Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission Hearing - September 9, 2026
Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission Hearing - September 9, 2026
The Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a public hearing on September 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM, chaired by Vice Chair Jordan Morris. The commission considered six applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) in various historic districts, following design guidelines. Decisions required five affirmative votes. The meeting included staff presentations, applicant testimony, public comments, and commission deliberations.
Consent Calendar
- HPC 4626 (Ogdus Alford) – Construction of a rear porch at 2010 Glendale Gardens in the Glendale Gardens Historic District. The item was withdrawn by motion and second, with all commissioners voting to withdraw.
Public Comments & Testimony
- HPC 4226 (Joe Chastine) – Vicki Gardner, homeowner at 27 The Downs, spoke in support of the proposed front porch and rear deck. She expressed willingness to omit shutters and have French doors swing inward to improve porch usability.
- HPC 4926 (Tristan Bradley) – Cam Parsons, designated resident representative for the property owner, spoke in favor of the proposed 7.5-foot fence and temporary AC window unit. He noted the owner is willing to move the AC unit to a side window. Staff noted one public comment in support and one in opposition, though only the supporter spoke at the hearing.
Discussion Items
- HPC 3426 (Heath McCullough) – Exterior alterations at 1311 Shady Lane in the 13th Street Historic District. Proposed removal of existing dormers, replacement with a single shed dormer, new front and rear porches, replacement of vinyl siding with Hardy materials, and new windows. Discussion focused on window removal on the south elevation and dormer proportions. The applicant clarified that original windows would be retained where possible and siding would match original wood dimensions. The commission approved the application as presented (5-0).
- HPC 4226 (Joe Chastine) – Replacement of a rear deck and new front porch at 27 The Downs in The Downs Historic District. Proposed 20x20 ft rear deck and 44x6 ft front porch with French doors, shutters, and gas lanterns. Commissioners expressed concerns about the front porch's narrow width (6 ft), proportion of shutters, and alteration of the house's historic character. The applicant agreed to remove shutters and have French doors swing inward. Approved with those conditions (5-0).
- HPC 4526 (Richard Jennings) – Construction of a pool and lanai at 2401 Glendale Gardens in the Glendale Gardens Historic District. Proposed fiberglass pool enclosed by an aluminum-frame lanai with mesh screening, stone planter, and limestone pavers. Staff noted the lanai was a unique structure not specifically addressed in guidelines. Commissioners found the lanai inappropriate for a historic district, citing its modern appearance and lack of precedent. The pool and other site improvements were not opposed. Motion to approve failed; denied (2-3).
- HPC 4726 (Leo Jury) – Installation of a wall sign at 908 Queen City Avenue in the Druid City Historic District. A 26x33 in acrylic sign with stainless steel frame was installed without prior approval. The applicant removed internal illumination after staff notification. Commission found the sign compatible with guidelines. Approved (5-0).
- HPC 4826 (Leah Alexander) – Construction of a covered front porch at 1619 Allica Place in the Druid City Historic District. Proposed covering existing porch with stucco columns, asphalt shingles, and metal railing, reusing existing railing. Commissioners praised the design as respectful and consistent with neighborhood precedent. Approved (5-0).
- HPC 4926 (Tristan Bradley) – Construction of a 7.5-ft privacy fence and installation of a temporary AC window unit at 303 Queen City Avenue in the Pinehurst Historic District. Proposed horizontal wood composite fence along side property lines and a window unit visible from the public right-of-way. Staff noted guidelines recommend fences not exceed 6 ft. Commissioners objected to the fence height (7.5 ft) and material, citing precedent of denying tall fences and incompatibility with the historic district's open character. The AC unit was considered a temporary issue, but the fence was the primary concern. Denied (0-5).
Key Outcomes
- HPC 3426 – Approved (5-0) as presented.
- HPC 4226 – Approved (5-0) with conditions: remove front shutters and ensure French doors swing inward.
- HPC 4526 – Denied (2-3) due to the lanai's incompatibility with historic district character.
- HPC 4726 – Approved (5-0) for the wall sign with internal illumination removed.
- HPC 4826 – Approved (5-0) for the covered front porch.
- HPC 4926 – Denied (0-5) due to fence height and material concerns; applicant advised to consult staff on next steps.
- Staff reported 10 historic expedited review approvals since the last meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission hearing. Today is September 9th, 2026, and the time is 5 o'clock PM. My name is Jordan Morris, and I am the Vice Chair. I would like to uh ask my fellow commission members to introduce themselves starting at my left, please. David Nelson. Sorry, Dason. Wayne Yarbrough. Trisha Stone. I would also like to introduce our city staff in attendance with us tonight. They are Mr. Chad Hobbs, Senior Associate City Attorney, Ms. Megan Smalley, Assistant City Attorney, Mr. Zach Pons, Director of Planning, Mr. Liam O'Leary, Zoning Administrator, and Ms. Cynthia DeSantiago Planner. The general purpose of the HPC is that we serve to preserve and protect the building sites and structures of historic significance and interest 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. This is a public hearing. 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 his or her case, for the public to make their views about known about the project, and for the commission members to gather relevant facts about the application before making its decision. City staff will introduce the application. The applicate applicant will have the chance to make any comments. The commissioners will then have an opportunity to ask the applicant questions about the case, and I will then open the hearing for public comment. At the close of public comment, the commission will then discuss the matter and vote on the application. A notarized designation of agent form should have been provided to city staff or any representative of an application that are not property owner or immediate family member of the owner prior to tonight's hearing. Immediate family members, and that is defined as a spouse, parent, or child, do not have to provide such written authorization when speaking on behalf of another immediate family member. We want to remind applicants to remove and dispose of signs placed in the yard as staff will no longer be out to collect them. The commission members have had a chance to review tonight's agenda items. Do any of the members have a conflict of interest as defined by section six of the commission bylaws with any of these items? Seeing none, I would like to ask the staff if proper notification has been provided for each of the agenda items. Yes, it has. Make a motion. Do I hear a motion to continue? Or withdraw second? So we have a motion and a second. Starting on my right, please. Withdraw. Yeah. Yes, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. Moving on to HPC 4626, Ogdus Alford petitions for a certificate of appropriateness for the construction of a rear porch on the property located at 2010 Glendale Gardens and the Glendale Gardens Historic District, Council District 2.
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