Tuscaloosa Zoning Board approves multiple short‑term rentals, grants several sign and variance requests, denies one sign variance and continues one rental overa

The Tuscaloosa Zoning Board of Adjustments on Sept. 22 approved a batch of petitions including multiple short‑term rental permits with conditions, a variance to allow a four‑story self‑storage building at 4500 Jug Factory Road, and a request to keep the Best Western freestanding sign on McFarland Boulevard; the board denied a separate request to retain a 45–50‑foot freestanding sign at 1200 McFarland Boulevard and continued one short‑term rental while the applicant addresses an unpermitted gravel driveway.

Why it matters: The board’s approvals affect neighborhood parking and occupancy limits for short‑term rentals across several districts, clarify sign rights for commercial properties along McFarland Boulevard, and permit a new storage facility that neighbors said would be screened by existing topography and trees.

Major outcomes (by case): - ZBA7325 (Wade Lowry) — Variance from neighborhood compatibility standards to build a four‑story self‑storage facility at 4500 Jug Factory Road (HC zone, Council District 7). Staff noted the proposed building would sit roughly 60 feet from an adjacent single‑family lot where code limits structures to two stories within 75 feet; the petitioner cited sloping topography as the hardship. The board approved the variance (tally: 5 yes, 0 no). Developer Robert Piper of Brookwood Properties told the board the building was sited forward on the lot to preserve rear trees and buffers and would be fully enclosed with access controls; “we've pushed our building as far up to the front as we possibly can in order to protect the … hill,” Piper said.

- ZBA7425 (Matt Calderon) — Variance from sign regulations to reuse an existing, nonconforming freestanding sign at 1200 McFarland Boulevard NE (GC zone, Council District 3). The existing sign is roughly 45–50 feet high; the code allows 25 feet. The petitioner said the parcel’s limited visibility and access from a service road are economic hardships and argued preserving the grandfathered sign would help lease the site. The board denied the variance (tally: 0 yes, 5 no). Several board members said they did not find the claimed hardships sufficient to override the city’s sign ordinance; board members urged that the property owner bring the sign into compliance or replace it with a conforming freestanding sign as development occurs. Petitioner Matt Calderone said the property was purchased in 2017 and that access and visibility had impeded leasing efforts.

- CBA7525 (Eric Hamner/Best Western) — Variance for an existing Best Western sign at 3755 McFarland Boulevard East after a subdivision would place the sign off the hotel’s lot. Staff recommended treating the sign as an off‑property freestanding sign rather than a billboard; the board approved with that condition (tally: 5 yes, 0 no). The petitioner said the split lot would create a nonconforming location for the Best Western sign and requested a variance so Best Western could continue to use the sign with an easement.

- ZBA7725 (Dion Trung) — Special exception to operate a light‑vehicle repair shop at 4115 Greensboro Avenue (GC zone, Council District 7). The board approved the special exception with a stipulation that the rear fence be screened with an approved material and that tires be stored inside (tally: 5 yes, 0 no). Petitioner Dion Trung said the business will perform tire and brake work, oil changes and limited car washing and will operate weekdays; staff asked that the applicant coordinate screening materials with the city.

- Short‑term rental petitions (multiple case numbers) — The board considered 18 short‑term rental petitions and approved the staff‑recommended occupancy and parking limits in each case, typically with conditions of 30‑night maximum stays and one‑year probation. Examples: ZBA9425 (1210 Oakwood Ave., Kristen Nolte) approved for 6 adults/3 vehicles; ZBA7825 (3821 University Blvd. E., Ashton and Brandy Johnson) approved for 4 adults/2 vehicles; ZBADash80Dash25 (1309 13th St. E., Adrian Casey Jones) approved for 4 adults/2 vehicles; ZBADash85Dash25 (2917 Narrow Lane Rd., William Brakefield) approved for 2 adults/1 vehicle (staff recommended based on driveway limitations); ZBA9725 (6817 Abbey Trace Dr., Michael Tinker) was reduced by the board from the requested 8 adults/4 vehicles to 6 adults/3 vehicles because of neighbor opposition. In one case, the board continued CBA8125 (1985 Woodridge Rd., Steven Bridal) at the owner’s request and to allow the applicant to resolve an unpermitted gravel driveway before a final vote.

Board procedure and voting: The board proceeded item by item after staff presentations; when the board read each petition aloud it then voted. Several approvals were unanimous. On the McFarland sign request (ZBA7425) the board voted to deny the variance and cited prior similar decisions to uphold the sign ordinance.

Notable comments: Petitioner Matt Calderone said the parcel at 1200 McFarland has access from a service road and that visibility has deterred national tenants, making signage critical to leasing. Robert Piper of Brookwood Properties described topographic constraints and existing tree buffers at the Jug Factory Road site and said the proposed storage facility would be “entirely enclosed” with controlled access.

Looking ahead: Multiple short‑term rental approvals carry one‑year probation conditions; renewal hearings or code enforcement follow‑up may arise if complaints or violations occur. The applicant for the Woodridge Road rental may return to the board after correcting the driveway issue or may withdraw and refile. Appeals of board decisions may be filed in circuit court within 15 days, per the board’s stated procedure.

Members of the board who voted on the items included Chair Michelle Coley and board members Mary Catherine Holt, Marty Hamner, Paul Rollins Jr. and Austin Merritt; staff presenters included Principal Planner Leota Coyne and Planner Lynn O'Leary.