OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments Meeting - September 22, 2025

City Council Meetings — Monday, September 22, 2025
BodyTuscaloosa, Alabama
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateMonday, September 22, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:48:07

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Welcome to our September 22nd, 2025 meeting of the City of Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments.

0:09

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

0:14

Now at this time, I'd like to introduce the staff and our members.

0:18

Chad Hobbs, senior associate city attorney.

0:22

Huston Cheshire, Associate City Attorney.

0:25

Leota Coin, Principal Planner.

0:27

Lim O'Leary, planner, Kevin Jones helping with video production.

0:32

I ask that each board member introduce themselves, starting on my left.

0:35

Mary Catherine Holt.

0:37

Marty Hamner.

0:38

Michelle Coley, Chair.

0:39

Paul Rollins Jr.

0:41

Austin Mayor Wilhelm.

0:43

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

0:50

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

0:59

Grant variances from the zoning code when strict enforcement creates unnecessary hardship circumstances that are not hardship, include those that are self-inflicted, are self-created, inconvenient, and are personal.

1:15

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

1:21

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

1:26

Now there were signup sheets located outside for the public comment.

1:30

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

1:36

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

1:42

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

1:46

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

1:54

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

2:00

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

2:05

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

2:13

Thereafter, I will call on any part any party in order of sign-up who it opposes the petition.

2:19

Now, when it's your turn for comment, please introduce yourself, stating your name and address to the board to provide your remarks and any written comments have been included into our record.

2:31

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

2:39

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

2:44

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.

2:55

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

3:00

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

3:08

Such interruptions will be re will not reduce your allotted time.

3:12

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.

3:23

Now, after the vote, you are free to leave.

3:26

Now, these proceedings are video recorded and broadcast live.

3:31

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

3:36

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

3:54

Now, do any members of the board have any conflicts of interest as to any agenda matters?

3:58

If so, please state the same for the record.

4:02

No.

4:03

Okay.

4:04

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

4:15

Yes, it has.

4:16

Okay.

4:17

And so at this time, I guess we're ready to get started, but I need to iterate that it is uh five people voting and that we have it's not a simple majority.

4:26

It has to be the uh four of us have to approve it.

4:29

Okay, so tonight we got five, or will it be three that has to approve tonight?

4:34

Four.

4:35

It will have to be the four.

4:36

So just because three of us approve it, it has to be four for it to go across.

4:42

Okay.

4:42

All right, Lynn, we're ready.

4:47

Oh, wait, right.

4:51

Good afternoon, board.

4:52

Starting with our first case tonight, ZBA 7325.

5:00

Wade Lowry petitions for a variance from the neighborhood compatibility compatibility standards to construct a self-storage facility on the property located at 4500 jug factory road zone HC Council District 7.

5:08

Here we have an aerial view of that property, a closer aerial view.

5:14

Here we have a view of that property standing from the road, and view of the property standing at the at the front of the property.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Short Term Rentals█████████████████████████████████████████████60%
Zoning Regulations█████████████████████28%
Zoning And Land Use████5%
Procedural███4%
Public Safety██2%
Signage█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments Meeting - September 22, 2025

The City of Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments met on September 22, 2025, to hear petitions for variances from zoning standards and special exceptions for short-term rentals. The board addressed 16 agenda items, voting on each after staff presentations, public comments, and board discussion.

Variances

  • ZBA 73-25 (Wade Lowry): Petition for a variance from neighborhood compatibility standards to construct a four-story self-storage facility at 4500 Jug Factory Road. The building was required to be 126 feet from an adjacent residential district but was proposed at approximately 60 feet. The petitioner cited topography as the hardship. The board approved the variance unanimously (5-0), noting the existing natural tree buffer and the adjacent hotel's taller height.
  • ZBA 74-25 (Matt Calderon): Petition for a variance from sign regulations to keep an existing non-conforming 45-50 foot freestanding sign at 1200 McFarland Boulevard Northeast. The permitted height is 25 feet. The petitioner argued the sign is critical for site visibility due to access challenges. The board denied the petition (0-5), citing a need to honor current sign ordinances and a lack of demonstrated hardship.
  • ZBA 75-25 (Eric Hamner): Petition for a variance from sign regulations to keep an existing Best Western hotel sign on McFarland Boulevard East after a property subdivision would make it an off-site billboard. The board approved (5-0) with the condition that the sign be treated as a freestanding sign, noting the unique lot configuration and the hotel's lack of street frontage.

Special Exceptions (Light Vehicle Repair)

  • ZBA 77-25 (Dion Trone): Petition for a special exception to operate a light vehicle repair shop at 4115 Greensboro Avenue, a building previously used as a mechanical shop. The board approved (5-0) with stipulations that the petitioner work with staff on appropriate screening for a rear fence and ensure tires are stored inside.

Short-Term Rentals

  • ZBA 94-25 (Kristen Nolte): Short-term rental at 1210 Oakwood Avenue. The petitioner requested 11 adults and 4 vehicles; staff recommended 6 adults and 3 vehicles. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations.
  • ZBA 78-25 (Ashton and Brandy Johnson): Short-term rental at 3821 University Boulevard East. The property is owner-occupied. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 4 adults and 2 vehicles.
  • ZBA 80-25 (Adrian Casey Jones): Short-term rental at 1309 13th Street East. The property is owner-occupied, and the petitioner has experience managing over 30 properties. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 4 adults and 2 vehicles.
  • ZBA 81-25 (Stephen Friday): Short-term rental at 1985 Woodridge Road. The property had an existing illegal gravel driveway, which was noted as a code violation. The board continued the case for up to two months (to November 2025) to allow the petitioner to address the driveway issue. The board expressed general support for the short-term rental itself.
  • ZBA 82-25 (Leonard Jones): Short-term rental at 4633 Stone Hill Lane. The petitioner is an Airbnb super host with 2 years of experience. One public comment in opposition was received regarding privacy and traffic. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 6 adults and 3 vehicles.
  • ZBA 84-25 (Surenda Hari): Short-term rental at 2609 Hackberry Lane. The petitioner initially requested 8 adults and 4 vehicles but agreed to staff recommendations of 4 adults and 2 vehicles due to driveway constraints. Approved (5-0).
  • ZBA 85-25 (William Brakefield): Short-term rental at 2917 Narrow Lane Road. The property has a gravel driveway that predates the 2007 ordinance barring such surfaces. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 2 adults and 1 vehicle, with the possibility of requesting more vehicles after driveway improvements.
  • ZBA 86-25 (Tamara and Jason Rodriguez): Short-term rental at 1428 20th Avenue East. The property is owner-occupied; the owner's daughter will provide on-site assistance. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 4 adults and 2 vehicles.
  • ZBA 87-25 (Effie Fields): Short-term rental at 4803 36th Avenue East. The property is owner-occupied with no prior short-term rental experience. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 6 adults and 3 vehicles.
  • ZBA 88-25 (Wilson Glaze): Short-term rental at 3719 Timber Cove Circle. The petitioner manages over 30 short-term rentals. Staff recommended 6 adults and 3 vehicles (with garage use), but some board members expressed concerns about driveway width. Petitioner agreed to staff recommendations. Approved (5-0) with 4 adults and 2 vehicles.
  • ZBA 89-25 (Northport Bama Bungalow LLC): Short-term rental at 8 Sherwood Drive. The property will be used for the owner's family and as an investment. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 8 adults and 4 vehicles.
  • ZBA 90-25 (Kimberly Roberts): Short-term rental at 1413 26th Avenue East. The property management company has 20 years of experience. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 6 adults and 3 vehicles.
  • ZBA 91-25 (Titus Brown): Short-term rental at 1009 18th Street. The petitioner installed a new driveway approved by the Office of City Engineer. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 6 adults and 3 vehicles.
  • ZBA 92-25 (Lock Tran): Short-term rental at 2011 Cross Creek Drive. Three public comments in opposition were received. The petitioner has experience managing short-term rentals in Bessemer. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 6 adults and 3 vehicles.
  • ZBA 93-25 (Ryan Lloyd): Short-term rental at 721 Queen City Avenue. The property will be used primarily for the owner's son, a UA freshman. Staff recommended 6 adults and 3 vehicles, superseding the petitioner's request for 2 vehicles. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations.
  • ZBA 95-25 (Zachary Hamm): Short-term rental at 7A Hillcrest. The property will be managed by Tanner Ashcraft. One public comment in opposition and two in support were received. Approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 4 adults and 2 vehicles.
  • ZBA 96-25 (Eric Anders): Short-term rental at 1720 Fifth Avenue. The petitioner has over 10 years of experience. Staff recommended 4 adults and 2 vehicles; petitioner agreed. Approved (5-0).
  • ZBA 97-25 (Michael Tinker): Short-term rental at 6817 Abbey Trace Drive. Five public comments in opposition were received. The board approved (5-0) with staff recommendations of 6 adults and 3 vehicles (down from the requested 8 and 4), citing neighbor concerns and the property's proximity to neighboring homes.

Key Outcomes

  • Variance Granted (1): ZBA 73-25 (four-story self-storage) – Approved unanimously.
  • Variance Denied (1): ZBA 74-25 (non-conforming sign) – Denied unanimously.
  • Variance Granted with Condition (1): ZBA 75-25 (Best Western sign) – Approved to be treated as a freestanding sign.
  • Special Exception Granted (1): ZBA 77-25 (light vehicle repair) – Approved with screening and tire storage stipulations.
  • Short-Term Rental Approvals (18): All approved, most with reduced occupancy and vehicle limits per staff recommendations. One case (ZBA 81-25) was continued for up to two months to address an illegal gravel driveway.
  • Board Decisions: All votes required four of five members for approval per board rules.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to our September 22nd, 2025 meeting of the City of Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments. Any written comments sent to staff were forwarded to the board directly. Now at this time, I'd like to introduce the staff and our members. Chad Hobbs, senior associate city attorney. Huston Cheshire, Associate City Attorney. Leota Coin, Principal Planner. Lim O'Leary, planner, Kevin Jones helping with video production. I ask that each board member introduce themselves, starting on my left. Mary Catherine Holt. Marty Hamner. Michelle Coley, Chair. Paul Rollins Jr. Austin Mayor Wilhelm. Now, by virtue of state law and city ordinances, the purpose of the zoning board of adjustments is as follows. Here appeals from zoning officer decisions, grant special exceptions to the zoning code in accordance with the terms as established by the city council. Grant variances from the zoning code when strict enforcement creates unnecessary hardship circumstances that are not hardship, include those that are self-inflicted, are self-created, inconvenient, and are personal. Now 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. Now there were signup sheets located outside for the public comment. Four speakers are allowed to speak in favor of a petition, and four speakers are allowed to speak in opposition of a petition. Now all speakers will have a maximum of five minutes unless the board votes to allow a longer time. Now the board will take up items in the order of our final agenda. The board initially received a presentation from the staff 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 sign-up who desires to support the petition. Thereafter, I will call on any part any party in order of sign-up who it opposes 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 and any written comments have been included into our record. Now, after receiving the remarks of those who oppose the petition, the petitioner will have an opportunity to respond to those objections. Any rebuttal will be limited to two minutes unless the board votes to allow a 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 a longer time. Now during the course of this presentation, you may be interrupted by any member of the board for clarification or additional information. Such interruptions will be re will not reduce your allotted time. 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 are free to leave. Now, these proceedings are video recorded and broadcast live. All in-person public comments should be made at the podium into the microphone. Any party agreed by any final judgment or decision of such zoning board of adjustments may within 15 days thereafter appeal therefrom to the circuit court by filing with such board a written notice of appeal specifying the judgment or decision from which the appeal is taken. Now, do any members of the board have any conflicts of interest as to any agenda matters? If so, please state the same for the record. No. Okay. I would like to ask the staff to confirm on the record that proper notice has been given to all parties in interest as required by law as a matter as all matters before the board tonight. Yes, it has. Okay. And so at this time, I guess we're ready to get started, but I need to iterate that it is uh five people voting and that we have it's not a simple majority. It has to be the uh four of us have to approve it. Okay, so tonight we got five, or will it be three that has to approve tonight? Four.

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