BZA grants variances to allow historic Townsend duplex to be converted to single-family home

The Birmingham City Board of Zoning Appeals voted to grant dimensional variances for 504 Townsend, a historic property known in the record as the Hostin Logan House, allowing the owners to convert the former duplex into a single-family home and build an addition tied to plans submitted to the board.

City staff explained the case and said the project received a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic District Commission on 06/03/2026. Staff identified three required variances under the R3 single-family standards triggered by the owners’ proposal: a 3.3-foot reduction in the required distance between principal residential buildings (proposed 16.2 ft vs. required 19.5 ft), a 10-foot variance for a 20-foot rear-yard setback where 30 feet is required, and roughly a 10.1-foot variance for combined front-and-rear setbacks (proposed 44.9 ft vs. required 55 ft). The addition was described in the plans as about 1,000 square feet.

Mia Gordon, the petitioner and owner of 504 Townsend Street, told the board she and her husband purchased the rundown duplex to preserve the historic home and to raise a family there. “We stepped in to save this historic home from extreme overdevelopment,” Gordon said, describing the design as modest and reviewed by the Historic District Commission. She said the plan includes a modest kitchen, an additional bedroom and a two-car garage sized to leave a small backyard.

Board members questioned whether the variances would impair the neighbors’ ability to use their properties and whether the site would be governed by R8 multifamily rules (which have smaller setbacks) or by R3 single-family rules. Staff clarified the conversion to single-family triggers R3 standards, which is why the variances were required despite adjacent properties having been developed to R8 standards. The architect explained the team reduced some room dimensions at the HDC’s request and pulled the addition back to preserve the house’s front gable.

A neighbor, Anne Feldman of 505 Townsend, spoke in favor of the project, saying the addition preserves the visible historic façade and improves a deteriorating detached garage. After public comment the board moved to approve the variances tied to the submitted plans; the chair announced the motion carried and the variance was granted.

The board tied approval to the plans on file, which include demolition of the existing failing garage and the addition as presented. The owners and the city staff were advised to follow up on plan details and any minor adjustments with the building department.

The appeal was recorded as approved by roll-call; the board’s motion was tied to the submitted plans and conditions noted in the HDC certificate of appropriateness.