Zoning Board of Adjustment
Interested in participating in a Zoning Board of Adjustment public hearing? There are two options available to provide input for consideration:
- In advance by written comment. There's no need to attend in-person. Submit written comments by email at zba@tuscaloosa.com or through the comment form below no later than 3:00pm on the meeting date. Written comments from individuals will be provided to the Board for consideration at the meeting and read into the record during the meeting for up to three minutes for each written comment. If there is a large group with similar comments, we strongly encourage one letter to be written with multiple signatures on the letter. If a large number of letters are submitted for a single case, staff reserves the right to summarize the sentiments of the letters as either for or against.
- During the meeting, in person. You can attend the meeting in-person to speak by coming to the Council Chambers located at 2201 University Boulevard. Parking is in the Intermodal Facility located at the corner of 7th Street and 23rd Avenue.
*New Speaker Limit: Those wishing to speak in favor or in opposition are both limited to four speakers each, for a maximum of five minutes per speaker. Sign ups will be first come first serve beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the meeting date.
Any individual wishing to provide supplemental information (PowerPoint, handouts, etc.) must submit the information to staff via email no later than 3:00pm the Friday before the meeting date for a Monday meeting, and 3:00pm the Monday before any special called Wednesday meeting.
Meeting Date: March 25, 2024
Legal Notice
Cases to be Heard
Ismael Tejada petitions for a special exception to allow vehicle mounted food sales on the property located at 513 Hargrove Road East. Zoned BN. (Council District 7).
Kim Roberts petitions for a special exception from the fence and wall regulations to construct a front yard fence on the property located at 899, 901, 903, 905 17th Avenue East. Zoned RA-2. (Council District 5).
Kim Roberts petitions for a variance from the accessory structure regulations to construct a pavilion on the property located at 46 Sherwood Drive. Zoned R-1H. (Council District 4).
Henry Pate petitions for a special exception to allow an automobile repair shop on the property located at 2737 McFarland Boulevard East. Zoned BN. (Council District 6).
Rebecca Brewer petitions for a special exception to operate a hair salon on the property located at 2910 7th Street. Zoned BGO. (Council District 1).
Sher-Wil, Inc. petitions for a variance from the freestanding restrictions to construct a sign on the property located at 4900 Doris Pate Drive. Zoned BH. (Council District 6).
Michaeland Julianna Hill petition for a variance from the residential setback regulations to allow the construction of a single-family home on the property located at 1214 14th Street. Zoned R-3. (Council District 4)
Ivan Blackmon petitions for a variance from the freestanding restrictions to construct a sign on the property located at 9030 Highway 69 South. Zoned BN. (Council District 2).
Karl Sodergren petitions for a variance from the minimum lot standards to allow the construction of two detached houses on the property located at 401 25th Avenue East. Zoned RD-1. (Council District 5).
Martha Hocutt petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 508 23rd Street. Zoned R-1. (Council District 2).
Alison Partin petitions for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property located at 126 Brookhaven Drive. Zoned R-2. (Council District 6).
Howard and Lori Berry petition for a special exception to allow the short-term rental of a property in a historic district located at 1508 13th Street. Zoned R-3H. (Council District 4).
History
Originally the "Board of Adjustment," the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) was formed in 1959 to hear and decide requests for special exceptions, authorize any variances from the Zoning Ordinance, and to hear and decide appeals where there is believed to be an error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the zoning officer.
Meetings
The ZBA normally holds a hearing on the fourth Monday of every month.
Hearings are held in the City Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall beginning at 5 p.m.
Subdivision Covenants and HOA Regulations
The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) by virtue of State Law and City of Tuscaloosa Ordinance does not have the jurisdiction or authority to consider, interpret and/or enforce any term or condition of subdivision covenants and/or Home Owners Association (HOA) rules or regulations. These matters are therefore not relevant areas of inquiry by the Board on any petition. Such covenants or regulations are between the private parties involved and not the ZBA. That having been said, any decision made by the ZBA on any particular case does not necessarily preclude the enforcement of such subdivision covenants and/or HOA rules or regulations by other lawful means.
Members
The ZBA consists of five residents of the city appointed by the City Council. In addition to the five regular members, two supernumerary members are appointed to serve at the call of the chairman in the absence of regular members. Their term of office is three years.
Sec. 24-192. - Membership of board.
The membership of the board of adjustment shall consist of five (5) residents of the city appointed by the city council. Their terms of office shall be three (3) years. In addition to the five (5) regular members herein provided for, two (2) supernumerary members shall be appointed to serve on such board at the call of the chairman, only in the absence of regular members, and while so serving have and exercise the power and authority of regular members. Such supernumerary members shall be appointed to serve for three-year terms and shall be eligible for reappointment. The board shall promptly notify the city council of any vacancies which occur. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term. Members of the board shall hold no other office in the city, except that not more than one member of the board may also be a member of the planning commission.
Sec. 24-193. - Functions.
The board of adjustment shall perform the following functions:
- To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged by the appellant that there is error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the zoning officer in enforcement of this chapter or any valid law or regulation governing the action of such officials.
- To hear and decide requests for special exceptions expressly allowed by this chapter, subject to the warrants and criteria set forth in article VII.
- To authorize upon appeal in specific cases such variances from the terms of this chapter as will not be contrary to the public interest, where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter will result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of this chapter shall be observed and substantial justice done.
Commission Members
Angela "Michele" Coley, Vice-Chair | Joseph A. Eatmon, Sr. | |
Linda Ford | Timothy Gilliam | Paul Rollins, Jr. |
Mary Kathryn Holt (Supernumerary) | Vacant (Supernumerary) |
Emily Hayes
Associate Director of Planning
Physical Address
Planning, Office of Urban Development
2201 University Blvd
Annex III, 3rd Floor
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone
205-248-5134Jonathan Bowen
Neighborhood Resources Coordinator
Physical Address
Planning, Office of Urban Development
2201 University Blvd
Annex III, 3rd Floor
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401