Council Hears Mixed Reaction to Avenue Overlay in UDC Amendment; Carroll says overlay will enable affordable housing

The Mobile City Council opened and closed a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the city’s Unified Development Code to add Article 15, a historic "Avenue" overlay that council supporters say restores lot-size flexibility and enables affordable housing in long-established neighborhoods.

At the hearing, Reggie Hill, a member of the public, asked that the item be returned to the entitlement committee for further review, saying residents lacked detailed information about the amendment and expressing concern the overlay could be used to alter neighborhood voting populations or to displace long-term property owners. Sabrina Mass, a resident who said…