HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-05-2011 Planning Commission MinutesDecember 5, 2011
Planning Commission Minutes
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The Planning Commission met Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 5:00 PM at the City
Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street in the Council Chambers.
Present: Lee Turner, Chairperson; George Roberds, Vice-Chair; Bob Clark; Gary Moore;
Dick Charles; Jean Wilson; Tim Kant; Debbie Quinn and Jennifer Fidler. Jonathan
Smith, Planning and Building Director; and Emily Boyett, Secretary
Chairperson Lee Turner called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM and announced the
meeting is being recorded. The minutes of the November 7th, 2011 meeting were
considered and George Roberds moved to accept the minutes as written and was 2nd by
Gary Moore. Motion carried with two abstentions by Debbie Quinn and Jean Wilson.
IR 11.02 Request of Daniel Dyas for an Informal Review of a proposed PUD
development for property located on the south side of Fairhope Avenue, just east of
Bishop Road. Jonathan Smith gave the staff report saying the property consists of
approximately 5 acres and is located in the City of Fairhope, currently zoned R-2
Medium Density Single Family Residential District. The applicant wishes to rezone the
property to PUD (Planned Unit Development) and construct approximately 40 units on
the property. Staff recommendation is for the Planning Commission to provide insight
and comments relating to Mr. Dyas’ proposal. Daniel Dyas provided the Commission
with a hand-out consisting of pictures and a brief description of his proposal. He said the
property is 2 parcels that total 5 ½ acres and he currently lives on one parcel but would
like to use the entire 5 ½ acres for the development. He stated he would like to rezone
the property to PUD and have approximately 20 lots on each parcel. He is proposing
small lots, 40’ by 70’ with 1,200 to 1,800 sf. homes, similar to Burlington Drive. He said
he would like to develop it in 2 phases starting with the eastern parcel first. Mr. Dyas
described the development as pedestrian friendly with common areas and a community
garden for active adults and small families. He said the location is convenient to
restaurants, grocery stores, and the school. He stated his proposal is a higher density than
what is currently there, but he feels it is a good location for this type of development.
Mr. Roberds stated the number of lots, the size of the lots, and the square footage of the
houses do not add up for the size of the property once the alleys and right-of-way are also
figured in. He also had concerns with the number of curb cuts this design would require.
Mr. Dyas said he envisioned one main entrance from Fairhope Avenue and access for the
alley would be from it. The Commissioners stated concerns with the accessibility of the
alleys for garbage and fire trucks. Mrs. Fidler noted the lot width needs to consider the
HVAC units and access to the front of the houses from the backyard. Mr. Turner
explained the Planning Commission only provides a recommendation to the City Council.
He said he would like to see a drawing and plan for the development. He stated a PUD is
not just to get a higher density because that can be done by rezoning to a higher density
district that fits in the area. Mr. Charles stated Fairhope Avenue is already crowded and
he asked why not just rezone to R-3. Mr. Dyas said he wants to encourage growth close
to town to help eliminate the use of a car. Mrs. Wilson said she thinks this is a good area
for high density but would like to see it scaled back to allow for a decent size lot and
house. She added it would be nice to offer a community garden and green space as a
usable area for picnic tables. Mr. Roberds suggested playing with the design and to
research the target price range and demographic and design the development to match it.
He also said to come up with something unique and different to offer. Mr. Turner said he
December 5, 2011
Planning Commission Minutes
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is not opposed to R-3 zoning here and said to look at the surrounding property, even to
the south. Mrs. Fidler said she was not sure that she could support a higher density than
what is already there because of the increase of traffic. She also stated the stormwater is
a major issue in that area. Mr. Clark had concerns with the higher density but that may
not be economically feasible to reduce it. Mr. Dyas said he would try to address the
concerns and come back with a more detailed plan. Mr. Moore stated he agrees with the
concerns of his fellow Commissioners. Mrs. Wilson said she thinks the more creative
and different a PUD development is, the better the chance is to have it go through. She
suggested making it an asset to the City. Mr. Turner said sometimes the amenities can
also increase the price point. Mr. Charles said the success of a development is not just
bringing something agreeable to the Commission but something for the public as well.
Old/New Business
Northern Greeno Road Corridor – Jonathan Smith said they are going have an update
meeting with the Mayor on Friday, December 9th.
Having no further business, Gary Moore moved to adjourn and was 2nd by Jennifer
Fidler. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:34 PM.
________________________ ________________________
Lee Turner, Chairperson Emily Boyett, Secretary