Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission Hearing - October 8, 2025
Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission Hearing - October 8, 2025
The Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing on October 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting addressed several applications for certificates of appropriateness, including violations, and involved discussions on design guidelines, precedent, and process. The commission approved six applications, denied one, and allowed one withdrawal.
Approval of Minutes
- The commission voted unanimously to approve the synopses of the August and September 2025 meetings.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No oral public comments were made during the hearing.
- One written public comment in opposition was received for HPC 5225 (tree removal at 2007 Maxie Thomas Way).
Discussion Items
HPC 4625 – Chaz Gunter (1506 13th Street) – The applicant petitioned for a certificate of appropriateness for window replacement and exterior alterations. The applicant had previously received expedited approval for window replacement but removed four windows without approval, resulting in a violation. The applicant cited structural issues, safety concerns, and time constraints. Commission members expressed concerns about the drastic change to the rear elevation, the failure to follow the process, and the precedent set. The application was denied unanimously.
HPC 4725 – Kim Roberts (46 Sherwood Drive) – The applicant petitioned for a certificate of appropriateness for a metal gazebo on a previously installed patio. The Zoning Board of Adjustment had approved the gazebo with a condition of greenery. The applicant planted crepe myrtle trees as an alternative to ivy. The commission found the gazebo in keeping with the property and approved it unanimously.
HPC 4825 – McCrary Otts (403 19th Avenue Unit E) – The applicant petitioned for a certificate of appropriateness for an addition. The application had been approved in November 2024 but expired due to lack of work. Work began without re-approval, resulting in a violation. The applicant explained delays due to holidays and contractor scheduling. The commission approved the application unanimously.
HPC 4925 – Carrie Wallace (8 Sherwood Drive) – The applicant petitioned for a certificate of appropriateness for a roof design change, replacing three-tab asphalt shingles with architectural asphalt shingles in a weathered wood color. The commission approved the application unanimously.
HPC 5025 – Wayne Yarbrough (5 Buena Vista) – The applicant petitioned for a certificate of appropriateness for a roof design change, replacing three-tab shingles with GAF Timberline HDZ pewter-gray asphalt shingles. Commissioner Yarbrough recused himself. The commission approved the application unanimously.
HPC 5125 – Starship Parton (represented by Ballard) (1003 Queen City Avenue) – The applicant petitioned for a certificate of appropriateness for demolition of an accessory structure (gazebo) and installation of copper chimney caps. The gazebo was non-original and rotted. The commission approved the application unanimously.
HPC 5225 – James Waltman (2007 Maxie Thomas Way) – The applicant petitioned for a certificate of appropriateness for removal of two trees causing structural damage to the home, as evidenced by a home inspector's report. Commissioner Stone recused herself. The commission approved the removal unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: HPC 4725, 4825, 4925, 5025, 5125, 5225 (all unanimous).
- Denied: HPC 4625 (unanimous).
- Withdrawn: HPC 5325 (unanimous).
- The commission also noted that 8 expedited review approvals had been issued since the previous HPC meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. I'm Kathy Pagani. I am the chair of the Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission. Um I'd like to welcome you to this month's hearing. Today's date is October 8th, 2025, and our time is 5 o'clock p.m. Let me allow my fellow commission members to introduce themselves to you. Beginning on my right, please. Well Robra. Carl Ellabash. Jordan Morris. Cooper Shatdock. Trisha Stone. David Nelson. Thank you very much. And joining us from city staff this evening, we have Mr. Hudson Cheshire, who is the Associate City Attorney, Mr. Zach Pons, the Director of Planning, Mr. Liam O'Leary Planner, and we'd like to welcome Ms. Cynthia DeSantiago, who is a planner. Before we proceed with hearing our cases this evening, I'd like to go over the purpose and the procedures for tonight's hearing. The general purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission is that we serve to preserve and protect the buildings, sites, and historic structures in Tuscaloosa's historic neighborhoods. We are governed by Chapter 20, Article 2 of the Code of Tuscaloosa, which includes design guidelines that are posted on the city's website. Our decisions are based on these design guidelines and do not consider use or occupancy. We do consider such factors as architectural style, appropriateness of materials, and how the structure relates to other structures in the immediate neighborhood in determining the appropriateness of the application. Any approval of an application requires five affirmative votes. If the certificate is approved, please be aware that there will be a final inspection by city staff to ensure compliance with what was approved this evening by the commission. This is a public hearing. It is televised live on local cable, streamed online through Facebook, and is being recorded to be posted on the city's website. We ask proper decorum, civility, and respect for others at all times. Prior to this meeting, notice was sent to adjacent property owners, and the public has been notified of the applications to be presented tonight. This hearing is a chance for the applicant to present present their case, for the public to make their views known about the project, and for commission members to gather relevant facts about the application before making its decision. We will begin city staff will introduce the application. The applicant will then have a chance to make any comments. The commissioners will then have an opportunity to ask the applicant's questions about the case. A notarized designation of agent form should have been provided to city staff for any representatives of an application that are not the property owner or immediate family member of the owner prior to tonight's hearing. Immediate family members, and we define that as a parent, a spouse, or a child, do not have to provide such written authorization when speaking on behalf of another immediate family member. And we ask that you please leave signs in your yard. City staff will be around in the next few days to pick them up. So moving on to business. As the Historic Preservation Commission has received synopses of the August and September 2025 meetings, I move that we dispense with the reading of the minutes of the same unless there are any deletions, additions, or corrections. Do I have a second on that? Thank you. And we shall vote beginning on my right, Dr. Yarbrough. Yes. Yes. Mr. Deeson? Yes. Mr.
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