Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 11, 2026
Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 11, 2026
The Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing on March 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM, chaired by Kathy Pagani. Commissioners present included Jordan Morris, Carl Elabash, David Nelson, David Dyab, and others, along with city staff. The meeting began with the approval of minutes from the November 2025 and February 2026 meetings.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the synopses of the November 2025 and February 2026 meetings unanimously (6-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No oral public comments were made during the hearing. Written comments were received: one in support of HPC0926 (27 University Circle) and one in support of HPC0726 (2007 Maxi Thomas Way).
Discussion Items
Case HPC0826 – 16 Buena Vista (Buena Vista Historic District) Applicant Jackie Woskoware petitioned for a certificate of appropriateness for a 16×10 ft shed with a wooden ramp in the rear yard. The shed would use LP SmartSide vertical siding, asphalt shingles matching the primary structure, and be painted similarly. Staff reported no public comments. The application was approved unanimously (6-0).
Case HPC0926 – 27 University Circle (University Circle Historic District) Applicant Brian Yokley petitioned for a roof over an existing rear patio, four new stone columns, and ceiling fans. Discussion focused on whether the stone columns had been previously approved by the commission; staff later confirmed that a prior application in 2024 had approved the stone arch and columns. One written comment in support was received. Some concern was expressed that the columns were not in character with the predominantly white brick neighborhood. The application was approved unanimously (7-0).
Case HPC1026 – 1400 Caplewood Drive (Caplewood Historic District) Applicant Price McGifford Jr. petitioned for a new interior staircase addition on the right side, replacement of windows, a rear wooden deck, and a fiberglass door. The addition would use brick, HardieBoard siding, and asphalt shingles to match existing. No public comments. A commissioner noted the work appeared deliberate and integrated. Approved unanimously (7-0).
Case HPC0726 – 2007 Maxi Thomas Way (Druid City Historic District) Applicant Jim Waltman petitioned to remove two existing wrought iron porch supports and replace them with white wooden posts. One written comment in support was received. Commissioner Stone recused herself. After discussion, the commission voted: 4 in favor (Mr. Deeson, Chair, Mr. Morris, Mr. Albash), 1 opposed (Mr. Diab), and 1 abstention (Dr. Nelson). With only four affirmative votes (one short of the required five), the application was not approved. The opposing commissioner cited the removal of historic material as contrary to preservation guidelines.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: HPC0826 (shed at 16 Buena Vista), HPC0926 (roof and columns at 27 University Circle), HPC1026 (staircase and deck at 1400 Caplewood Drive). Each application received at least five affirmative votes.
- Denied: HPC0726 (porch supports at 2007 Maxi Thomas Way) due to insufficient votes (4-1-1).
- Staff will notify the applicant of the denial and explain options for resubmission.
- All approved certificates are subject to final inspection by city staff to ensure compliance with approved plans.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to this month's hearing of the Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission. My name is Kathy Pagani. I'm the chair of the commission. And today's date is March 11th, 2026, and the time is 5 o'clock PM. I would like to invite my fellow commission members to introduce themselves to you, beginning on my right, please. Jordan Morris. Carl Elabash. David Nelson. David Dyab. Thank you. And joining us from city staff this evening, we have Mr. Chad Hobbs, the senior associate city attorney. Mr. Zach Pons, Director of Planning, Mr. Josh McKinney, Zoning Administrator, and Ms. Cynthia DeSantiago Planner. Before we proceed to hear the applications for this evening, I would like to go over the purpose and the procedures for this meeting. The general purpose of the Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission is that we serve to preserve and protect the buildings, sites, and structures of historic significance 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 of approved applications to ensure compliance with what was approved by the commission. Our procedures this need this evening are as follows. This is a public hearing. Prior to this meeting, notice was sent to adjacent property owners, and the public has been notified of the applications presented tonight. This hearing is a chance for the applicant to present his or her case, for the public to make their views known about the project, and for the commission members to gather relevant facts about the application before making its decision. City staff will begin by introducing the application. The applicant will then have a chance to make any comments. The commission members will then have an opportunity to ask the applicant questions about the case. At the close of public comment, the commission will discuss the matter and vote on the application. A notarized designation of agent form should have been provided to city staff or any representatives of the application that are not the property owner or immediate family member of the owner prior to tonight's hearing. Immediate family members, we define that as a spouse, a parent, 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 the signs in your yard. City staff will be around in the next couple of days to pick them up. As the Historic Preservation Commission members have received the synopses of the November 2025 and February 2026 meetings, I move that we dispense with the reading of the minutes of the same unless there are any deletions, additions, or corrections. That's my motion. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you. And we shall now vote. Beginning on my right, please, Mr. Deeson. Yes. I vote yes, Mr. Morris. Yes. Uh Mr. Ellabash? Yes.
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