Pipes v. Adams

This is a zoning case.

Complaining residents appeal from a judgment of the Circuit Court of Mobile County granting a variance from the city zoning ordinance. The subject property had been zoned "single family residential." The trial court, contrary to a prior ruling of the zoning board, granted a variance for the purpose of allowing the operation of a doctor's office.

In its decree the trial court found as a fact that to deny the variance would work an unnecessary hardship on the subject property and to grant the variance would not downgrade the neighborhood.

The dispositive issue on appeal is…