Council adopts two rezonings: University Boulevard East annexation to allow commercial use and Hackberry Lane rezoning for residential triplexes

The Tuscaloosa City Council approved two zoning amendments after public hearings and unanimous recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Delta Investments and Development LLC petitioned to rezone about 0.7 acres at 6950 University Boulevard East from SFR-1 to General Commercial (GC) as the site is being annexed into the city. Planning staff said the parcel is identified in the framework plan as "corridor commercial" and the annexation would be heard Nov. 4. Applicant Danesh Shamsuran told the council the store had operated for about three years and the rezoning and annexation would streamline paperwork and align with the city's framework plan. The council adopted the rezoning.

A second petition by Chase Adcox requested rezoning approximately 0.78 acres at 1431 Hackberry Lane from UC to MRU for construction of four triplex buildings. Cabins Engineering (Al Cabins) presented concept plans and said the proposal would yield about 55 bedrooms; the design includes one parking space per bedroom to meet the parking requirement and will include off-site sanitary sewer improvements and required 13D fire sprinkler systems. The Planning and Zoning Commission and staff found the rezoning conforms to the framework plan (campus services designation) and recommended approval; the council adopted the rezoning.

Both rezoning petitions were described as conforming to the city's framework plan and were unanimously recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to council action.