HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-2013 Planning Commission MinutesMarch 4, 2013
Planning Commission Minutes
The Planning Commission met Monday, March 4th , 2013 at 5:00 PM at the City
Municipal Complex. 161 N. Section Street in the Council Chambers.
Present: Lee Turner, Chairperson; George Roberds, Vice-Chair; Jennifer Fidler: Gary
Moore; Dick Charles; Councilman Rich Mueller: Jonathan Smith, Planning and Building
Director; Nancy Milford, Planner; and Emily Boyett, Secretary.
Absent: Tim Kant and Bob Clark
Chairman Lee Turner called the meeting to order at 5:05 PM and announced the meeting
is being reeorded. The minutes of the February 4th
, 2013 meetin.f were considered and
Dick Charles moved to accept the minutes as written and was 2n by Rich Mueller.
Motion carried with one abstention by Gary Moore.
Mr. Turner opened the Public Input Hearing and explained this meeting is to allow the
public to voice their opinion regarding the Commission and relating to planning and
zoning issues that are relevant to the City of Fairhope.
Susan Glickman 411 S. Mobile Street -She stated concerns with the recent and
ongoing Southern Light project on S. Mobile Street. She said she was not informed of
what was going on or notified of the project. She said her property has been devalued by
the placement of a second pole and the poles are ugly. She also stated her phone line was
cut during the work and it was an extreme inconvenience and no one wanted to take
responsibility for it.
Andru Bramblett Southern Light -He addressed Ms. Gliekman's concerns saying the
existing pole belongs to AT&T and is an old pole but Southern Light will offer AT & T to
share their new pole. He apologized for the problems that were caused due to the
installation and he stated he would follow up with her in a week to let her know what
AT&T decided.
George Roberds stated a pole was placed in front of his property on Battles Road and
Southern Light did an excellent job. He said they cracked the sidev;alk and came back
the next week and repoured the section instead of just fixing the crack. He also said they
left the site in better condition than before and they were very efficient and quick.
Paul Ripp -22985 Highridge Road He stated issues with the Commission and the
number of lawsuits that the City is in due to planning and zoning issues. He referenced
lawsuits regarding the Triangle, Publix, and Fly Creek and the amount of money the City
has spent on them and he said they are projects that the residents did not want. He said
the Commission has a fiduciary responsibility to enforce their rules and regulations
across the board evenly for everyone. He said the First Baptist lawsuit is just the latest
example of the Commission turning a blind eye.
Lee Turner stated the lawsuit against the City regarding the First Baptist Church has been
dropped .
. Molly Peterson -3 ~1ershon Street She thanked the Commission and the City for the
transportation infrastructure in Fairhope. She said the sharrows, bike trails, side\valks.
March 4. 2013
Planning Commission Minutes
crosswalks, and restriping have increased safety in Fairhope and she hopes the City
continues to incorporate the Complete Streets Policy and apply it to new development in
Fairhope.
Valerie Delaney -150 Morphy A venue She stated she is with the Baldwin County
Trailblazers and thanked the City for passing the Complete Streets Policy. She noted that
Fairhope is the first city to implement a Complete Streets Policy in Alabama. She
explained her parents moved to Fairhope for the walkability and she appreciates the
accessibility for children and the elderly. She said she can go everywhere on her bicycle
now. She also added that she has seen Southern Light's vehicles parked on the Eastern
Shore Trail and she asked them to move because it is against the law and a safety issue.
Dick Charles stated the City obtained a 1 million dollar federal grant to put the green
back in Greeno and to help with traffic concerns.
Nick Coulson -102 Nichols A venue He stated he has been a resident for 21 years and
he congratulated the City on the Complete Streets Policy. He said it has enhanced the
City for both the residents and tourist and is something everyone can enjoy. He
suggested additional information should be provided to the public regarding how drivers,
pedestrians, and bicyclist are supposed to interact together with the new system.
Jane Finger 206 Fels A venue She thanked the Commission for the Complete Streets
Policy and said she even rode her bike to the meeting tonight. She explained she moved
here because of the walkability of Fairhope and she encouraged the Commissioners to
keep up the good work with the new paving projects. She provided a handout with the
benefits of Complete Streets.
Gary Gover -300 Lincoln Street He stated he is able to walk all over town because of
the Complete Streets Policy. He noted the traffic is calmer and recommended the striping
be extended all over town. He also said Fairhope Avenue and other long stretches should
be looked at for crosswalks and traffic claming devices.
Fred Hayek 848 N. Greeno Road-He stated he is a 30 year resident of Fairhope and he
has watched the Commission evolve into a professional board and staff and he is very
thankful for it. He commended the Commission for implanting the Complete Streets
Policy but said he would like to see something done with Greeno Road. He said that
Greeno Road feels cut off from these type initiatives and he \vants the Commission to
continue to try and solve the Greeno Road problem.
Lee Turner said he feels Greeno Road is the most difficult area in Fairhope to handle
because of trying to protect Downtown and not allowing it to become an Airport Blvd.
Joe Verhestra ~ 812 N. Greeno Road~ He said the City permits and allows functions that
infringe on other neighborhoods. He specifically referred to the noise, lights, and
bonfires from the trailer park, Celebration Church, and Volanta Ballpark.
George Roberds stated the City is about to revisit the Comprehensive Plan and the issues
with Greeno Road will be taken into consideration.
2
March 4, 2013
Planning Commission Minuks
Elliot Lauderdale 707 Cedar Avenue -He said he has been a resident of Fairhope for
years and he thanked the Commission for the Complete Streets Policy. He
recommended the City put the back at the crosswalks to help motorist remember to
watch for pedestrians. He also noted the AARP uses Fairhope as an example to
encourage other cities to incorporate complete streets in their area.
Charlene Lee 60 Morphy A venue She said she appreciates this opportunity to speak
and she thanked the Commission for the Complete Streets Policy. She stated the policy
makes the streets safer for all ages. She mentioned the Safe Walk to Schools and said
they are trying to make walking to school a daily activity. She said the City has made
progress but we need to continue the efforts and make walking a normal part of a child's
life.
Jonathan Smith thanked everyone for coming out. He thanked the Planning
Commissioners and the City Council for their support of staff. He thanked staff and the
Public Works Director for their hard work. He stated updates to the Comprehensive Plan
will begin this year and these comments will be taken into consideration. He also noted
other projects for this year will be updates to the City website, Low Impact Development
projects, and grants for upgrading sidewalks and crosswalks for ADA compliance.
Having no further business, George Roberds moved to adjourn and was 2nd by Dick
Charles. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting was at 6:05 PM.
Lee Turner, Chairman