HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2015 Planning Commission MinutesSeptember 8, 2015
Planning Commission Minutes
The Planning Commission met Monday, September 8, 2015 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; Tim Kant; Jennifer
Fidler; Bob Clark; Dick Charles; Hollie MacKellar; Jonathan Smith, Planning Director;
Nancy Milford, Planner; and Emily Boyett, Secretary
Absent: Bernie Fogarty and Counci lmember Mike Ford
Chairman Lee Turner called the meeting to order at 5 :02 PM and announced the meeting
is being recorded.
Mayor Kant recognized Dick Charles for his 20 years of service on the Planning
Commission and announced tonight will be his last meeting. Mayor Kant thanked Mr.
Charles and presented him with a plaque.
The minutes of the August 3, 2015 meeting were considered and Dick Charles moved to
accept the minutes as written and was 2 nd by Bob Clark. The motion carried with one
abstention by Lee Turner.
ZC 15.09 Public hearing to consider the request of JADE Consulting, LLC to
establish initial zoning of PUD (Planned Unit Development) conditional upon
annexation into the City of Fairhope for Pointe Place, Phase II, Trey Jinright. The
property is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Twin Beech Road and
Battles Road. Mr. Smith gave the staff report saying the applicant is proposing 18 lots on
approximately 9.08 acres. Staff recommendation is to approve contingent upon the
following conditions:
1. The Public Works Director shall approve any proposed construction material
regarding the streets.
2. The PUD plan shall be revised to reflect that greenspace excludes detention.
3. Fences shall not impede the flow of drainage throughout the site.
4. Building height shall be measured per the City of Fairhope Zoning Ordinance.
5. The appl icant shall clearly note on the PUD plan the proposed responsibilities of
maintenance for streets, drainage, street trees, uti lities, etc., so that the obligations
will be clear to all parties involved.
6. All drainage shall meet the requirements of the City of Fairhope Subdivision
Regul ations. The maintenance of the drainage faci lities, even those in the right-
of-way, shall be the responsibi lity of the developer/HOA.
Mr. Jinright was present and explained this phase will be a continuation of phase I. He
stated they are planning to use the same LID techniques and design concepts.
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing.
Andy Lipps of 6240 and 6210 Battles Road -He asked if there will be any commercial in
this development and Mr. Turner responded no.
Having no one else present to speak, Mr. Turner closed the public hearing.
Mrs. Fidler said the bio-retention areas in Phase I look good and¾ of the areas are on
private property and that is what she likes to see. She stated this phase looks like more of
the bio-retention is on public property and we have had our attorney look at it since the
maintenance will be the responsibility of the developer and homeowners association.
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Planning Commission Minutes
Hollie MacKellar made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to approve
contingent upon the following conditions:
1. The Public Works Director shall approve any proposed construction material
regarding the streets .
2. The PUD plan shall be revised to reflect that greenspace excludes detention.
3. Fences shall not impede the flow of drainage throughout the site.
4. Building height shall be measured per the City of Fairhope Zoning Ordinance.
5. The applicant shall clearly note on the PUD plan the proposed responsibilities of
maintenance for streets, drainage, street trees, utilities, etc., so that the obli gations
w ill be clear to all parties invo lved.
6. All drainage shall meet the requirements of the City of Fairhope Subdivision
Regulations. The maintenance of the drainage facilities, even those in the right-
of-way, shall be the responsibility of t he developer/HOA.
Dick Charles t 1d the motion.
Mayor Kant asked if the detention pond wi ll be wet and Mr. Jinright responded it will be
a dry pond that will hold for 72 hours and discharge. Mayor Kant stated the area is ve ry
wooded and he would not like to see it cut. Mr. Jinright responded the applicant wants to
leave the site as natural as possible. Mrs. MacKellar asked if he knew what LID
techniques will be used and Mr. Jinright said he is still working on the drainage but most
will be bio-retention. The motion carried unanimously.
SD 15.18 Public hearing to consider the request of HMR, LLC for Final plat
approval of Saddlewood, Phase II, a SO-lot subdivision, Tim Lawley. The property is
located on the south side of Manley Road, just east of Southland Place Subdivision. Mr.
Smith gave the staff report saying the property is located in the City of Fairhope and is
zoned R-1 Low Density Single Family Residential District. The property consists of
15.75 acres and 50 lots are proposed. Staff recommendation is to approve contingent
upon the following conditions:
1. A fina l inspection that is satisfactory to a ll app li cable City department supervisors
and a ll pending final punch list items being completed.
2. The submittal of a financial guaranty(s) and subdivision agreement for any work
not completed at the time of the Planning Commission meeting. The financial
guaranty packet shall includ e th e sub division agreement, the letter of credit(s) and
the engineer's cost estimate(s) for p endin g work to be complete.
3. The Operations and Maintenance plan shall be revised to include a narrative for
the legal description and it shall also be re-recorded.
4. The GIS data shall meet the approval of Dan McCrory, Water and Sewer
Superintendent.
5. All conditions of approval shall be satisfied in a timely manner. The final plat
shall be recorded within 60 days from Planning Commission approval, per the
City of Fairhope Subdivision Regulations.
6. The Public Works Director's review and approval of the pending subdivision
items shall be obtained.
7. The current zoning shall be reflected on the plat.
Tim Lawley was present to answer any questions.
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing. Having no one present to speak, he closed the
public hearing .
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Dick Charles made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to approve contingent
upon the following conditions:
1. A final inspection that is satisfactory to all applicable City department supervisors
and all pending final punch list items being completed.
2. The submittal of a financial guaranty(s) and subdivision agreement for any work
not completed at the time of the Planning Commission meeting. The financial
guaranty packet shall include the subdivision agreement, the l etter of credit(s) and
the engineer's cost estimate(s) for pending work to be complete.
3. The Operations and Maintenance plan s hall be revised to include a narrative for
the legal description and it shall also be re-recorded.
4. The GIS data shall m eet the approval of Dan McCrory, Water and Sewer
Superintendent.
5. All conditions of approval shall be satisfied in a timely manner. The final plat
shall be recorded within 60 days from Planning Commission approval , per the
City of Fairhope Subdivision Regulations.
6. The Public Works Director's review and approval of the pending subdivision
items shall be obtained.
7. The current zoning shall be reflected on the plat.
George Roberds 2nd the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ZC 15.10 Public hearing to consider the request of Preble-Rish, LLC to rezone
property from R-6 Mobile Home Park District to R-2 Medium Density Single
Family Residential District, to be known at Winterhaven Estates, Steve Pumphrey.
T he property is located on the southeast comer of the intersection ofEttle Street and Cain
Lane. Mr. Smith gave the staff report saying the property is approximately .91 acres and
is part of the Winterhaven Mobile Home Park. He explained the applicant is proposing
the zo ning change in order to build two single family homes on two lots that are proposed
for subdivision, if this zoning change is approved. Staff recommendation is to approve
the proposed re zoning from R-6 to R-2.
Steve Pumphrey was present to answer any questions.
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing.
Harry Dodich of 309 S. School Street -He asked if this is part of a larger development
and he stated he would like to see Fels extended to Nichols to help with drainage issues.
Lawrence McIntosh of 307 S. School Street -He asked if this request will affect his
taxes. Mr. Turner stated it should not affect his taxes but that is a County issue. Mr.
Pumphrey explained they are only removing fi ve mobile homes to build two single
family homes and one house is for the applicant.
Having no one else present to speak, Mr. Turner closed the public hearing.
George Roberds made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to approve the
proposed rezoning from R-6 to R -2. Bob Clark 2 nd the motion and the motion carried
unanimously.
SD 15.19 Public hearing to consider the request of Preble-Rish, LLC for
Preliminary and Final Plat approval of Winterhaven Estates, a 3-lot minor
subdivision, Steve Pumphrey. The property is located on the southeast corner of the
intersection ofEttle Street and Cain Lane. Mr. Smith gave the staff report saying the
property is located in the C ity of Fairhope and is zoned R-6 Mobile Home Park District
with two lots proposed. The appli cant has submitted a simultaneou s appli cation to rezone
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the property to R-2 Medium Density Single Family Residenti al District. Staff
recommendation is to approve contingent upon the property being rezoned to R-2 by the
City Council.
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing. Having no one present to speak, he closed the
public hearing.
Mrs. Fidler stated there is a lot of water coming through Fels and it will be on Lot 2. She
said access is possible and the City won't have to open Fels.
George Roberts made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to approve contingent
upon the property being rezoned to R-2 by the City Council. Jennifer Fidler 2 nd the
motion and the motion carried unanimously .
SD 15.20 Public hearing to consider the request of Preble-Rish, LLC for Final Plat
approval of Planters Plaza, a 2-lot minor division, Steve Pumphrey. The property is
located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Fairhope Avenue and Courthouse
Drive. Mr. Smith gave the staff report saying the property is located in the City of
Fairhope and is zoned B-2 General Business District. The site contains approximately
10.58 acres and two lots are proposed. He stated this will be the site for the USA Cancer
Institute which wi ll come for 11.52.11 review next month. Staff recommendation is to
approve contingent upon the following condition:
1. Finished floor elevations shall be labeled on the plat.
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing. Having no one present to speak, he closed the
public hearing.
Tim Kant made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to approve contingent upon
the following condition:
1. Finished floor elevations shall be labeled on the plat.
Dick Charles 2 nd the motion.
Mr. Turner said he would like to see a sidewalk on Fairhope A venue from the Courthouse
to Greeno Road and Mayor Kant responded there is a sidewalk on the south side of the
road. Mayor Kant stated he feels like the applicant will want one on the north side as
well and he knows USA will work with the City. Mrs. Fidler stated water is an issue in
this area and the courthouse has almost had water in it during large rain events. The
motion carried unanimously.
SD 15.21 Public hearing to consider the request of Preble-Rish, LLC for Final Plat
approval of Phase lA of Greenbrier and Phase lB of Silverleaf at Firethorne, a 79-
lot subdivision, Steve Pumphrey. The property is located on the east side of State Hwy.
181 across from Bay Meadows A venue. Mr. Smith gave the staff report saying the
property is zoned PUD in the City of Fairhope. Phase lA of Greenbrier at Firethorne
consists of 34. 78 acres with 41 lots, a clubhouse, pool, playground area, and one
pigeonni er proposed. Phase 1 B of Silverleaf at Firethorne is approx imately 19 .68 acres
and 38 lots are proposed . Staff recomme ndation is to appro ve continge nt upon the
followin g conditions:
1. The Operations and Maintenance Plan shall be correc ted to provide instruction of
the forms for the 3 ponds in Phase 1, then full y executed and recorded at the time
of final plat. The O&M plan shall reflect the number of ponds and the process for
inspecting each pond. Al so, the current plan does not address the ponds in
additional phases. T he a pplicant w ill have to adapt the O&M plan to include all
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phases or update and re-record the plan as the new phases are submitted for
application.
2. All final punch list items shall be completed.
3. All sidewalks and street trees in the common area shall be installed.
4. Aerator details shall be provided for inclusion in the as-built drawings.
5. The applicant shall berm and heavily landscape the development along Quail
Creek Drive during the first phase of the development or shall submit a
performance guaranty for the uncompleted work prior to the City signing the plat.
6. All conditions of approval shall be satisfied in a timely manner. The final plat
shall be recorded within 60 days from Planning Commission approval, per the
City of Fairhope Subdivision Regulations .
7. The GIS data shall meet the approval of the City of Fairhope Water and Sewer
Superintendent, Dan McCrory.
8. All appropriate bonds and related documents shall be submitted.
Mr. Turner opened the public hearing. Having no one present to speak, he closed the
public hearing.
Mrs. Fidler said there weren't any street signs when she was out there and Mr. Pumphrey
responded they have been installed. Mayor Kant noted several issues with the site
including the berm along Quail Creek Drive not being landscaped and the roadways not
paved. Mr. Smith stated the landscaping is planned for this phase but has not been started
yet. John Avent addressed the Commission saying there were issues with the turnout
permit from ALDOT but they have been working together and the turn lane will be
completed within 60 days and the paving within the subdivision should be finished within
the week. He explained the landscape plans for the berm have been completed by the
architect and work on it will begin soon. Mrs. Fidler noted there were lots of comments
during the final inspection regarding unfinished work. Mr. Smith stated a reinspection
has been scheduled. Tim Kant made a motion to accept the staff recommendation to
approve contingent upon the following conditions:
1. The Operations and Maintenance Plan shall be corrected to provide instruction of
the forms for the 3 ponds in Phase 1, then fully executed and recorded at the time
of final plat. The O&M plan shall reflect the number of ponds and the process for
inspecting each pond. Also, the current plan does not address the ponds in
additional phases. The applicant will have to adapt the O&M plan to include all
phases or update and re-record the plan as the new phases are submitted for
application.
2. All final punch list items shall be completed.
3. All sidewalks and street trees in the common area shall be installed.
4. Aerator details shall be provided for inclusion in the as-built drawings.
5. The applicant shall berm and heav ily landscape the development along Quail
Creek Drive during the first phase of th e de velopment or shall submit a
performance guaranty for the uncompleted work prior to the City signing the plat.
6. All condition s of approval shall be satisfied in a timely manner. The fina l plat
shall be recorded w ithin 60 days from Planning Commiss ion approval , per the
City of Fairhope Subdivision Regulations.
7. The GIS data shall meet the approv al of the City o f F airhop e Water and Sewer
Superintendent, Dan Mc Crory.
8. All appropriate bonds and relate d documents shall be submitted.
Di ck Charles 2 nd the motio n a nd the motio n carried unanimo u sly.
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IR 15.04 Request of Jeremy Lee for an Informal Review to rezone property located
at 206 S. Mobile Street from R-2 Medium Density Single Family Residential District
to B-3a Tourist Resort Lodging District. The property is located on the west side of S.
Mobile Street just south of Fels A venue. Mr. Smith gave the staff report saying the
property is currently zoned R-2 and is approximately 12,407 square feet in size. The
applicant is considering applying for a zoning change to B-3a and is proposing three
high-end micro-cottages with infinity pools for guest rental. The proposed micro-
cottages will be approximately 750 square feet to 900 square feet with an outdoor porch.
Staff recommendation is to provide insight and comments regarding the proposed
rezoning. Mr. Lee addressed the Commission saying he is looking at short term rentals
and this location is perfect for it. Mayor Kant had concerns with two driveway cuts on
the lot because there are already so many in that area and due to the large number of
pedestrians. Mr. Lee responded he has looked at using pedestrian crossing signs and low
landscaping to help with visibility. Mr. Charles stated there needs to be lot protection on
the bay side and Mr. Lee explained he is not actually on the bay and there is another lot
between him and the bay. He added there are also very large trees on the property line
that he wants to protect. Mr. Turner said it is very high density on a small lot and it is on
the bluff and he wanted to know how the water will be addressed to prevent the bluff
from eroding. Mr. Lee stated an engineer will look at the site and determine what needs
to be done for stormwater management. Mr. Smith explained this project, if approved,
will be required to go through multiple lay ers of review such as Planning Commission
and City Council for rezoning, Board of Adjustments for a special exception, and
Planning Commission for multiple occupancy. Mr. Clark said this is a small parcel to put
3 units on and have room for the 6 parking spaces on such a busy roadway. Mr. Lee
responded he only anticipates one car per unit but 2 would be allowed a maximum. Mrs.
Fidler expressed concerns with going to a higher density, erosion of the bluff, and
stormwater. Mrs. MacKellar asked for the differences in lot coverage percentages
allowable for the current zoning and the proposed B-3a. She stated she loved the concept
and said it is the perfect location for the desig n. Mr. Smith said a rough calculation for a
principal structure footprint would be approximately 4,000 square feet for the current
zoning and Mr. Lee is proposing less than that with this preliminary design. Mr. Clark
asked if this would be spot zoni ng and Mr. Smith responded not really. Mr. Turner said
he likes the proj ect would have additional layers of review. Mr. Roberds stated he likes
the high density if is swapped with greenspace but he doesn 't see the greenspace in this
design. He also noted concerns with the traffic.
IR 15.05 Request of Starling King for an Informal Review of McDonald Estates, a 2-
lot minor subdivision, Seth Moore. The property is located on the south side of
McDonald Lane and west of S. Ingleside Street at the end of Worchester Lane. Mr.
Smith gave the staff report saying the subject property is zoned R-2 Medium Density
Single Family Residential District and located in the City of Fairhope. The applicant is
proposing a 2-lot minor subdivision and is requesting a waiver to the minimum lot
frontage requirement of frontage on a paved publicly maintained right-of-way. The
applicant wishes to deed a lot to his daughter. Staff recommendation is to provide insight
and comments regarding Mr. King 's request to a waiver of the Subdivision Regulations
to front a paved publicly maintained right-of-way.
Mr. Moore addressed the Commission saying the lot Mr. King would like to deed to his
daughter would be accessed from Worchester Lane which is currently be ing used by the
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neighbor. Mr. King would like Worchester Lane's use be extended to the subject
property. Mr. Turner asked what size lots these are and Mr. Smith responded one is 2.35
acres and one is 20,120 square feet. Mr. Turner said it's not fair to the owner with 3
acres when all the lots around him are much smaller. Mayor Kant said this area floods
and the neighbors will not agree to maintain the driveway and this issue need to go to
City Council. Mr. Moore stated Mr. King will sign an agreement to maintain the
driveway . Mrs. Fidler asked what the county does in these situations and Mr. Moore
responded a right-of-way is just that, the county gives permission to use it. Mrs. Fidler
stated this is a good access for the property and the City should work with the applicant.
Mr. Turner said he thinks it will improve the area.
Old I New Business
Comprehensive Plan 2015 Update -Mr. Smith stated the next deliverables are due
October 20 th . Mayor Kant thanked the Planning Staff for all of their work on the Comp.
Plan. He said they did a great job with the Town Hall meeting which had one of the
largest turnouts in attendance.
Tim Kant made a motion to adjourn and was 2nd by George Roberds.
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