City of Tuscaloosa ZBA Meeting Summary - November 24, 2025

The City of Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) convened on November 24, 2025, to review petitions for special exceptions and variances. The board addressed four withdrawal requests, a controversial group home application in a high-blight area, a hardship case involving an RV dwelling, and multiple short-term rental applications. While several petitions were approved based on code compliance and applicant capability, two significant votes failed due to concerns regarding property use restrictions, location suitability, and adherence to zoning standards.

Consent Calendar

• ZBA 10325 (Assange): Motion granted to withdraw petition for a tent sheltered retail establishment at 2002 Greensboro Avenue; unanimously approved.
• ZBA 10725 (Price McGifford): Motion granted to withdraw variance for stoop encroachment at 808 Almond Avenue, as staff determined ZBA approval was not required; unanimously approved.
• ZBA 10825 (Barclay Mallet): Motion granted to withdraw variance for front steps encroachment at 800 Lurlene B. Wallace Boulevard North, as staff determined ZBA approval was not required; unanimously approved.
• ZBA 111125 (Annie Geean): Motion granted to withdraw special exception for short-term rental at 2017 Fox Ridge Road; unanimously approved.
• 2026 Calendar: The board unanimously approved the calendar for the 2026 fiscal year.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Opposition to Group Home (ZBA 10125): Mary Craig (Pastor, Faith Riff Church) and Laura Griffin (Church Secretary) opposed the request, citing a signed petition of 20 members; they expressed concern that the area is too small for the proposed bedrooms and that Harrison Avenue is too narrow for staff/visitor parking.
• Opposition to Group Home (ZBA 10125): Lynette Miles expressed concern that the location is not suitable for rehabilitation, citing high crime rates in the four-block radius (64 calls year-to-date, 62 drug/alcohol related) and fearing the location would lower property values for her grandchildren.
• Opposition to Group Home (ZBA 10125): Larry DeLoach argued that placing recovering individuals in a crime-ridden area creates temptation and safety risks, specifically noting the lack of safe walking areas and the danger of being on the porch near a road with potential drive-by incidents.
• Opposition to Group Home (ZBA 10125): Jarita Griffin (local business owner and neighbor) opposed the location despite wanting to improve the community, fearing rule-bending incidents and safety issues for the three women living in her immediate vicinity (50 yards away), specifically regarding dark alleyways and late-night activity.
• Support for Group Home (ZBA 10125): Brian Winter (Petitioner/Phoenix House representative) countered that Phoenix House acts as a stabilizing force against blight, noting that current residents are positive contributors and that the program has a recidivism rate under 30%. He argued that cost is the primary driver for location selection due to land availability, not the area's crime statistics.
• Opposition to RV Dwelling (ZBA 10625): Victoria Evans (Petitioner) explained her mother's mental health diagnosis (schizophrenia) and lack of state recognition for her birth certificate prevents housing resources; she expressed that living elsewhere is impossible, making the RV a necessary alternative to homelessness.
• Opposition to Short-Term Rentals (ZBA 115/116): Charlotte Reed and Mary Ruth Shores (neighbors) expressed concern about property vacancy, lack of maintenance (broken windows, overgrown yards), noise, and late-night parties in a cul-de-sac. They argued short-term rentals reduce community cohesion compared to long-term neighbors.
• Opposition to Short-Term Rentals (ZBA 115/116): John Hall (neighbor and Uber driver) argued that the neighborhood cannot support the parking volume for short-term guests, fearing parking blockages in the narrow cul-de-sac and late-night disturbances affecting his daughter and other families.
• Opposition to Short-Term Rentals (ZBA 115/116): Andrea Hayes expressed concern that high-traffic short-term guests will disrupt the quiet culture of the neighborhood and that they prefer getting to know long-term residents.

Discussion Items

• ZBA 10925 (Evans Fitz): Staff clarified that the property is a through lot with two front yards (Audubon Place and 7th Street). The board discussed the consistency of the request with existing accessory structures in the neighborhood, noting similar front-yard parking and fencing.
• ZBA 1125 (Caleb Duncan): The board discussed noise control and vehicle storage. The petitioner confirmed all work and vehicle maintenance occur inside the building with doors closed by 6:00 PM, and dismantled vehicles are stored internally, satisfying staff concerns.
• ZBA 11625 (Jaquan Winters): Board members debated parking capacity in the cul-de-sac and the potential for parties. The board distinguished between the lack of control over long-term renters (who can have unlimited vehicles and parties) versus the strict enforceability of conditions on short-term rentals, noting that the applicant is a licensed real estate agent with a financial incentive to maintain property value.

Key Outcomes

• ZBA 10125 (Group Home - Phoenix House): Motion to approve the special exception failed (Vote: 2 Yes, 3 No). The board denied the petition for a group home at 2212 26th Avenue, citing concerns about the high-crime location and potential for nuisance conditions despite the applicant meeting technical requirements.
• ZBA 10625 (RV Dwelling): Motion to continue the case failed (Vote: 2 Yes, 3 No); the petition to allow an RV as a dwelling failed (Vote: 0 Yes, 5 No). The board denied the variance due to the financial nature of the hardship and the fact that the requested use (RV dwelling) is not permitted in the district.
• ZBA 10925 (Accessory Structure): Motion to grant the variance to construct a front-yard accessory structure at 20 Audubon Place approved (Vote: 5 Yes, 0 No).
• ZBA 11025 (Light Vehicle Repair Shop): Motion to grant the special exception for 3401 Greensboro Avenue approved (Vote: 5 Yes, 0 No).
• ZBA 11225 (Short-Term Rental - 1314 15th Avenue): Motion to grant special exception for four adults and two vehicles for a one-year probation approved (Vote: 5 Yes, 0 No).
• ZBA 11325 (Short-Term Rental - 1312 12th Street East): Motion to grant special exception for eight adults and four vehicles for a one-year probation approved (Vote: 5 Yes, 0 No).
• ZBA 11725 (Short-Term Rental - 1007 Almond Avenue): Motion to grant special exception for eight adults and four vehicles for a one-year probation approved (Vote: 5 Yes, 0 No).
• ZBA 11825 (Short-Term Rental - 12 Dogwood Lane): Motion to grant special exception for four adults and two vehicles (accepting staff recommendation) for a one-year probation approved (Vote: 5 Yes, 0 No).
• ZBA 11525 (Short-Term Rental - 23 Windsor Drive): Motion to grant special exception for four adults and two vehicles for a one-year probation approved (Vote: 5 Yes, 0 No).
• ZBA 11625 (Short-Term Rental - 20 Windsor Drive): Motion to grant special exception for six adults and three vehicles for a one-year probation approved (Vote: 5 Yes, 0 No).