The Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission on Jan. 8 continued action on a contested application to modify a previously approved driveway and patio at 904 and 908 16th Avenue and approved five other certificate-of-appropriateness requests for exterior work across the city.

The commission, chaired by Vice Chair Jordan Morris, continued HPC 0125 at the applicant’s request after a lengthy discussion about whether a poured, continuous concrete area should be treated as a patio or as parking. Staff had said an earlier approval called for an 18-foot-wide driveway and a 4-inch step separating a driveway from a patio; the built condition removed that step and created one continuous concrete surface separated only by heavy-duty parking bumpers. Darrell Knotts, the applicant, told the commission the bumpers were installed because the 4-inch barrier “would create a safety hazard,” and that they were placed to make the space safer and symmetrical with adjacent work on 908. Jordan Morris said he was concerned about setting “any kind of a precedent” that would allow homeowners to create parking and call it a patio. Staff confirmed that, if the surface were defined as parking, lot-coverage rules would still be met. The applicant requested a continuance to propose alternatives to the installed parking bumpers; the commission voted to continue the case to the next meeting.

Why it matters: The case raises the commission’s recurring challenge of distinguishing residential driveways from parking areas in historic districts and enforcing prior approvals when work is begun without final sign-off.

Commission action and discussion (selected details)

- HPC 0125 (904 and 908 16th Avenue): Staff described the matter as a violation of a previously approved certificate of appropriateness; the applicant asked to retain a continuous concrete surface with parking bumpers rather than the previously approved 4-inch step. Commissioners asked for confirmation on lot-coverage and whether screening or alternative materials would be required. The applicant agreed to request a continuance to return with an alternative to the bumpers. The commission voted to continue the case to the next meeting.

- HPC 0225 (177 Paul Bryant Drive): Jody Barber sought approval to replace existing wood siding with fiber-cement composite siding (Hardie) in phases, citing interior water damage and ongoing repair needs. Staff characterized the work as a violation because the siding was already being replaced. Commissioners raised but ultimately set aside concerns about a slightly wider Hardie plank profile than the existing boards and noted precedent for similar replacements. The commission voted to approve the application; staff confirmed applicants must coordinate phasing and paint with city staff.

- HPC 0325 (1517 13th Street): Tuscaloosa Construction, represented by Derek Riddle, proposed replacing 11 existing wood windows with composite windows that preserve the existing size and light pattern. The commission approved the application.

- HPC 0425 (2111 14th Street): Carrie Fitz requested permission to install a 12-by-16-foot cedar pergola on an existing concrete pad to serve as a softened screening element for parking and an existing outbuilding; the commission approved the pergola.

- HPC 0525 (1707 University Boulevard): Price McGifford Construction proposed replacing existing wood window sashes with aluminum-clad sashes that match existing light patterns and color; the commission approved the application.

- HPC 0625 (60 Sherwood Drive): Jeremy Holman of Holman Contracting, representing owner Shelby Daniels, asked to replace varied existing exterior veneers and trims with fiber-cement siding (Hardie) and to remove two large trees that an arborist had evaluated. Holman said one tree had damaged a retaining wall and complicated previously installed helical piers; staff and commissioners agreed the trees’ removal was justified by site-specific structural concerns. The commission approved the siding replacement and the two tree removals.

Votes at a glance

- HPC 0125, Daryl Knox (904 and 908 16th Avenue): Applicant requested a continuance to revise bumpers/screening alternatives; motion to continue carried (continuance to next meeting). Tally: affirmative votes recorded by the chair. (See provenance.)

- HPC 0225, Jody Barber (177 Paul Bryant Drive): Replace wood siding with Hardie (phased). Outcome: approved; tally: 6–0.

- HPC 0325, Tuscaloosa Construction (1517 13th Street): Replace 11 wood windows with composite windows, same size/pattern. Outcome: approved; tally: unanimous.

- HPC 0425, Carrie Fitz (2111 14th Street): Construct 12×16 cedar pergola on existing pad. Outcome: approved; tally: unanimous.

- HPC 0525, Price McGifford Construction (1707 University Boulevard): Replace wood window sashes with aluminum-clad sashes to match existing patterns. Outcome: approved; tally: unanimous.

- HPC 0625, Shelby Daniels (60 Sherwood Drive): Replace fascia/soffit/siding with fiber cement and remove two large trees per arborist recommendations. Outcome: approved; tally: unanimous.

What commissioners emphasized

Commissioners repeatedly noted three themes across cases: (1) precedent — whether a material change or dimension change (for example, plank width) would set expectations for future applications; (2) enforcement — how to handle work already underway that differs from the approved COA; and (3) safety/site constraints — particularly in the driveway/patio and tree-removal matters, where commissioners weighed structural and public-safety implications against preservation guidelines.

Next steps and administrative notes

Applicants were instructed to coordinate final details and any phased schedules with city staff. Staff noted there were six expedited reviews approved since the commission’s previous meeting. The commission adjourned after closing business.