Neighbors urge preservation of R‑1 character as commission approves Mordecai Lane lot split and PUD modification

The Mobile City Planning Commission on Aug. 21 approved a subdivision and a modification for parcels at 348 and 360 North MacGregor Avenue, but neighborhood groups said they will closely monitor future proposals and oppose higher-density changes.

Staff and the applicant said the action before the commission was a lot-line modification to separate city-owned and privately owned land, not a new development plan. "It's simply a lot line modification ... There's no current plan to do anything, any kind of changes," a staff representative said during the public hearing.

Dr. Dan Reamer, speaking for the Spring Hill Cemetery Neighborhood Association, told the commission the group is not opposing the current subdivision but warned it would resist any attempt to rezone the land to higher density. "We will be monitoring the future proposals for this piece of property closely, and we are prepared to prevent any attempt to move it from any to any other zone other than R 1," Reamer said, citing concerns about traffic and the character of the neighborhood.

Reamer quantified neighborhood concerns about peak traffic tied to three nearby schools, saying the combined morning enrollment at St. Ignatius, Mary B. Austin and St. Paul's exceeds 2,300 students and, he said, results in thousands of vehicle trips through the area during morning and afternoon pick-up and drop-off times.

Resident Dominic Broaddus, who grew up near the property, asked that the city acknowledge the site's location within Sandtown, the city's historically African American neighborhood, and suggested the city consider some commemoration if development occurs.

Commissioners and staff noted there is no immediate development proposal; the matter before the commission was a technical subdivision and modification. The commission approved the subdivision and the PUD modification subject to staff conditions and with a modified setback condition to reflect the Spring Hill overlay.

Why it matters: Citizens expressed strong interest in future land-use outcomes on a large, centrally located parcel. Though the commission approved the current administrative lot-line change, neighbors signaled they will scrutinize any future rezoning or high-density proposals.

What's next: The approved lot split removes the legal tie between the city-owned and privately owned parcels; any future development beyond the existing approvals would require separate public hearings and possible rezoning.