Mobile City Board of Adjustment holds American Tower application, approves multiple signage and zoning variances

The Mobile City Board of Adjustment on Nov. 3 held over a wireless‑tower variance request and approved multiple variances and special exceptions for signage, uses and setbacks across the city.

Michael Bentley, speaking on behalf of American Tower Corporation, told the board the Old Shell Road application involves "the extension of a wireless tower on Old Shell Road near the Southwest edge of the University of South Alabama" and that during the holdover period the applicant discovered a residential property (Ivy Row) inside the required buffer. Bentley asked the board to allow a 30‑day hold so American Tower can file a revised variance and the item can be readvertised; planning staff said they had learned of the additional variance the same day and concurred. The board held the application over 30 days at the applicant's request.

The board then moved through more than a half dozen land‑use items, front‑loading matters with policy or operational impacts. Warren Robinson of Victor Stein Company said a sign project at 1720 Spring Hill Avenue remains delayed by utility relocation and ALDOT permitting; the applicant requested—and the board granted—a 12‑month extension while Spire and permitting work proceed.

Signage requests were prominent on the agenda. Hayden Oliver of Reico/Reiko Signs presented multiple variances for a new Wawa at 4125…