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Tuscaloosa Zoning Board OKs variance to keep newly installed directional sign on Queen City Avenue
Summary
The Zoning Board of Adjustments approved a variance allowing Control Climate Heating and Cooling LLC to retain a recently installed directional sign at 1805 Queen City Avenue with conditions to meet freestanding sign regulations, citing wayfinding and a fire marshal recommendation.
The Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments on Jan. 27 approved a variance allowing Control Climate Heating and Cooling LLC to keep a recently installed directional sign at 1805 Queen City Avenue.
Board Chair Michelle Coley said the matter was a petition for a variance from the city’s sign regulations. City planning staff presented aerial and site photos showing the sign, which staff classified as an off-site sign meeting the billboard definition and exceeding the local cap on billboards. Zach Ponds, director of planning, told the board the petitioner said the sign guides delivery drivers and customers to a workshop located behind an adjacent vacant lot and that the Fire Marshal’s Office had recommended a directional sign to assist emergency responders.
Control Climate’s representative, Davey Bishop, said the business placed the sign so delivery drivers and customers could find the rear workshop: “So the sign we kinda use for information, we have a lot of deliveries for HVAC equipment, customers coming to pay payment and, the address for whatever reason stops them out front on Queen City. And so we kind of put that sign there directing the traffic to the back to show them where we're located at.”
Board members said the alley configuration and the building’s location supported a finding of hardship. Board member Joseph Eadman said he had visited the site and supported the sign: “I definitely see the need for the sign, so I'm gonna be in favor of keeping the sign.” The board added a condition that the sign adhere to the city's freestanding sign regulations.
The chair read the motion to approve the variance with that condition and the board voted to approve the petition. The motion was recorded as ZBA-01-25, Control Climate Heating and Cooling LLC, property at 1805 Queen City Avenue, zone NC, Council District 2; approval included adherence to freestanding sign regulations.
The decision notes that the sign was installed to improve wayfinding for customers and emergency services and that the Fire Marshal’s Office had communicated a preference for directional signage. The board’s approval does not affect private covenants or HOA rules that may apply to the property.
