City of Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - September 15, 2025
City of Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - September 15, 2025
The City of Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission met on September 15, 2025, to consider a variety of land use petitions including annexations, rezonings, and preliminary plats. All votes were unanimous. The meeting began with introductions, staff presentations, and the establishment of rules for public comment.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The commission voted to approve the minutes from the August 2025 meeting.
- Consent Agenda Item S8425: Approved without public comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mike Butts (11837 Grandview Drive) spoke regarding the preliminary plat for Lake Hove Estates #4 (S8325). He raised concerns about restrictive covenants, stormwater drainage, setbacks on lots 37, 41, and 42, and construction impacts such as erosion and mud on streets. He also asked about septic feasibility and turnaround design. Staff and petitioner addressed each point, noting that drainage studies were not required due to the site being under 10 acres, and that the LDP process would include inspections.
Discussion Items
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Unfinished Business – Preliminary Plat S7625 (Thompson Place Resurvey)
- Location: 15329-15343 Bluff Drive, 4.7 acres, four lots. Continued from August.
- Variance requests: Engineering had no objections, but required that lots 2, 3, and 4 share a single access to Tiers Patent Road (minor arterial). Lot 1 would access Marina Drive.
- Petitioner Jonathan McKinney stated plans to build $1.5–2 million homes and remove existing mobile homes.
- Commission approved the plat with conditions, including the access easement modification.
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Companion Case – Annexation AN1625 and Rezoning Z2125 (14310 Santorini Street)
- Annexation of 0.031 acres and rezoning from SFR1 to LR (Lake Residential) to create a consistent lot with adjacent property. Located in Gates of Emerald’s Ed subdivision.
- Staff noted the use conforms to Framework Plan (lakeside living). No public comment.
- Approved unanimously.
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Companion Case – Annexation AN1725 and Rezoning Z2225 (6950 University Boulevard East)
- Annexation of 0.7 acres and rezoning from SFR1 to GC (General Commercial). Site has existing convenience store and fuel station.
- Petitioner Donish Sudan (Texaco operator) cited accounting streamlining and future sewer access as reasons. Also noted alcohol license requirements.
- Approved unanimously.
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Rezoning Z2325 (1431 Hackberry Lane)
- Rezone from UC to MRU to allow construction of four triplex buildings (54 beds, 57 beds/acre). Site currently has a package store and laundromat.
- Petitioner Al Cavanus (Cabinet's Engineering) argued the narrow lot is unsuitable for commercial use. The use aligns with Framework Plan (campus services).
- Approved unanimously.
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Preliminary Plat S8325 – Lake Hove Estates #4
- Nine lots on 9.8 acres, south of Grandview Lane and east of Cherokee Drive. Not in city limits. Two variance requests.
- Previously approved in May 2025; petitioner requested re-approval due to construction delays.
- Public comment from Mike Butts (see above). Commission re-approved the plat, with engineering to ensure access easements and LDP conditions.
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Preliminary Plat S8525 – Nolan Addition to Spain Drive
- Two lots on 13.6 acres at 15012 Spain Drive. Three variance requests. No public comment.
- Petitioner Kevin Hinkle represented the Nolans to split family land.
- Approved unanimously.
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Preliminary Plat S8625 – Brown Addition to 24th Street
- Resurvey of three remnant lots into one lot on 0.55 acres at 2622 24th Street. One variance request for sidewalk construction.
- Petitioner Kevin Hinkle represented lot consolidation. Approved unanimously.
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Preliminary Plat S8725 – Resurvey of Lots 9 & 10, Old Farmhouse Subdivision
- Consolidation of two lots into one lot on 6.3 acres at 18495 John Swindle Road. One variance request.
- Petitioner Michael McGuire stated the owner wants to remove interior lot line for new house construction. Approved unanimously.
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Preliminary Plat S8825 – SBR Subdivision
- Two lots on 10.6 acres at 2701 31st Street. Two variance requests. No public comment.
- Petitioner Michael McGuire noted the owner plans future development. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All items on the agenda received unanimous approval from the commission.
- For S7625, the plat was approved with the condition that lots 2, 3, and 4 share a single access to Tiers Patent Road, and the access easement must be adjusted to include lot 4.
- For S8325, the plat was re-approved; the petitioner will work with staff on setbacks for corner lots 37, 41, and 42, and construction will be monitored through the LDP process.
- The commission recommended all annexation and rezoning petitions to the City Council for final action.
- No motions were denied or tabled.
Meeting Transcript
Somebody. All right, I'll go ahead and get this this part started. Good evening and welcome to the September 15, 2025 meeting of the City of Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission. Any written comments sent to staff were forwarded to the Commission directly. This time I'd like to introduce our staff, Jim Bo Woodson, Deputy City Attorney, Michael Garner, City Engineer, Zach Pons, Director of Planning, Leo DeCoy, Principal Planner. There are nine members of the Planning Commission, all of them are appointed by the mayor for staggered terms, with the exception of the City Council representative who is appointed by the City Council. I ask the Commission members to introduce themselves and state the occupation beginning with Ms. Prince. Dina Prince, attorney. Portia Clark, 311 manager. Tim Harrison, General Crown Director. Ann Hornsby, attorney. Raven Howard, Councilwoman. ADP, retired Bill Wright Business Owner. There were signup sheets located outside for public comment. Four speakers are allowed to speak in favor of petition and four speakers are allowed to speak in opposition of a petition. All speakers will have the maximum of five minutes unless the commission votes to allow a longer time. The commission will take up the items in order of the final agenda. The commission will initially receive a presentation from staff as to the details of the agenda item. Additionally, we may hear certain matters involving the same property, such as an annexation and a zoning matter concurrently, although we will take separate votes on each matter involving the same property. After the staff presentation, I will call upon the petitioner to present their case. The petitioner will have a maximum of 10 minutes unless the commission votes to allow a longer time. At the conclusion of the petition's remarks, we'll then call upon any party in order of sign up who desires to support the petition. Thereafter, call upon any party who opposes the petition. When it's your term for comment, please introduce yourself, stating your name and address to the commission. Provide your remarks. Any written comments you have been would be included into the record. After receiving the remarks of those who oppose the petition, the petitioner will have the opportunity to respond to those objections. Any rebuttal will be limited to two minutes unless commission votes to allow a longer time. If the petitioner presents any information respond in the response to the objections, the commission will allow those who oppose the petition the opportunity to respond to the new information only. Any response will be limited to two minutes unless Commission votes to allow a longer time. During the course of the presentation, you may be interrupted by any member of the commission for a clarification or additional information. Such interruptions will not reduce your time. Once the Commission members are satisfied that they have received all relevant information, will then close further discussions by the public, at which time the commission members will discuss and on the matter and then vote. After the vote, you are free to leave. These proceedings are being recorded and broadcast live. All in-person public comments should be made at the podium into the microphone. Jurisdiction. Subdivisions located within City of Tusk and City Limits, subdivisions located outside of the city limits, but within the police jurisdiction. Developments with a special district and approval letters for developments in historic district buffer zones. As to all remaining agenda matters, including annexations, rezonings, planned developments, and street vacation. This commission serves as a recommended body to the city council. In that regard, our decisions are in the form of a recommendation to be presented to the city council, and the city council will make the final decision on those matters. Subdivision approval requires the affirmative vote of six members of the planning commission. All matters which are recommendations to the city council require majority vote for an affirmative recommendation. At this time, I would ask do any members of the commission have any conflicts of interest to any matters before us tonight? If so, please state for the record. Having heard none, I would ask staff to confirm on the record that proper notice has been given to all parties and interest as required by law as to all matters before the commission tonight. It has. With that, we will begin with approval of the minutes as the planning and zoning commission has received the synopsis of the August 2025 meeting.
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