City Council moves to condemn two derelict properties amid rezoning proposals

The Tuscaloosa Pre-Council Briefing on July 1, 2025, focused on several key property issues, including the condemnation of two properties and proposed rezonings for new developments.

The first property discussed was located at 1308 Royal Oaks Court, which has remained untouched since a fire in April of the previous year. City officials noted that the owners have not responded to outreach efforts regarding the property's status. A motion was made to proceed with condemnation, allowing the owners an opportunity to present a plan if they choose to do so.

The second property, at 52020 Fifth Avenue East, has a permit pulled by the owner who expressed intentions to restore the house. However, city officials reported no visible progress on the property, prompting ongoing complaints from the community. The owner was encouraged to attend the council meeting to address the situation.

In addition to these properties, the council reviewed two significant rezonings for a development on 132230 First Avenue East. The first part involves rezoning a larger portion of land from Single Family Residential (SFR) 1 to SFR 2, which will create 51 of the total 65 lots for new homes. These homes are expected to range from 1,300 square feet and priced between $275,000 and $325,000. The second part of the rezoning will allow for 14 additional homes under SFR 3 regulations, which will be denser than the previous zoning.

Lastly, a proposal to rezone 1720 Third Avenue East from SFR 1 to SFR 5 was discussed. This change will facilitate the construction of a 30-unit duplex residential development, consisting of 15 duplex structures. Each duplex will occupy two combined lots, allowing for separate ownership of each unit.

The council's discussions reflect ongoing efforts to address property maintenance issues and support new housing developments in Tuscaloosa, with unanimous recommendations for the rezonings indicating community support for the proposed changes.