Historic Preservation Commission

TUSCALOOSA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING SYNOPSIS Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 5:00 p.m. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Cathy Pagani, Jordan Morris, Cooper Shattuck, Tricia Stone, David Nelson, Wayne Yarbrough, Sonny Deason, and Karl Elebash and Matt McCool ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Hudson Chesire, Associate City Attorney Zach Ponds, Director of Planning Liam O’Leary, Planner Cynthia De Santiago, Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Pagani announced that having received the synopsis of the August 2025 meeting, the Commission moves to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the same unless there are any deletions, additions, or corrections. Hearing none, Chairperson Pagani recommended approval of the minutes. Commissioner Deason seconded the motion. The minutes were approved. Commissioner Yarbrough stated a conflict of interest regarding HPC-50-25. Commissioner Stone stated a conflict of interest regarding HPC-52-25 Liam O’Leary, Planner, presented the following items: CASES REQUESTING TO WITHDRAW HPC-53-25 Charles Spurlin petitions for a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations to the primary structure on the property located at 2012 Maxie Thomas Way in the Druid City Historic District. (Council District 4). CASES REQUESTING TO CONTINUE CASES TO BE HEARD HPC-46-25 Chaz Gunter petitions for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of windows and for exterior alterations on the primary structure located at 1506 13th Street in the Thirteenth Street Historic District. (Council District 4) Chaz Gunter, 1506 13th Street, and William Anderson, 1439 State City Drive represented the petitioner. The petitioner proposed to remove four existing windows on the primary structure. They will be covered with Hardi-Board siding. The petitioner also stated that the windows are currently rotted, nonfunctional and do not meet state and city building codes. And the windows compromise the privacy of the home. A complaint received by city staff stated that four of the windows were boarded up without HPC approval during work. Chairperson Pagani read the motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion was denied. HPC-47-25 Kim Roberts petitions for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of an accessory structure on the property located at 46 Sherwood Drive in the Sherwood Drive Historic District. (Council District 4). Kim Roberts represented the petitioner. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the petition. Chairperson Pagani read the motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion passed by unanimous vote. HPC-48-25 McCrary Otts petitions for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of an addition on the primary structure on the property located ay 403 19th Avenue Unit E in the Druid City Historic District. (Council District 1) McCrary Otts represented the petitioner. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the petition. The petitioner received approval for this project in November 2024. Due to construction delays, the granted permit expired within six months. The petitioner wishes to construct an addition to Unit E by enclosing an existing interior balcony. Chairperson Pagani read the motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion passed by unanimous vote. HPC-49-25 Kerri Wallis petitions for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a design change to the roof on the primary structure on the property located at 8 Sherwood Drive in the Sherwood Drive Historic District. Kerri Wallis, 696 Wynlake Cove, represented the petitioner. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the petition. Chairperson Pagani read the motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Commissioner Yarbrough recused himself from the proceedings. HPC-50-25 Wayne Yarbrough petitions for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a design change to the roof on the primary structure on the property located at 5 Buena Vista in the Buena Vista Historic District. (Council District 5) Cindy Yarbrough, 5 Buena Vista, represented the petitioner. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the petition. Chairperson Pagani read the motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Commissioner Yarbrough returned to the proceedings. HPC-51-25 Starsha Parton petitions for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition of an accessory structure and exterior alterations to the primary structure on the property located at 1003 Queen City Avenue in the Druid City Historic District. (Council District 4). Vance Ballard, 1003 Queen City Avenue, represented the petitioner. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the petition. Chairperson Pagani read the motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Commissioner Stone recused herself from the proceedings. HPC-52-25 James Walton petitions for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal of two trees on the property located at 2007 Maxine Thomas Way in the Druid City Historic District. (Council District 4). Jim Waltman, 3 College Park, represented the petitioner. One public comment in opposition was submitted. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the petition. The petitioner proposed to remove two mature pecan trees on the property. The petitioner states that both trees are within three feet of the principal structure. According to the deign guidelines it specifies that large trees should only be removed if they are severely damaged or pose an immediate threat to people or property. Chairperson Pagani read the motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Commissioner Stone rejoined the proceedings. OTHER BUSINESS There have been eight approved Historic Expedited Reviews since the previous Historic Preservation Commission meeting. ADJOURN Chairperson Pagani asked whether there was any other matter to be brought before the Historic Preservation Commission. Seeing none, the Historic Preservation Commission meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. ATTEST: _______________________________ _______________________________________ Zach Ponds Cathy Pagani Secretary of Historic Preservation Commission Chairperson of Historic Preservation Commission