The Board of Zoning Adjustment for the City of Homewood on July 10 denied a variance request from Greg and Michelle Gilbert to add a permeable off‑street parking pad and make landscaping changes at 208 Devon Drive.

The Gilberts asked the board to allow a permeable parking pad and repairs to a sidewalk; they said the project would slightly reduce the property's impervious area and would improve safety on a narrow stretch of Devon Drive. "The current impervious percentage is about 57%. After this, it will be 57% approximately. We actually will reduce it, the percent impervious but only by 48 square feet," said Greg Gilbert, a property owner at 208 Devon Drive. The Gilberts emphasized pedestrian safety, saying parked cars on the street and a steep slope create a limited sight distance near a route used by walking children from Shades Cahaba Elementary School.

The request drew questions from board members about stormwater and how much of the rear porch area should count as impervious. A staff member explained that a porch area could be considered pervious if it is not covered, but that a covered structure is counted as part of the house. The board also discussed the proposed permeable material, pea gravel and permeable pavers, and how the proposed pad would meet or fail the ordinance's impervious calculations near the public right of way.

No members of the public spoke in opposition; the Gilberts said the board had received an emailed note of support from a neighbor, Matt Foley. The board then moved and seconded a motion to approve the case. The roll call vote recorded five negative votes (Mister Gere: no; Miss Hand: no; Mister Johnson: no; Miss Childs: no; Mister Perkle: no). Under the city's rules, a variance requires at least four affirmative votes; the motion failed and the request was denied. "Your request has been denied," the chair told the applicants and directed further questions to staff contact Emily Harris Miller.

The applicants supplied an engineering memo and photos showing existing conditions and argued the pad would not increase runoff; that documentation remains part of the file and applicants were told how to follow up with city staff.

The denial means no change to the site is authorized by the board; the Gilberts may pursue other administrative options or revise the proposal and return to a future meeting. For questions about the decision staff provided the name Emily Harris Miller as the contact person.