Council approves rezoning to allow medical spa at 82130 Ninth Place South after neighborhood backing

The Birmingham City Council on Nov. 4 approved an amendment to the zoning map (Case ZAC2025-19) to change a property at 82130 Ninth Place South from QB-1 (qualified business) to C-1 (neighborhood commercial) so an operator can open a medical spa.

Zoning administrator Kim Spirole briefed the council on the site’s history and the original 1992 "Q" conditions that limited the property to a single professional office and imposed parking and site-plan constraints. She said the proposed med spa would be a "hybrid between a traditional day spa and a medical clinic" offering medical-grade aesthetic treatments and procedures under licensed medical supervision; proposed hours are Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., with approximately four employees on site.

Spirole told the council the applicant met with the Forest Park Neighborhood Association on Aug. 5; the neighborhood voted 32–0 to support the rezoning. The Zoning Advisory Committee and the planning and zoning committee recommended approval; the applicant told council members the intended work will be interior-only and will not change parking, access or landscaping.

Councilors asked about the 1992 conditions and whether the med-spa use would constitute spot zoning. Planning staff said the Q conditions’ language from 1992 effectively excluded certain neighborhood-commercial uses and that staff and the neighborhood considered the med spa an appropriate fit given the site’s prior pattern of professional offices.

The council voted to approve the rezoning after a public hearing. The applicant said no exterior changes are planned and described a pending lease for the operator.

Ending: The council’s approval removes the prior Q restrictions for this property and authorizes use consistent with the C-1 district; the applicant and planning staff will follow up on required business licensing and any interior permitting or professional licensing required for medical treatments.