The Mobile City Planning Commission on March 20 voted to call a public hearing April 17 on a proposed Historic Avenue Overlay intended to support attainable housing and residential reinvestment in three adjacent, primarily residential neighborhoods: the Campground, Lafayette Heights and The Bottom.

Staff described the overlay as a targeted zoning tool to connect those neighborhoods and to allow flexible housing types — accessory dwelling units, cottage courts, duplexes and triplexes, attached townhomes and the ability to reconstruct dwellings on historical footprints — that staff says will help preserve the traditional development pattern while expanding housing options.

Why it matters

According to staff, the overlay responds to concerns about maintaining the neighborhoods’ residential fabric while allowing redevelopment that supports more affordable or attainable housing choices. The draft overlay establishes a defined geographic boundary that extends east to Broad Street and lists specific housing forms to be allowed within the overlay. The commission voted to schedule the City Council public hearing for April 17, 2025, so the public may comment before final council action.

Public hearing and next steps

The commission’s motion to call a public hearing passed unanimously. Staff will forward the overlay proposal to City Council staff ahead of the April hearing; the commission presentation emphasized the overlay’s role in the citywide affordable/attainable housing initiative endorsed by the mayor and council. Council will hold the public hearing on April 17 and decide whether to adopt the overlay.