Board of Adjustment denies 122 Michael Donald Ave. application; approves laundromat conversion and Canopy Partners special exception

The Mobile City Board of Adjustment met July 13 and took votes on several zoning applications and enforcement updates.

The board denied the application for case 6722 at 122 Michael Donald Avenue after hearing that the applicant had not acted on a six-month rezoning window given at a prior hearing. Chair opened the item and, with no public speakers appearing, a board member moved to deny the application; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The denial ends the current application without the requested relief.

The board then considered a set of cases for the Slava Creek Parkway site, where staff said a revised site plan submitted July 10 reconfigured parking and removed a previously requested landscaping-island variance. George Coles, the applicant, told the board staff and neighbors requested relocating an east detention pond and confirmed the previously approved setback variance had lapsed. After discussing parking verification and other findings of fact, a member moved to approve the application subject to findings and the motion carried by voice vote.

On case 6765, the board approved a plan to convert a former Circle K at 2497/2286 into a staffed laundromat. The applicant, who identified himself as Joey and gave a 216 Rochester Road address, said the building has been vacant for about 15 years and that the proposed renovation will create a 2,400-square-foot laundromat with an employee on site and roughly 5:30 a.m. to 10–11 p.m. operating hours. Joey said the site shows 35 parking spaces and that, if necessary, additional spaces can be added on existing paved areas. Staff confirmed 2,400 square feet would require six parking spaces. No audience opposition appeared and the board approved the request subject to findings of fact.

Later the board took up a renewed request from Canopy Partners. Bruce Smith of CMG Engineers, representing the owner, said a prior approval from 2024 expired without permits and the owner now seeks a special exception to allow a 60,000-square-foot building in B-3 zoning where 40,000 square feet is the typical threshold. Smith said neighbors had expressed support for reactivating the site to reduce illegal dumping and encampment activity. He also requested permission to preserve and repair an existing chain-link fence with diagonal privacy slats and the mature vegetative buffer on the site rather than replace it with a new 6-foot wooden fence; Smith said removing and replacing the fence would damage vegetation the neighbors want to keep. The board approved the special exception and, after discussion about the visible buffer, approved allowing repair of the existing fence rather than constructing the wooden fence required by the newer standard.

In other business, staff updated the board on enforcement efforts against an unlawful car lot on Highway 90. Staff reported the city filed a motion for sanctions and submitted a proposed court order that would impose a $500-per-day fine beginning the day after entry and would authorize a seven-day removal notice for vehicles in the right of way, followed by removal if not complied with; the proposed order also describes a 30-day window after which the city could remove vehicles on private property if they remain. The report indicated the court asked the city to present a proposed order and staff said it had been submitted that morning.

The board adjourned after completing the agenda.