By Emily Williams-Robertshaw
The Homewood Board of Zoning Adjustments approved two variances needed for owners Clayton and Rachel Mobley to begin construction and restoration of the historical Pink House property.
The exceptions allowed in the Sept. 2 meeting were a height variance for an addition to the home and pool variance.
“We sincerely thank the BZA for their favorable decision tonight, as well as the citizens of Homewood for their kind support and solidarity which carried us through to this joyful outcome,” the Mobleys, who plan to live in the house, said in a released statement. “We are so grateful to live in our wonderful community that cares about historic structures and listens to the will of the people. We eagerly look forward to getting started on our restoration efforts to preserve the extraordinary history of this property that is beloved by our family and this community.”
Plans to restore the property and build an addition required the owners to obtain two variances, both of which were rejected by the board in June.
The owners’ legal representative, Bob Fowlkes, presented an adjusted plan on Sept. 2 to the board as well as detailed explanations and answers to questions raised at the last meeting.
The adjusted plan includes dropping the requested height variance from an increase of 11.5 feet to 9.4 feet. In addition, the new plan features a pool that has been reduced in size by more than 15%.
The presentation also included the submission of signed affidavits from the Mobleys addressing board members’ concerns. Some of the highlighted portions of the statements included assurance that the Mobleys would maintain the property as their private residence and would not rent it to the public as an event venue.
In addition, trees and other vegetation on the side of the property along Roseland Drive will be maintained, with more trees planted so that the pool will not be visible from Roseland or Edgewood Boulevard.
The debate over renovating the Pink House has been going on for almost three years. The city had approved a former property owner’s plan to demolish the house and build five new houses on the property.
Public outcry was quick and a plan to raise money to save the house was launched. But the situation was resolved when a private owner purchased the house. The Mobleys purchased the home in 2020.
The house was built in 1921 by Georges and Eleanor Bridges, socialites and artists.
For more historical facts about the Bridges and the Pink House, visit the Pink House Plans Facebook page.
