Planning Commission approves multiple subdivisions, a rezone and school modifications; sidewalk waiver granted for industrial site

The Mobile City Planning Commission on Jan. 15 approved multiple land‑use items in a single deliberation session, including subdivisions, a rezoning and school modifications.

Approvals included:
• Bayfront Subdivision (east side of Bayfront Road) — one 0.58‑acre lot; approved subject to staff recommendations and a waiver of UDC section 6.c.3 (lot depth).
• Shepherd Subdivision (1558 Luling Street) — one 0.58‑acre lot; approved with staff recommendations and a potential waiver of UDC section 6.b.9 (alley right‑of‑way).
• 401 Saint Louis Street subdivision — one 0.12‑acre lot; approved with 12 listed conditions.
• 313 (listed as 1313 in material; commissioners clarified address) Saint Louis Street subdivision — one 0.51‑acre lot; approved with 13 listed conditions.
• Ridgelawn Ravine subdivision (61 Ridgelawn Drive East / 4813 Ravine Court North) — two lots (1.62 acres); approved with nine conditions.
• Logan Cottages (1600 University Blvd S / 4217 Ezekiel St) — seven lots (1.67 acres); approved with staff recommendations, waivers to UDC 6.c.2 and 6.c.3 (lot width and depth), and an amendment to condition 12 to apply to phase 2 prior to signing the phase‑2 plat.
• Rezone at 1724 Michigan Avenue from Neighborhood Business (B‑2) to Office Distribution (B‑5) — commission adopted findings of fact (a, c, d, e and g) and approved the rezone.
• Portside Industrial Park subdivision and sidewalk waiver (4800 Rutgers Rd / Bowden Rd addresses) — subdivision approved with a waiver of UDC 6.c.7 and an amendment to plat note language regarding Alabama Power Company access ('unless otherwise granted'); sidewalk waiver approved citing industrial truck activity and pedestrian safety concerns.
• 1500 Yager Pass — subdivision (3 lots; 47 acres) and PUD modification (shared access/parking) — both approved; commissioner recusal for one member was recorded but quorum remained.
• UMS Wright Preparatory School (65 Mobile Street) — two separate major modification approvals (identified as 03572 and 003573) to add restrooms, a basketball court and a covered sidewalk; commission adopted findings of fact (a–h) and approved both modifications.

Each motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote during deliberation; commissioners and staff confirmed applicants were in agreement with listed findings of fact and conditions before approval. Several approvals included waivers or amended staff conditions as noted above.