Board renews variance for tall shipbuilding buildings at Mobile Navy Yard; applicant to begin site work

The Mobile City Board of Adjustment approved renewed variances for industrial buildings exceeding the city’s typical 100-foot height limit at the Mobile Navy Yard site (addresses listed in the application packet, including 660 Dunlap Drive). The applicant said the request renews a prior approval that expired.

Joey Nunley, speaking for the applicant, explained the long-term shipbuilding project requires high bays to fabricate modular sections for naval and coast-guard vessels. He described two new buildings: one approximately 125 to 160 feet tall (applicant gave both target and plan heights), and another with a height in the 125–160 foot range; the tallest facility would be used for larger surface-ship modules and is sited adjacent to a new ship lift the applicant plans to use for launching and retrieving vessels.

The applicant said site civil work and early land disturbance permits have already begun on the south lot and that building construction would begin in three to four months on the first building and shortly thereafter on the second. The applicant said dredging of the slip for the ship lift would be about 60 feet deep.

Board members noted that this is a renewal of a prior approval that expired after six months; the applicant said the lapse was unintentional. The board approved the renewed height variances and related site approvals and encouraged the applicant to proceed promptly so approvals do not lapse again.

The board’s vote carried with no recorded opposition. Staff noted future applications may follow for signage and other site features.