HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-2014 Planning Commission MinutesSep temb er 2, 20 14
Planning Co mmi ssio n Minutes
The Planning Commission m et Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 5:00 PM at the City
Municipal Complex, 161 N. Secti on Street in the Council Chambers.
Present: Lee Turner, Chairperson; George Roberds, Vice-Chair; Tim Kant; Bernie
Fogarty; Bob Clark; Jennifer Fid ler; Dick Charles; Councilmember Diana Brewer; Hollie
MacKe llar; Jonathan Smith, Planning Director; Nancy Milford, Planner; and Emily
Boyett, Secretary
Absent: none
Chairman Lee Turner called the meeting to order at 5 :02 PM and announced the meeting
is being recorded. The minutes of the August 4, 2014 meeting were considered and Dick
Charles moved to accept the minutes as written and was 2nd by Bernie Fogarty. Motion
carried with abstentions by Tim Kant and Jack Burrell.
UR 14.07 Request of AT&T for an 11.52.11 Utility Review and approval of the
proposed installation of approximately 5,340 linear feet of underground fiber optic
cable, Jeff Hadley. The project wi ll run along Fairhope Avenue from County Road 13
to State Hwy. 181. Mr. Smith gave the staff report sayin g report the method of
installation will directional boring with four new handholes. Staff recommendation is to
approve conditional upon the applicant following the general comments related to utility
work as stated in the staff report. Tim Kant made a motion to accept the staff
recommendation to approve conditional upon the applicant following the general
comments related to utility work as stated in the staff report. Mrs. Fidler asked if the
applicant is aware Fairhope Avenue is being widened and Mr. Burrell asked if the
installation would interfere with the sidewalk projects. Mr. Smith responded the
app licant has been made aware of the widening and the sidewalk project. Bob Clark 2nd
the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ZC 14.09 Public hearing to consider the request of Julius Wall to rezone property
from R-4 Low Density Multi-Family Residential District to R-2 Medium Density
Single Family Residential District. The property is located at the northwest comer of
Grand A venue and Bon Secour A venue. Mr. Smith gave the staff report saying the
subject property is approximately 0.9 acres. He explained the R-4 zoning district allows
approximately 7 units per acre, whereas R-2 allows one single family dwelling per l ot.
The property is surrounded by R-2 properties to the north, east and so uth and R-4 to the
west. The applicant a lso owns the property to the n01th which is zoned R-2 . T he
applicant would like to move a common property line and this change will allow the
movement to be more consistent in terms of zoning. The property is near a flood way and
is in a major drainage area. Mrs. Fidler has commented that any construction that takes
place on the property must not negatively impact drainage or create erosion. Dan
McCrory, Water and Sewer Superintendent, has commented that sewer line easements
may be needed for surrounding homes. Mr. McCrory has a sewer line in the existing
drainage way which the applicant is aware of. Staff recommendation is to approve as
requested, contingent upon the sewer line easements being mutually agreed upon by Dan
McCrory, Water and Sewer Superintendent, and Julius Wall. Ed Wall was present for the
applicant and stated his son owns the property and could not attend due to his work
sc hedule . He explained his son wants to build approximately a 1400 square foot house
and he does not want the property zoned for multi-family.
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Planning Co mmission Minutes
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing.
Barry Corona of 411 Pensacola A venue -He asked how many houses could be built and
where they will be on the property. Mr. Turner stated this hearing is only for the
rezoning and not the location of the structures. He explained the current zoning allows
approximately 7 apartments and the proposed zoning will only allow single family
dwellings but there are 2 lots so the most that could be built is 2 homes.
Having no one else present to speak, Mr. Turner closed the public hearing.
Dick Charles made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to approve as requested,
contingent upon the sewer line easements being mutually agreed upon by Dan McCrory,
Water and Sewer Superintendent, and Julius Wall. Mayor Kant stated this is a low area
and he doubts the whole area is buildable. Mr. Smith stated the applicant will be required
to meet all of the City's construction standards and regulations. Bob Clark 2 nd the motion
and the motion carried unanimously.
SD 14.11 Public hearing to consider the request of David Richards for Preliminary
and Final plat approval of Liberty Way, a 2-lot minor subdivision. The property is
located on the west side of Liberty Street, just north of Pier A venue. Mr. Smith gave the
staff report saying the property is zoned R-2 and is approximately 0.64 acres with 2 lots
proposed. He explained the subject plat was previously approved in 2009 but was not
recorded, thus the approval has expired. Mr. Smith stated there is currently a structure on
the property which will cause and encroachment with the proposed lots and it will need to
be removed prior to staff signing the plat. Staff recommendation is to approve as
requested, contingent upon the following conditions:
1. A flow model meeting the approval of the Water and Sewer Superintendent shall
be submitted;
2. The drainage requirements for the site shall be as per the previous drainage
submittal; and
3. The encroachment on the property shall be removed prior to staff signing the plat.
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing . Having no one present to speak, Mr. Turner
closed the public hearing. Mr. Charles asked if the previous drainage calculations are
still valid and Mr. Smith answered yes. Mr. Burrell asked what has changed in the
regulations regarding drainage s inc e 2009 and Mr. Smith responded no changes have
been made since 2009. Mayor Kant stated the Commission is getting more and more
requests like this to split these lots in established neighborhoods and it is allowing more
houses which is adding to the already overloaded drainage. Mr. Turner agree d and stated
the water and drainage needs to be looked at and addressed. Mr. Smith stated the only
way to prevent these types of subdivisions is to amend the minimum requirements for the
R-2 zoning district. Tim Kant made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to
approve as requested, contingent upon the following conditions:
1. A flow model meeting the approval of the Water and Sewer Superintendent shall
be submitted;
2 . The drainage requirements for the site shall be as per the previous drainage
submittal; and
3. The encroachment on the property shall be removed prior to staff s igning the plat.
Dick Charles 2 nd the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
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Planning Co mmission Minutes
SD 14.12 Public hearing to consider the request of Preble-Rish, LLC for Final plat
approval of Stone Creek, Phase 2, a 13-lot subdivision, Steven Pumphrey. The
property is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Wentworth Street and
Stone Creek Boulevard. Mr. Smith gave the staff report saying the subject property is
zoned PUD and is approximately 4.54 acres. He stated the applicant has installed a
landscape buffer along Lot 79 and Mrs. Fidler stated she has been out to the site and the
buffer looks good. Staff recommendation is to approve contingent upon the following
conditions:
l. The applicant shall provide appropriate written documentation, signed and sealed
by the engineer of record that the pond has been updated to meet the current City
of Fairhope Subdivision Storm Water Regulations;
2. A heavily landscaped buffer in the vicinity of Lot 79 shall be installed and
approved by the City of Fairhope Horticulturist, Jennifer Fidler;
3. A performance agreement and financial guaranty shall be provided for street trees
and sidewalks;
4. A copy of the Operations and Maintenance Plan with all appropriate signatures,
seals and certificates s hall be recorded and provided to the City of Fairhope
Planning Office; and
5. The completion of a satisfactory subd iv ision final inspection meeting the approval
of the various appropriate City of Fairhope Department Heads.
Andy Bobe was present for the applicant to answer any questions.
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing. Having no one present to speak, Mr. Turner
closed the public hearing. Mr. Charles asked if staff is satisfied w ith the issues and Mr.
Smith responded yes. Tim Kant made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to
approve contingent upon the following conditions:
1. The applicant shall provide appropriate written documentation, signed and sealed
by the engineer of record that the pond has been updated to meet the current City
of Fairhope Subdivision Storm Water Regulations;
2. A heavily landscaped buffer in the vicinity of Lot 79 shall be installed and
approved by the City of Fairhope Horticulturist, Jennifer Fidler;
3. A performance agreement and financial guaranty s hall be provided for street trees
and sidewalks ;
4 . A copy of the Operations and Maintenance Plan with a ll appropriate signatures,
seals and certificates shall be recorded and provided to the City of Fairhope
Planning Office; and
5. The compl etion of a satisfactory subdivis ion final inspection meeting the approval
of the various appropriate City of Fairhope Department Heads.
Dick Charles 2nd the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
SD 12.05 Public hearing to consider the request of HMR, LLC for a 1-year
extension of the Preliminary Plat approval of Battles Trace at the Colony, Phase II,
a 24-lot subdivision, Tim Lawley. The project is located on the northeast side of Battles
Road (a.k.a. Cow1ty Road 34) where Battles Road turns to the north. Mr. Smith gave the
staff report saying the property is zoned TR and the preliminary plat was originally
approved on September 4, 2012 and only Phase I has been completed and recorded. M r.
Smith stated construction has begun on Phase II ; however, the applicant wants to make
sure they have plenty of time to finish. Staff recommendation is to approve a I-year
extension of the preliminary plat approval.
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Planning Co mmi ssion Minutes
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing. Having no one present to speak he closed the
public hearing. Bob Clark made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to approve
a I-year extension of the preliminary plat approval. Bernie Fogarty 2nd the motion and
the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Old/New Business
Comprehensive Plan Update-Mr. Smith stated the top thee consulting firms will be
giving presentations on Thursday, September 4, 2014 in the Council Chamber beginning
at 1:00 PM.
Bernie Fogarty made a motion to adjourn and was 2nd by Dick Charles.
Having no further business, the meeting was over at 5:30 PM.
Lee Turner, Chairman Emily
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