Historic commission approves redesigned yard features, cites unpermitted work at 46 Sherwood Drive

The Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a revised certificate of appropriateness for work at 46 Sherwood Drive on Aug. 13, 2025, allowing a relocated bridge and koi pond, stamped-concrete walkways and a resurfaced driveway while noting the project was carried out without prior staff or commission approval.

The commission granted the certificate after staff presentation and comments from the property owner, Kim Roberts, who said changes were made to avoid damaging significant trees on the 200-year-old property. The commission approved the application by roll call, with Commissioners Matt McCool, Dr. Wayne Yarbrough, Trisha Stone, Cooper Shattuck and Chair Kathy Pagani voting yes.

The commission’s staff presentation described the modifications as a material change to a previously approved site plan (HPC 23-25) and as a violation because “much of this work was completed without HPC or staff approval.” Staff said the new plan relocates the bridge so it now spans a koi pond (previously the bridge location would not have been over water), adds an 8-by-15-foot stamped-concrete stair run, installs an 8-by-15.5-foot wooden bridge surfaced with natural stone, and creates an 8-by-21-foot koi pond surrounded by natural stone. The stamped-concrete paths are 6 feet wide and the existing concrete driveway has been resurfaced with red stamped concrete.

Owner Kim Roberts told the commission she raised the possibility at an earlier meeting that exact locations might change because of topography and tree roots and that the project team moved features to avoid damaging old trees. Roberts said she believed resurfacing the driveway to match new paths was a minor change and apologized for not verifying whether resurfacing required a separate approval.

Commissioners said they must evaluate the revised plan on its own merits, not only on how much it differs from the prior approval. Several members noted the design intent remained similar and that materials (wood, natural stone, stamped concrete) and the revised layout were appropriate for the site under the commission’s design guidelines. The chair reminded the applicant that approvals require follow-through with city staff inspections and that “should anything change” the applicant must contact staff before proceeding.

The commission cited the Code of Tuscaloosa (chapter 20, article 2), the commission bylaws and the city’s design guidelines as the standards governing the decision.

Roberts’ certificate was approved by roll call; the commission recorded no conditions other than the usual final inspection by city staff to ensure compliance with the approved plans.

The commission advised the owner to contact staff before making further changes and closed the item after voting.