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Council rezones 2312 4th Avenue to allow Heidi's Kids nonprofit office
Summary
Irondale council unanimously adopted ordinance 2026‑19 to rezone 2312 4th Avenue from R‑2 to Institutional‑2, allowing Heidi's Kids to locate its administrative office there; presenters said the use will be low‑traffic and focused on packing and distributing food and support to local children.
The Irondale City Council voted unanimously on May 20 to adopt ordinance 2026‑19, rezoning 2312 4th Avenue from R‑2 residential to Institutional‑2 to permit use as an administrative office for the nonprofit Heidi's Kids.
Patty Mamberga presented on behalf of Heidi's Kids and explained the organization’s intended activities: administrative operations, occasional board meetings, packing "blessing sacks" of food for students and storing supplies. "Institutional 2 is for nonprofit or church only," she told the council, adding there would be no commercial trucks and the nonprofit would provide on‑site parking for volunteers and staff.
Teacher Valerie Agee (Irondale Community School) and resident Nick Kent spoke in support, describing the charity’s regular distribution of weekend food bags and holiday assistance for families and students, and saying the organization serves students in the neighborhood. Opponents raised questions at the planning commission about scale, appearance and whether a residential street should host a larger office; Patty Mamberga said the existing house will be removed and replaced with a smaller building set back to accommodate a 15‑space gravel parking area and that the office’s activities are primarily administrative, not a childcare facility.
Councilman Sims moved to adopt ordinance 2026‑19; Councilman Box seconded. After suspending rules for immediate consideration, the council recorded unanimous support: Councilman London—Yes; Councilwoman Arnold—Yes; Councilman Box—Yes; Councilman Sims—Yes; Council President—Yes.
The rezoning will allow Heidi's Kids to establish an on‑site office closer to the children it serves; the organization and neighboring residents said they would coordinate site setbacks, parking, and building materials to ensure the office fits the street’s character. Final permits and site work must still be completed before the office opens.
