HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-2006 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met Monday,
April 3, 2006, at 5:00 PM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section
Street in the Council Chambers
Present: Dick Charles, Chairman; Tim Kant, Dan McCrory, Bob Clark, Gary
Moore, Jean Wilson, Lee Turner, Ed Brinson, Dan Stankoski. Summer
Woodson, Acting Planner, Betty Rivenbark, Secretary Absent: None
Chairman Charles announced that two items had been pulled off the
Agenda and would not be discussed tonight: ZC06-03 and SD06-18.
The minutes of the March 6, 2006 meeting were duly considered and
approved as written on unanimous vote. Motion by Jean Wilson, 2nd by Ed
Brinson.
ZC06.04. Public hearing to consider zoning of Planned Unit
Development (PUD) contingent upon annexation for North Village at
Stone Creek request of Pat Achee; Stone Creek, L.L.C.(Generally located
on the east side of Hwy 181 just north of Stone Creek) Summer commented
that this contained 63.61 acres and they are proposing 110 mixed use
residential units, 80 for townhomes, with the other 30 above the retail in the
development, a self storage facility, and commercial lots to the front to
contain which will contain retail, office, church, daycare and restaurant.
Staff recommendation was to approve. Robin Gregory of Volkert &
Associates gave a power point presentation and did an overview of the
project showing topography and placement of all future buildings, then Matt
Bell talked about Cty Rd 44 widening and mentioned that a 30 ft. strip along
the property line has been dedicated for future widening and ADOT has
given preliminary approval for access onto HWY 181. After the presentation
the public hearing was opened and closed with no comments from the
audience. Lee Turner asked if a pedestrian walk was planned to join this to
Stone Creek, the first development, and he was told that one was planned
through the wetlands. Jean Wilson asked how much commercial planned –
95,000 sq ft. All other questions answered satisfactorily, a motion was
made by Dan McCCrory to recommend approval to the City Council, Ed
Brinson 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
ZC06-05 Public hearing rezone request of Samuel and Elizabeth Box
from R-2 Single Family Residential to B-3b Tourist Resort Commercial
for the property located at 51 North Summit Street. Summer said the
property is located on the northwest corner of Summit Street and Magnolia
Avenue and they wish to build a two story duplex. One part of the
application says residential but the other mentions that a builder will use one
end and the other unit will be held for investment. She said even though two
other corners are zoned B-3b the commission needs to decide how far into
Planning & Zoning Commission
Page Two – April 3, 2006
the existing neighborhood commercial should go. Denial was recommended
by the staff. Dick Charles commented that he had received all 45 letters in
opposition and asked that in the public hearing portion the comments not be
repetitive. The public hearing was opened and Tom Alonzo spoke saying he
had bought the property and was planning to build a duplex and live in one
but because of the opposition he is willing to rethink his plan. Tim Hudnall
spoke saying he did not get notified and he said he is within the 300 ft.
Bob Clark asked if signs posted on the property and they were. A motion
was made to recommend denial to the City Council by Tim Kant, Ed Brinson
2nd the motion and it carried unanimously. Lee Turner remarked that we
need to look at the notification process and someone should be held
accountable.
Note: Summer read the notification requirements for general information:
Subdivision applications – notification of adjacent property owners.
Zoning Cases – notification of property owners within 300 ft., this is state
requirement, and it is the applicant who furnishes the list from information
that they are suppose to be getting from the Tax Assessor’s office. It was
noted that if the tax records are not up to date then there would be a
problem. All agreed this needed some more study as the night went on
there were more incidents noted of no notification.
SD06-05 Request of Volkert & Associates, Inc. for approval of the
Colony at the Grand, Triangle Subdivision.(Generally located on the west
side of Pinegrove Drive just north of Lots 9-13 of Lakewood Club Estates
Unit 2) Summer said this was tabled from the March 2006 meeting in order
to give the property owners and Grand Hotel time to meet again and discuss
road placement. David Clark and Jason Tickle spoke saying they had
met and come to an agreement with the property owners for the placement
of the road and they are getting a mylar drawn up and recorded. The
question was asked if the lot owners from out of town had agreed and it
was the consensus that there should be something in writing showing their
approval of what agreed on. David Clark said he would obtain those.
Tim Kant moved to give approval with all the proper signatures obtained
from the property owners of ROW purchased. Ed Brinson 2nd the motion
and it carried unanimously.
SD06.11 D’Estrehan Development Unit 2 (Generally located at the
northwest corner of Manor Blvd. and Booth Road) Summer said this was
originally approved in 2003 but if not built within two years would have to be
resubmitted so it is back before us tonight. She said it is inside the city and
is zoned R-2 and is an 11 lot subdivision. She said several waivers were
granted in 2003: the cul-de-sac street, waiving the greenspace requirement
Planning & Zoning Commission
Page Three- April 3, 2006
and allowing double frontage lots. Also, the drainage solution that was
approved was for some of the water going to the existing d-Estrehan pond
and some going to the River Oaks pond. Drainage is the main concern with
this development and her recommendation because of the existing
stormwater problem of that area was to get a second engineer to review
stormwater calculations before approval. Seth Moore represented the
developer and said that some changes had been made that the detention
now ran behind lot 60- 63 and went to Booth Road. There was some
confusion as the drawings the commission had did not match up with
what Mr. Moore was saying. During discussion the commission also felt
that they wished to get a second engineering opinion and asked Mr. Avant if
he would agree to a 30 day continuance and he said yes. Dan McCrory
moved for 30 day continuance in order to get 2nd opinion and approve same
waivers that were given in 2003. Jean Wilson 2nd the vote and it carried
unanimously.
SD04.14 Preliminary Plat approval of Tuscany Country Estates
(Generally located on the west side of Red Barn Road just south of Rio
Vista Drive) Summer said this property is not located in the City and is not
zoned. It contains approximately 72.1 acres and 58 lots are proposed. Dan
McCrory said it will be served by city water and sewer. This phase is located
on the eastern end of the property on the eastern side of the creek. Staff
recommendation was to approve. Scott Hutchinson of HMR was
representing the developer. J.C. Bishop spoke to the commission and said
it is impossible to get as many houses as planned. He further said last April
that they had 19 1/2 ft of water on this road and it was flooded where they
plan to put lots. Another gentleman who lives at the end of Holland Drive
also spoke telling of flooding in his house and this area. After all comments
made Mr. Hutchinson said he would certainly like to get with the residents
who commented tonight. All thought it would be a good idea to do this and
hold off approval. Tim Kant moved to table for 30 days and get drainage
input from residents. Ed Brinson 2nd the motion and it carried with one
abstention by Gary Moore.
SD06.15 Minor Subdivision request of Rob Campbell for approval of
Chapman Place (Generally located at the northwest corner of Chapman
Street and 3rd Street in Montrose) Summer said this property is not located
in the City and is zoned R-2a by the County. It contains approximately 1.48
acres and 3 lots are proposed. Staff recommendation was to approve.
Seth Moore was representing the owner. He said that all 3 lots are
accessed from Third Street and lot 3 in the rear will be accessed by a
common driveway. He said retention will be on each property and that
Planning & Zoning Commission
Page four – April 3, 2006
there are no wetlands. Bob Walton spoke saying he had the lot next door
and that this zoning requires one half acre minimum and two of the lots with
the driveway would not meet this requirement. He also said this division
would change the character of the neighborhood. Debbie Quinn said there
is a tremendous problem with stormwater in this area. Jean Wilson said that
the comprehensive plan calls for preservation of historic areas and this is
definitely one, do not need to start carving out pieces, whether or not it
meets requirements it is flawed. Further discussion led to a motion by Bob
Clark to delay for 30 days in order to obtain a letter from the county on this
property and more information on access to lot 3, the rear lot. Motion
carried with one no vote by Jean Wilson.
SD06.17 Minor Subdivision request of Robin Herndon for approval of
the Preserve at Sweetwater Subdivision ( Generally located at the end
of Sweetwater Circle) Summer said that not all of this property is located in
the city and portion is in is zoned R-1. A petition for annexation has been
submitted to the city and the remaining property will come into the city zoned
R-1. She said the property contains 2.40 acres and a 3 lot subdivision is
proposed. Staff recommendation was to approve. Joe Bullock of EDS
represented Mr. Herndon. He asked for a 30 day continuance due to
questions regarding the wetlands on the north side of the property. A
Carson Nicholson spoke saying she was also representing Flor Fellers
who could not be present tonight and that they were concerned about
stormwater issues as property at the end of Sweetwater Circle now floods
in heavy rain. She said they were also concerned about egress/ingress and
questioned floodwater samples. After discussion a motion was made by
Tim Kant to delay for 30 days to work out problems and get some answers
to these questions. Ed Brinson 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
SD06.19 Final Plat approval of Woodlawn Subdivision, Elite
Development, LLC (Generally located off of County Road 13 just north
of County Road 44) Summer said the property is located in the city and is
zoned R-1 non-conforming and it contains 34.40 acres and 81 lots are
proposed. Staff recommendation was to approve. Dan said that we have a
force main up to Hwy 13 but it has failed inspection numerous times and that
there is erosion that needs to be corrected. Joe Bullock of EDS was
representing the developer. Further discussion led to a motion by Dan
McCrory to approve subject to force main approval, areas disturbed for pipe
being put in taken care of, and sod put in place. Lee Turner 2nd the motion
and it carried unanimously.
Planning & Zoning Commission
Page five – April 3, 2006
SD06.20 Final Plat approval of Sedgefield, Phase One/Y.I.A.
Development (Generally located off of County Road 13 just north of
County Road 44) Summer said this property is located in the city and is
zoned R-1. It contains 39.41 acres and 65 lots are proposed. The owners
have posted a performance bond for 125% of the remaining construction
cost and a final inspection will be done before the performance bond can be
released. Staff recommendation was to approve. Joe Bullock of EDS was
representing the developer. Mark Cramton spoke saying he owns property
adjoining this property and that the boundary survey is different from what
he has. He just wanted to make sure that the trees that are there now are
not going to be cleared/cut they make a nice division. A Jennie Fair who is
also in Hunters Glen and backs up to this property asked about her
garden/landscaping and the same tree line. It was pointed out that whatever
restrictive covenants are decided on are between the property owners and
developer, that the city does not enforce these. Further discussion led to Mr.
Bullock saying that he could speak for the developer and say that these
trees would not be disturbed. Lee Turner moved to accept staff
recommendation with addition to the covenants that the trees would not be
cut. Ed Brinson 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
SD06.21 Final Plat Approval of Stone Creek Phase 1 (Generally located
on the east side of State Highway 181 just south of County Road 44).
Summer said this property is located in Fairhope and is zoned PUD and this
phase contains 69.19 acres and 78 lots. She had received a performance
bond for 125% to cover remaining construction costs. Rance Rheel
represented the developer. Staff recommendation was to approve. It was
mentioned that there was no way to access this property the streets have
not been put in. The question came up about changing our rules to at least
have the streets put in before final approval given. Further discussion led to
Lee Turner moving to approve as per staff recommendation. Gary Moore
2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
SD06.22 Site Plan Review of Olson & Associates/ Fairhope Falls, a
Village Subdivision (Generally located on the southeast corner of
Highway 104 and Langford Road) Summer said the property is not located
in the city and is not zoned. She said it is going through the Village
Subdivision process and a site plan must be approved that will guide the
preliminary plat process. Tonight they are requesting site plan approval and
a preliminary plat for Phase 1 will come at a later time. She said that this
request is contrary to the comprehensive plan in that we did not anticipate a
village out this far, however, the design and concept of the subdivision are
very much in keeping with the plan. Staff recommendation was to approve. It
Planning & Zoning Commission
Page six – April 3, 2006
was determined this property is owned by Leonard Smart. Patrick Hodges
of Olson and Associates spoke and presented a layout of the overall project
and went through its phases and said there is a mixture of lot sizes within
the subdivision, 9100 sq ft, 10500 sq ft, and 11900 sq ft. It is a 295 acre
project, 538 units are planned in the subdivision. Thirty percent of the
property would be left as open space and the Preserve at Fish River an
existing subdivision road will also become part of Fairhope Falls. The
project will have eight phases said Patrick Hodges. It will have a community
building and 110 units will be constructed in the first phase. Eight to ten
years is the completion time table. Plans call for putting the community
center in the initial phase of construction and it will have a pool overlooking
one of two existing lakes on the property. A lengthy discussion followed and
it was asked if any commercial development planned, the answer being no.
It was also stated that this is closer to Silverhill than Fairhope and the
amount of traffic that will be added to Hwy 104 by the addition of many
homes was brought out as well as the question being asked was a traffic
light planned and Mickey Hall said there will be left and right turn lanes but
no traffic light at this time. City water and sewer is planned. Jean Wilson
said she meant no offense but always envisioned growing from the city to
the outlying areas, not have one huge subdivision adjoin the city she
envisions it as sprawl and we don’t have to approve things just because they
are presented to us. Mr. Hodges said they were here by choice, they had
interviewed real estate associates and determined these lot sizes are what
needed. They have built successful subdivisions of this size in Florida.
Further discussion led to a motion to approve by Tim Kant to approve the
site plan, Ed Brinson 2nd the motion and it carried with two no votes by Jean
Wilson and Gary Moore.
SR06-02 Site Plan Review of Martin Myrick( located at Estella Drive
and Greeno Road) Summer said the property is zoned B-4 and this
building is one of three that were approved together in 2001. The first
building has been built and they are now asking for re-approval of this one.
Staff recommendation was to approve subject to horticulturist approving the
landscape plan. Scott Hutchinson of HMR was representing Mr. Myrick.
He said he had gotten with Jennifer today and worked that out. Lee Turner
moved to approve, Ed Brinson 2nd the motion and it carried with one
abstention by Gary Moore.
IR06-06 Informal Review of a proposed development located on the
south side of Gayfer Avenue just east of Greeno Road. Summer said
this property, owned by Gateway Construction Company, has just recently
been through the Planning Commission and City Council for annexation and
Planning & Zoning Commission
Page seven – April 3, 2006
rezoning to R-5 with Special Conditions. Staff recommendation was to give
input. The conditions were discussed: a maximum of 62 units, fence with
pedestrian access, proper handling of the drainage issues. Everything
seemed as it should be. Rester & Coleman represented the developer.
Input was given.
IR06-07 Informal Review of proposed development located at the
northeast corner of Section Street and Old Battles Road. Summer
said this property is owned by Point Clear Development, LLC and is
approximately 40 acres and a multi family development is proposed. Staff
recommended to give input. Rester & Coleman represented the developer.
A preliminary site plan of 27 multi dwelling units was presented and a
drainage narrative. It is proposed to have rear alleyways. Input was given.
IR06-08 Informal Review of a proposed development located on the
south side of Morphy Avenue just west of Thompson Hall Road. Rester
& Coleman represented the developer. Summer said this is owned by FST
Montrose Properties, contains 64.2 acres and a single family development is
proposed. Staff recommendation was to give input. The Commission noted
that there is a lot of water shown on the printout they had. This used to be
a trailer park and was zoned R-6 they are now planning R-2 development.
The comment was made it shows an awful lot of lots with what already is
a drainage problem(141 planned).
The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:05 PM.
____________________________ _______________________
Richard N. Charles, Chairman Betty Rivenbark, Secretary