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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-2005 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met Monday, January 3, 2005 at 5:00PM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street. Present: Richard Charles, Chairman; Dan McCrory, Bob Clark, Jean Wilson, Lee Turner, Ed Brinson, Debbie Quinn. Christopher Baker, Director of Planning & Zoning, Betty Rivenbark, Secretary. Absent: Larry Green, Timothy Kant The minutes of the December 6, 2004 meeting were approved as written on motion by Bob Clark, 2nd by Debbie Quinn and unanimously carried. ZC0S.01 Public hearing Joe Johnson for annexation conditioned on zoning change from R-1 Single Family to B2 General Business (Generally located west of Greeno Road just north of Twin Beech) Christopher Baker was asked for his comments and said that Mr. Johnson owns the property where Enviro Systems is located just outside of the city limits but contiguous. He is seeking to annex the property into the city as B2. Mr. Baker said further that the request is not in compliance with the comprehensive plan in that it represents commercial stripping out of Greeno Road. However, the property is already developed as commercial and the subdivision has been previously approved. He pointed out that by annexing it the lots will be subject to the landscape and sign ordinance. He recommended approval. Mr. Charles opened the public hearing and there was no one present to represent the owner or explain what was being proposed. The public hearing was closed and commission considered the request. Jean Wilson asked if it would not behoove the city to be able to have some control over development and Chris Baker said yes. Lee Turner moved to accept proposal and recommend approval to the city council. Ed Brinson 2 nd the motion. Bob Clark said he had a problem with approving something without someone to answer questions. A Vivian Lewis of 7937 Twin Beech Rd spoke up and asked what was planned there. No one knew and she was told if she would get with Mr. Baker he could explain how the city having some control would be better than there being no zoning and Mr. Johnson could develop any way he pleases. A vote was taken and motion carried unanimously. ZC0S.02 Public hearing to consider the request of Vince Valentim and Jack Stipes for a zoning change from R1 to B4(Generally located at the corner of Volanta Ave and Greeno Road) Christopher Baker said this is a 1 .25 acre parcel currently zoned R 1 of unusual shape. He said to the north is Volanta Park and to the east, west and south is all R1 zoning. He said this is spot zoning and his recommendation was to deny as it is not in conformance with the comprehensive plan. Mark Cramton represented the owners and said that the buyer, Sonny Nichols, wishes to build his real Planning & Zoning Commission Page Two -January 3, 2005 estate office there, Prudential Nichols Real Estate. He showed a rendering. Mr. Valentim said he is ready to sell the property. The public hearing was opened. Flor Fellers asked if the surrounding property owners were notified(they were) and Mr. Cramton was questioned as to whether there would be an entrance on Greeno Rd( the answer was no). The public hearing was closed. Further discussion led to a motion by Debbie Quinn to recommend denial to the city council as it is spot zoning. Jean Wilson 2 nd the motion and it carried unanimously. SD0S.01 Final Plat approval of Sandy Ford Phase 3, Sandy Ford Land Development Co.(Generally located east of Rock Creek Subdivision) Mr. Baker said that phase 3 contains 48 lots and is the last phase of Sandy Ford which contains 26.48 acres and is zoned as a PUD. He noted that before permits can be issued the public improvements and utilities in the street ROW must be accepted by the Council. He said everything is in order for approval and his recommendation was to approve as requested. Bob Clark moved for approval and also commended the developers for the outstanding job they had done. Ed Brinson 2 nd the motion. Debbie Quinn recused herself from the vote. Motion carried. SD0S.02 Final Plat of Arlington Farms(Generally located east of State Highway 181 North of Fairhope Avenue) Mr. Baker said this is the Klumpp Family Ltd. Partnership and EDS is representing this request which contains 11.07 acres and 19 lots. He also mentioned that they are requesting annexation as R-1 zoning. He said everything is in order but mentioned that there is a lot that is buffered by Common Area 3 and the owner will probably erect a fence to have some rear yard privacy. Anticipating that we suggested to the developer that plantings be made to maintain the visual appearance from the street, to date he had not received an answer to this suggestion. He had recommended approval. John Avent of EDS spoke on behalf of the Klumpps. Discussion followed. Mr. Avent was asked about the 20 ft. drainage basin and said this came before us before as Blueberry Orchard and the basin was changed and rotated so the water would flow to the north property line of lots 1 and 2. He said at this time the owners opted not to do anything regarding common area 3. Jean Wilson moved to approve as suggested by the Planning Officer, Ed Brinson 2 nd the motion and it carried unanimously. SD0S.03 Final Plat of Falls Creek(Generally located east of State Hwy 181 South of Gayfer Ave. Extension) Mr. Baker said this is the property where the mobile home park was located and contains 30.5 acres and they are making 62 lots. He said it is currently zoned R6 but there is a zoning change request that has been made for R2. He said that the utilities have been put Planning & Zoning Commission Page Three -January 3, 2005 underground and the developer will be posting a performance bond for sidewalks and trees. The council will have to accept the public utilities in the ROW of the streets before permits may be issued. His recommendation was to approve. John Avent of EDS was present representing the developer. Jean Wilson moved to approve as per staff recommendation, Dan McCrory 2 nd the motion and it carried unanimously. SD0S.05 Informal Review of Hidden Creek Place/Troy Wilson(Generally located south of Cty Rd 48 off of Cty Rd 9)Mr. Baker said this contains 14.4 acres and is proposed to be divided into 14 lots. He said he had sent a review letter to Vince LaCoste but no one was present to represent the owner. The commission opted to not discuss this until someone responsible was present. SR0S.01 Site Plan Review for Bay Pediatric Dentistry(Generally located on Lottie Lane) Mr. Baker said this is zoned B2 and a new dentist office is what is planned. Mark Hammond is representing the owner/developer. This came before the commission because it meets the trigger for impervious surface percentage. Mr. Baker said the City horticulturist has already approved the landscape plan that no parking lots are planned but one light in the rear that will be a down light. Further, there is not a pond with this project but a series of inlets that tie into the storm drain in Lottie Lane. Mr. Baker said this is an issue that will be resolved with the building permit as they are already meeting to discuss it. Several options were suggested for the impervious parking and drainage was discussed. Mr. Hammond was told that they had to retain their water on site, that there are already drainage issues in this area. Further discussion led to a motion by Dan McCrory to approve as per staff recommendation which was subject to a down light at the rear of the building and the tree issue being resolved before building permits issued. Ed Brinson 2 nd the motion and it carried unanimously. Bob Clark commented that he had driven out to Huntington and that it looked like a war zone. Chris Baker said they are trying to get the streets accepted by the city but it was pulled off the agenda and that they are communicating back and forth to get it resolved. Mr. Clark's observation was also the city's observation.