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Tuscaloosa HPC approves multiple applications including Oakwood Court driveway and fences; several routine items passed
Summary
The commission approved multiple routine exterior projects — driveway and walkway work at 1 Oakwood Court, a fence at 1516 Thirteenth Street, a rear porch replacement at 1304 Riverside Drive, and accessory-structure alterations at 15 Audubon Place — and noted eight expedited reviews and one staff continuation.
The Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission approved several routine certificate-of-appropriateness applications Tuesday evening, including driveway and walkway work at 1 Oakwood Court, a new fence at 1516 Thirteenth Street, a rear porch replacement at 1304 Riverside Drive, and accessory-structure alterations at 15 Audubon Place. Staff also noted that one petition was continued by staff and that eight expedited reviews had been approved since the previous meeting.
Approved applications - 1 Oakwood Court (Peggy Williams): The commission approved both HPC 8-25 (construction of driveway and walking paths) and HPC 9-25 (removal and replacement of the front walkway). Staff said the proposed materials are pebble-style aggregate concrete; the driveway plan reduces a previously proposed concrete pad by a five-foot slice while widening the curb cut to align with the new driveway geometry. Commissioners recorded unanimous affirmative votes on both items and asked that final dimensions match approved drawings; staff and the applicant agreed final inspection would verify compliance.
- 1516 Thirteenth Street (Julia Gardner): HPC 10-25, approval to remove existing chain-link fencing and replace with a six-foot wood privacy fence painted black along side property lines and a six-foot black aluminum fence along the front/driveway side. Applicant Wesley Jones confirmed the new fence will be set back from the curb the required distance.
- 1304 Riverside Drive (JPM Family Investments LLC): HPC 11-25, approval to remove and replace a rear porch (19½ ft x 9 ft) with like-for-like materials (metal roof and Hardie or wood products) in the Capelwood Historic District. Staff noted materials and roof specs met guidelines.
- 15 Audubon Place (Matthew McCool / James McCool): HPC 13-25, approval for exterior alterations to an accessory structure that open a lean-to attached to a detached garage to create a covered patio, retain the existing garage window and pavers, and replace an exterior AC location with matching siding. Applicant James McCool described returning the structure closer to its original form after prior commercial use of the garage.
Votes and procedural notes Most approvals were recorded as unanimous among voting commissioners. Staff explicitly reminded applicants that final inspections must match the approved drawings and that any deviations require return to staff or the commission. Staff also reported eight expedited approvals since the prior meeting. One case (HPC 12-25) was continued by staff and required no vote at this meeting.
Why it matters The approved items are routine exterior work in Tuscaloosa's historic districts; commissioners repeatedly emphasized that the commission approves specific drawings and dimensions and that applicants must coordinate with staff if built work deviates from approved plans.
