gillswood zone SFR-1H, Council District 4.

Eight adults, four vehicles, 30 nights, one year.

Voting with Ms.

Holt.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Petition is approved.

We are adjourned.