Downtown residents appeal decision on Tuscaloosa sushi restaurant

An artist's rendering of Jinsei

A group of historic district residents is appealing a decision by the city's Planning and Zoning Commission that approved the construction of a modern-looking building for a restaurant.

Jinsei, a sushi and Japanese restaurant planned for University Boulevard across from the University Club, gained unanimous approval from the commission last month after officials with the city's Planning and Development Services said the plans meet all current guidelines. None of the commission members voiced any objections.

But the vote came over the protests of several residents who said the current design does not fit in with the look of the historic homes near the now-vacant lot where the Birmingham-based restaurant plans to operate.

Those residents now want the City Council to overrule the Planning and Zoning Commission's decision.

On Tuesday, the City Council is set to hold a public hearing for an appeal brought by a number of residents who live near the planned development.

In the appeal letter sent to City Hall to start the appeal process, the residents outline four key objections:

-- It violates the letter and spirit of the buffer zone requirements as specified in the Buffer Zone Guidelines.

-- It threatens the city's new plan to create a world-class corridor along University Boulevard between downtown and the University of Alabama.

-- It violates the city's zoning ordinance relating to required parking spaces and restaurant size.

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Downtown residents appeal decision on Tuscaloosa sushi restaurant