The Board of Adjustment of the City of Mobile voted on July 7 to extend time for a nonconforming-structure rebuild at 1201 Paper Mill Road following a catastrophic fire in July 2023.

Jay Watkins of Maynard Nexon, representing Merchants Transfer Company and Woodlands Building, told the board the warehouse — about 325,000 square feet before demolition — had been rebuilt in the same footprint and was roughly 92% complete. He said weather delays had affected work and the applicant requested a four-month extension to obtain a certificate of occupancy to preserve the site's nonconforming status under city ordinance. “It's anticipated that by the nineteenth, they'll be at about 94 or 95% complete,” Watkins said.

City rules referenced by counsel require that a nonconforming structure where construction commenced within one year must be completed within two years; the fire occurred on July 19, 2023. The applicant sought additional time to finish remaining work and obtain final inspections.

The board considered the request and a motion was made to extend the approval for six months; the motion carried with the members present voting in favor. The extension allows the owner additional time to secure the certificate of occupancy while retaining nonconforming‑structure protections under the ordinance.

Staff advised applicants to coordinate final inspections with the building department; appeals of board action may be taken to the circuit court.