Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments Meeting – August 25, 2025

The City of Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments met on August 25, 2025, in the afternoon/evening to hear a withdrawn case, a waiver request, and a series of variance and special exception petitions, including numerous short-term rental applications. The board approved several items with conditions, denied a waiver for a short-term rental, and denied three short-term rental petitions following significant neighborhood opposition.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the synopsis of the June 2025 meeting without corrections or additions.

Withdrawn Case

• EBA 56-25 (Long Leaf Engineering): Petition for a variance from commercial building material standards at 3311 and 3327 Hargrove Road East was withdrawn by the applicant (property not in city limits). Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Waiver of Rule 13 (Bama BNB, 1 The Downs): Dr. Eric Lake (20 The Downs) opposed the waiver, detailing his hypervigilance as a disabled military veteran and the importance of neighborhood stability. He argued that the owner’s lack of understanding of the process should not justify relief. Charter Morris (3 The Downs) described post-hearing harassment by the owner and a subsequent show of vehicles blocking the street, raising safety concerns. No speakers supported the waiver.
• ZBA 61-25 (Marion Snow, 4336 Ridgewood Road): Charles Bell (adjacent property) opposed the short-term rental, citing neighborhood decline, transient traffic, and potential for parties. The petitioner responded with rules prohibiting street parking and noise.
• ZBA 66-25 (Garrett Bullock, 4 The Knolls): Nancy Cobb, Cassandra Dorsey, and Richard Cobb (residents of The Knolls and adjacent areas) opposed the short-term rental, detailing past crime, drug activity, narrow streets (10–11 feet wide), and concerns about traffic and safety. They submitted a petition with seven signatures. The petitioner noted he would enforce no street parking and had paid a premium for the property.
• ZBA 69-25 (Lauren Lee, 802 Richmond Place): Joe Hargrove (property owner in Ashland Place), Cherry Williamson (HOA president), Margaret Powell, and Dr. Nancy Campbell opposed the short-term rental, citing narrow streets, emergency access issues for two neighbors under hospice care, and the neighborhood’s unique character. Supporters (Tamara Coleman, Ashley McGee, Jennifer Penyon) spoke to the petitioner’s character and management plan. The petitioner gave a detailed presentation.
• ZBA 70-25 (Will Stevens, 1212 36th Avenue East): No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

• Waiver of Rule 13 – Bama BNB (1 The Downs): The applicant Kim Roberts requested a waiver of the six-month waiting period after a denial in July 2025, citing the owner’s hiring of a management company and willingness to reduce adult/car counts. Staff noted one letter of opposition. The board discussed the original denial, the owner’s lack of preparation, and the financial hardship claim. The waiver was denied (vote: 3–1? Chair declared “petition fails”).
• ZBA 57-25 (Kim Roberts, 46 Sherwood Drive) – Variance for Gazebo: Request to build a 12-foot-tall metal gazebo in the front yard, shielded by existing 10-foot holly bushes and climbing ivy. Staff noted no public comments. The board approved with a stipulation that greenery cover the structure (unanimous).
• ZBA 58-25 (John Markham, 2500 Greensboro Avenue) – Temporary Office: Special exception for a modular office/restroom during construction of a new office/warehouse, anticipated October 2025 to August 2026. One comment in opposition. Approved with stipulation to remove by August 2026 (unanimous).
• ZBA 72-25 (Juan Pascal, 4201 Greensboro Avenue) – Tire Shop: Special exception for a light vehicle repair shop (tires, brakes, alignments). Staff recommended screening for the rear fence. The petitioner’s daughter agreed to work with staff. Approved with screening stipulation (unanimous).
• Short-Term Rental Cases: The board heard multiple petitions for special exceptions. Each case included staff recommendations on adult/vehicle limits, and board discussion focused on experience, owner-occupancy, neighborhood opposition, and past approvals.

Key Outcomes

• Waiver of Rule 13 (1 The Downs): Denied. The board found that the applicant’s hardship was self-inflicted and financial, not grounds for a waiver.
• ZBA 57-25 (Gazebo at 46 Sherwood Drive): Approved unanimously with stipulation to cover the structure with greenery.
• ZBA 58-25 (Temporary Office at 2500 Greensboro Avenue): Approved unanimously with stipulation to remove by August 2026.
• ZBA 72-25 (Tire Shop at 4201 Greensboro Avenue): Approved unanimously with stipulation for fence screening.
• ZBA 60-25 (Justin Durham, 4574 Royale Drive): Approved for 8 adults, 4 vehicles, with condition that 2 vehicles park in the garage. Previous approval was for 4 adults, 2 vehicles. Unanimous.
• ZBA 61-25 (Marion Snow, 4336 Ridgewood Road): Approved for 8 adults, 4 vehicles. One comment in support, one in opposition. Unanimous.
• ZBA 62-25 (Nina McMullen, 2111 Herman Avenue): Approved for 4 adults, 2 vehicles. Unanimous.
• ZBA 63-25 (Bama BNB, 538 Hargrove Road): Approved for 4 adults, 2 vehicles (staff recommendation). Unanimous.
• ZBA 64-25 (James & Laura Sminge, 431 MLK Boulevard): Approved for 4 adults, 2 vehicles. Unanimous.
• ZBA 65-25 (Carrie Kinward, 908 16th Avenue): Approved for 4 adults, 2 vehicles. Unanimous.
• ZBA 66-25 (Garrett Bullock, 4 The Knolls): Denied (vote 3–1? Chair declared “didn’t pass”). The board cited neighborhood opposition and narrow streets despite the petitioner’s conditions.
• ZBA 68-25 (Cavin Parrish, 3721 Crescent Garden Drive): Approved for 6 adults, 3 vehicles. Unanimous.
• ZBA 69-25 (Lauren Lee, 802 Richmond Place): Denied (vote 3–1? Chair declared “petition fails”). The board acknowledged the petitioner’s thorough plan but noted overwhelming neighborhood opposition (90% of residents signed petition).
• ZBA 70-25 (Will Stevens, 1212 36th Avenue East): Denied (vote 3–1? Chair declared “petition failed”). No public comments. The board noted the property had five bedrooms but staff recommended 6 adults, 3 vehicles; the vote was split.
• ZBA 71-25 (Todd & Allison Turner, 51 Guildswood): Approved for 8 adults, 4 vehicles. Previously approved but expired. Unanimous.