Planning commissioners recommend denial of short‑term rental conditional‑use permit at 904 Kentucky Street

The Mobile City Planning Commission on Feb. 19 voted to recommend denial of a conditional‑use permit (CUP) for a short‑term rental at 904 Kentucky Street, concluding the application did not meet required CUP criteria in the Unified Development Code.

Property owner Joan Hendricks told the commission she had beautified the property and outlined procedures for refuse placement, saying the dumpster area would be managed "properly" and that cameras and rules for guests would prevent nuisance conditions. "We currently have beautified the area... the garbage containers will remain streamed and stored properly," Hendricks said.

Planning staff and legal advisers pointed to the CUP standard that all listed criteria must be met to allow approval. One staff member said, "every one of these listed criteria has to be met to be allowed a conditional use permit for a short term rental," and noted the ordinance’s specific measurements for refuse placement (20 feet from property line and 100 feet from neighboring dwellings) that the proposed layout likely did not satisfy.

Commissioners discussed whether a variance could address the noncompliance but were advised that a CUP must meet the listed criteria at the planning commission level or be denied and that some aspects might only be resolved by city council. After deliberation, a commissioner moved to deny the CUP, citing failure to meet the requirements of article 5 section 64‑5‑6.e.11. The motion carried on a voice vote and the commission forwarded the denial as its recommendation to city council.

Next step: The matter will go to Mobile City Council for final action; the commission’s recommendation notes the application did not meet the UDC criteria as presented.