HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-2010 Planning Commission MinutesJanuary 4, 2010
Planning Commission Minutes
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The Planning Commission met Monday, January 4, 2010 at 5:00 PM at the City
Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street in the Council Chambers.
Present: Jean Wilson, Chairperson; Dick Charles, Vice-Chair; Bob Clark; Gary Moore;
Lee Turner; Jennifer Fidler; Fran Slade; Lonnie Mixon. Jonathan Smith, Planning and
Building Director; Nancy Milford, Planner; Emily Boyett, Secretary.
Absent: Tim Kant; Chris Gill, Attorney
Chairperson Jean Wilson called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. She announced
Planning Commission meetings will be recorded as directed by the City Council and the
resolution adopted on December 28, 2009. The minutes of the December 7, 2009
meeting were considered and two corrections were made. Dick Charles moved to
approve the minutes as corrected and was 2nd by Lonnie Mixon. The motion carried with
one abstention by Gary Moore.
IR 10.01 Informal Review of proposed zoning change of 860 Edwards Avenue,
Morgan Ashurst. Nancy Milford gave the staff report saying the property is located on
the southwest corner of the intersection of Greeno Road and Edwards Avenue and is
currently zoned R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential District. She stated the
applicant would like to rezone the property to B-4 Business and Professional District.
There is no immediate use for the building, but the potential buyer of the subject property
currently owns the two buildings to the south and future plans would be to continue an
office business park to flow with the existing buildings. Staff recommendation is for the
Planning Commission to provide insight and comment regarding the proposed zoning
change. Morgan Ashurst addressed the Commission on behalf of the applicant saying
they are unsure of the future use, but the applicant’s insurance company is looking to use
the building or at least keeping with that type of professional use. Jennifer Fidler referred
to the Comprehensive Plan and questioned if the Greeno Road Village Center was
already over the square footage the Comp Plan calls for. Jonathan Smith responded the
Comp Plan states 350,000 sq.ft. is the maximum but that is for retail use not office and
professional uses. He added the Greeno Road area is already over that maximum and that
is one reason why the Greeno Gayfer Medical Park was approved in 2006. Ms. Fidler
asked if this project would fall into the Greeno Road Village Center and Mr. Smith
answered yes, the Comp Plan defines the Greeno Road Village Center from Gayfer
Avenue to Middle Street. Bob Clark asked if the points Ms. Fidler made would change
the staff recommendation and Mr. Smith responded it would not. Gary Moore stated
when the Greeno Gayfer Medical Park was rezoned, it was not without controversy and it
was questioned if that was the beginning of a series of rezoning to the south. He said the
Mr. Ashurst’s request doesn’t seem that intense but it sounds like staff’s advice is that it
would be consistent to rezone the entire west side of Greeno. Dick Charles said if this
request is granted there will be a cluster of B-4 zoned property on the west side of Greeno
Rd. and if it is not approved then would this lot survive being residential and facing
Greeno Rd. Mr. Smith stated currently a single family dwelling is on the subject property
and if someone wanted to live there they could. Lee Turner stated he likes the idea of the
low impact commercial but he does see the pros and cons. He said that area is such a
problem because everyone says they don’t want it to be another Airport Blvd. but no one
January 4, 2010
Planning Commission Minutes
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wants to live there either. Fran Slade asked the applicant if they had contacted any of the
neighbors to get their feelings. Mr. Ashurst responded not yet, they wanted to get the
Commissions thoughts first. Lonnie Mixon stated if this property is going to be
commercial then this is what he would like to see, a controlled commercial and not retail.
Chairperson Wilson said she agreed with Mr. Mixon, but she would like to see some
planning for the entire area and not just one piece at a time. She stated she would not
have any objections with this piece of property being rezoned to B-4.
UR 10.01 Request of AT&T for an 11.52.11 Utility Review for the installation of
1300’ of cable and two closures, Jeff Hadley. The project will run along the west side
of Thompson Hall Road from Bay Meadows Avenue to just south of Derby Lane. Nancy
Milford gave the staff report saying the installation is approximately 1300’ of 100 pair 24
gauge cable and two 6” plastic closures. The staff recommendation is to approve as
requested with the following two conditions: 1) The applicant should work with the City
of Fairhope Horticulturist to protect the existing trees 2) The applicant should coordinate
the location of the proposed underground cable and pedestal with the developer of
Sedgefield, Phase II to ensure that there is no conflict with the entrance to the subdivision
on Thompson Hall Road. Jeff Hadley, applicant, addressed the Commission saying they
have revised the plans and have removed the above ground pedestals. Lee Turner moved
to accept the staff recommendation with the two conditions. Dick Charles 2nd and the
motion carried unanimously.
Old/New Business
Jonathan Smith announced that staff is working on scheduling the Public Input meeting
as set forth in the Planning Commission By-laws. He stated the meeting will be in
February and staff is looking at a Thursday evening. Chairperson Wilson stated she
would like an evening meeting so those interested in attending will be able to.
Gary Moore asked if Mr. Smith has been in communication with the property owners on
the east side of Greeno Road, across from the City Pool on the possibility of rezoning
their property. Mr. Smith said he has met with Dennis Frodsham and said he would
speak with the Commissioners individually to get their take on rezoning that property.
Mr. Moore said he feels it bears discussion by the Commission.
Dick Charles said he will be starting to work on the Hospital Overlay District. Dick
Charles moved to adjourn and was 2nd by Lee Turner. Motion passed unanimously and
the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:22 pm.
________________________ ________________________
Jean Wilson, Chairperson Emily Boyett, Secretary