Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission convened at 5:00 PM on October 14, 2026, chaired by Kathy Pagani. The commission approved synopses from previous meetings and noted a conflict of interest. Thirteen applications for Certificates of Appropriateness were considered, each involving proposed alterations or new construction in historic districts. All applications were approved unanimously, several with conditions to align with design guidelines. No public comments were offered.
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to this month's hearing of the Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission. My name is Kathy Pagani, and I am the chair of the Commission. Today's date is October 14th, 2026, and the time is 5 o'clock PM. I'd like to ask my fellow commission members to introduce themselves to you, beginning on my right, please. Wayne Yarburg. David Dyeb. Jordan Morris. David Nelson. Carl Ellabash. Thank you very much. And joining us from city staff this evening, we have Mr. Hudson Cheshire, the Associate City Attorney, Ms. Megan Smalley, Assistant City Attorney, Mr. Liam O'Leary, Zoning Administrator, and Ms. Cynthia DeSantiago, the planner. Before we hear our cases tonight, I'd like to go over the statement of 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 structures of historic significance in Tuscaloosa's historic neighborhoods. We are govern 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 such things as 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 an inspection by city staff of approved applications to ensure compliance with what was approved by the commission this evening. This is a public hearing. It is televised live on local cable, streamlined 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 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. City staff will begin by introducing the application. The applicant will then have a chance to make any comments. The commissioners will then have an opportunity to ask the applicant 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 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 remove and dispose of signs in the yard as staff will not be out to collect them. Commission members. Any changes? Do I have a second on that motion? Second. Thank you. And we shall vote on that beginning with Dr. Yarbrough, please. Yes. Mr. Dyab? Present. Okay. Abstain. I vote yes, Mr. Morris. Yes.