Decatur BZA grants three-space parking variance for Old Moulton retail conversion

The Board of Zoning and Adjustments of Decatur City voted to grant a three-space parking variance for a proposed retail conversion at 2612 Old Moulton Road Southwest, allowing the developer to renovate a former car wash into retail space with a reduced parking count.

Applicant Ali Aswale sought a variance from section 25-16-2(q) to allow three fewer parking spaces than required for the proposed new retail building in the B-1 Louisville Shopping District. Pierrette McNally, an engineer who appeared on behalf of the applicant, said the project involves removing an existing car-wash structure and replacing it with a small retail building in the same footprint; she said the team reduced the proposed building’s square footage to reduce required parking and allow necessary drive and separation between adjacent storage buildings.

Board members and staff discussed parking ratios. Planning staff noted the applicable standard used in review was one parking space per 250 square feet for the building type cited by the applicant. The applicant’s representative said they had been working under that assumption and that specific tenants had not been finalized; the space was described as three “spec” retail units.

Public testimony closed without objection. A board motion to approve the variance “as submitted” passed by recorded vote.

The applicant was advised that any final layout, separation, and landscaping would be subject to Planning Commission and building-department review and any required permit approvals before occupancy.