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Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission approves three certificates, fails to approve porch post replacement
Summary
At its March 11 meeting the Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission approved certificates of appropriateness for an accessory shed at 16 Buena Vista, a patio roof at 27 University Circle, and exterior alterations at 1400 Cablewood Drive; it did not approve replacement of cast-iron porch posts at 2007 Maxi Thomas Way after failing to obtain five affirmative votes.
Kathy Pagani, chair of the Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission, opened the March 11, 2026 meeting and reviewed the commission’s role and the five-vote threshold required to approve certificates of appropriateness.
The commission approved three applications and declined one. Members voted to grant a certificate for HPC0826, allowing a 16-by-10-foot accessory shed at 16 Buena Vista in the Buena Vista Historic District; to grant HPC0926, allowing a standing-seam metal roof, rock support columns and ventilation work for a rear patio at 27 University Circle in the University Circle Historic District; and to grant HPC1026, allowing exterior alterations, a new exterior staircase and a rear deck at 1400 Cablewood Drive in the Cablewood Historic District. The commission did not approve HPC0726, which sought to replace two existing cast-iron porch supports with painted, pressure-treated wooden posts at 2007 Maxi Thomas Way in the Druid City Historic District, because it did not receive the required five affirmative votes.
In the first approved matter, staff described the proposed accessory structure at 16 Buena Vista as a 16x10-foot shed sited about 8 feet from a side property line, with LP SmartSide vertical siding (an engineered wood-composite product), plywood flooring and asphalt shingles to match the primary structure. The applicant, Jackie Wescaw, told the commission she had researched contractors and selected the firm that responded promptly. The roll-call vote recorded one abstention (Miss Stone) and the rest of the members voting yes; staff reminded the applicant that a final inspection by city staff will verify compliance with the approved plans.
On HPC0926, commissioners and staff discussed whether stone columns and an arch visible on the property had previously been reviewed. Staff said the stone arch and columns were included on prior drawings and that the arch and stone had been approved in 2024, but staff said they would verify records. Despite questions about the columns’ fit with the University Circle streetscape, the commission approved the application after a roll-call vote.
For HPC1026, applicant Price McGiffford described the project as partly safety-driven: adding an exterior staircase and a deck to provide a second exit and replacing deteriorated windows. Staff presented drawings showing nine new PVC windows, a new 3x6-foot exterior staircase addition with brick foundation and a 16x3-foot rear wooden deck. The commission voted to approve the application; staff again reminded the applicant to consult city staff before implementing changes beyond what was approved and noted the city’s final inspection requirement.
On HPC0726, the commission considered replacing two cast-iron porch supports with wooden rectangular posts painted white. Miss Stone recused herself from that case. During the roll call Dr. David Nelson abstained and Mr. Dab voted no, leaving fewer than the five affirmative votes required for approval. Commission staff said they would notify the applicant, Jim Waltman, about options to move the application forward.
The commission dispensed with reading minutes from prior meetings at the start of the session, received no in-person public comments on the cases heard, and adjourned at the close of business. Staff will post the recorded hearing and updated meeting materials on the city’s website and perform final inspections on approved projects before they are permitted to proceed.
