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Commission continues Fifth Avenue townhome proposal after neighbors press for drainage study and developer representation
Summary
A proposal to build 19 townhomes on two lots at Fifth Avenue was continued at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting after neighbors raised stormwater and parking concerns and commissioners requested the developer or architect appear to answer detailed questions.
The Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission on June 16 continued review of a preliminary plat that would create 19 townhome lots and one open-space lot at 2820–2830 Fifth Avenue.
City staff identified one variance request; engineering had no objection, but neighbors said the application listed “NA” for a drainage study and asked why. Staff explained that subdivision rules require a drainage study only for developments of 10 acres or more, but that any construction will require a drainage report with the building permit and that the city’s land development standards require projects not to increase stormwater run‑off.
Neighbors told the commission the site currently drains toward their backyards and that recent nearby development has increased runoff. They asked for assurance the project’s detention design will not worsen flooding and requested the developer provide more realistic project renderings and sit in the meeting to answer questions about buffering, dumpster location and parking overflow during game days.
The developer’s engineer described the planned detention system—an underground chamber with inlets and an outlet control to slowly release water to the public storm drain—and said the design will both detain new runoff and mitigate some existing drainage problems. He proposed plantings and a six‑foot privacy fence along the rear to screen headlights.
Commissioners and staff expressed concern the architectural rendering submitted did not match the engineering plat in several respects (sidewalk locations, fencing in right of way) and said they wanted the developer and the architect present to clarify how the final product will be built. Several commissioners said they were willing to approve similar projects in the past but wanted the contractual and design details ironed out. The commission voted to continue the case to allow the developer and architect to attend and provide clearer, realistic drawings and drainage details.
