HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-06-2009 Planning Commission Minutes 1
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met Monday,
July 6, 2009, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers, 161 N. Section Street.
Present: Jean Wilson, Chairman; Jennifer Fidler, Bob Clark, Dick Charles,
Lee Turner, Dan Stankoski. Jonathan Smith, City Planner, Nancy Milford,
and Betty Rivenbark, Secretary. Absent: Tim Kant, Fran Slade, Gary
Moore
The minutes of the June 2009 meeting were approved on motion by Dick
Charles, Lee Turner 2nd the motion and it carried with one abstention by Dan
Stankoski.
SD09.08 Final Plat approval for Liberty Way, request of Pelican
Ventures, LLC, for a 2 lot minor subdivision. The property is located on the
west side of Liberty Street just north of Pier Street at 354 Liberty Street.
Steve Dunnam was present for the owners. The staff report was given by
Nancy Milford who said the property is located in the city and is zoned R-2
containing .64 acres and two lots are proposed with each lot being 13,944 sf
in size. Ms. Milford said that she has learned there is an existing structure
located in the middle of the proposed lots and approval is recommended
subject to removal of the existing structure within six months of approval.
Discussion followed and a motion was made by Lee Turner to grant
approval as per staff recommendation with removal of structure within six
months. Dick Charles 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Smart Coast Update on Complete Streets – Jane Finger gave a
presentation and had provided handouts on an update on the Complete
Streets Program. She introduced Tedson Myers, Charlene Lee, Wendy
Allen, Ron Gibson and Brad Davis who are part of the Complete Streets
organization. She said she had met with Debbie Quinn and Rick Kingrea
and they were on board with what proposed- designing streets for all users.
She said that Debbie and Rick recommended that they come to the
Planning Commission and present information and then have the Planning
Commission recommend something to the City Council for adoption. She
emphasized that the only thing needed at this time is a policy, that we don’t
have to go into great detail but it can be adopted by the City Council and
then other things added. The importance of all this being that with the
widening of Hwy 181 we stand a chance of getting something put in the
plans regarding bike paths/walkways. Further discussion led to Lee Turner
saying that they are “preaching to the choir” that everyone on the
commission is for it. He questioned the cost to the city, would developments
still be affordable, and who pays for it? He questioned would be driving
developers away with a requirement to add these to new subdivisions. Dick
Charles told of the grant that we received to put the medians on Greeno
Road. Jonathan interjected that his department has been working
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July 6, 2009 – Page Two
on grants for sidewalks in the city. He said the subdivision regulations could
be amended to include bike lanes. He mentioned a study done several
years ago and that it showed there was a lack of ROW on older city streets.
Jennifer emphasized the streets weren’t wide enough to add walk/bike lanes
but that they had done restriping where possible. Bob Clark mentioned his
plea for an electric crossing sign at Fairhope and Section streets and the
confusion he has observed in his daily walks. All agreed we should work
with ALDOT and adopt a policy for new streets and best to implement
something now instead of later. Jonathan said he had met with Vince
Calametti recently and that he had received indication of favorable approval
for adding to Hwy 181 improvement plans. Wendy Allen said the council
indicated that something from Planning & Zoning would set the tone and that
they would welcome a recommendation. Lee asked if we should put a
committee together, with an engineer and developer. Jean Wilson said she
is hearing that the Planning Commission needs to develop something and
Wendy Allen said that we need to adopt a policy and make a
recommendation. Jennifer and Jonathan said the only thing needed in the
sub regulations is to add addition of bike lanes. Jonathan said he had done
a rough assessment of sidewalks in the city. He said we could look at the
sidewalk map, develop a route, with the main goal being to develop a policy
with the sub committee and bring back to the commission, draft a policy and
make a recommendation to the city council. The committee would be made
up of Jean, Bob, Jennifer, Jonathan and Nancy Milford. Lee Turner moved
to quickly have the sub-committee meet, report back and then have the
commission pass a Complete Street policy. Dick Charles 2nd the motion and
it carried unanimously.
Meeting was duly adjourned at 6:00 PM.