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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-1991 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met Monday February 4, 1991 at 5:00 p.m. Present: Richard Sanderson, Chairman; members Cindy McBrearty William Lucey, James P. Nix, Tim Kant, Cecil Pitman Mike Ford, Maxwell Killoch, William Richmond The minutes of the December 3, 1990 meeting were considered and duly approved on motion by Maxwell Killoch, seconded by William Richmond. On motion by William Richmond, seconded by Maxwell Killoch a request for a public hearing on re -zoning property of First Baptist Church on S. Section Street from R-2 to P-1 was accepted and will be advertised for the March 4, 1991 meeting. A sketch plan review of Pecan Trace, 27 lots being developed by George Klumpp/ Kevin Boone at the corner of Thompson Hall Rd and Morphy Ave. was looked at. Bob Lunsford had reviewed the plan and said that there were 3 things that he would recommend changes on: 1. have them re- locate manholes, 2. have them provide for easements on the front of the lots, and 3. designate easement for outfall lines. That generally it is a good plan and he would recommend acceptance. Mrs. McBrearty asked Mr. Boone if he had any problems with what recommended and he said no. After discussion, James P. Nix, moved to approved the sketch plan subject to the 3 items discussed today with the utilities moved out of the street. Cecil Pitman seconded and motion carried unanimously. At this time the Commission recessed for about 15 minutes to give the State Highway Department's representative, Mr. Jim Wilson, time to arrive. He had been invited by Mr. Sanderson to be present tonight to answer questions regarding the widening of Highway 98. When Mr. Wilson arrived the meeting proceeded with Mr. Sanderson giving the background and long time efforts extended to get this project going. Mr. Sanderson said he wished to impart to Mr. Wilson the beautification opportunities in the the design with the median where not used for a turning lane be landscaped in the urban design of curbs & gutters, and to also answer concern of what might happen to the residential neighborhood property particularly Colonial Acres fronting on Greeno Road. Mayor Nix stated we were not here to talk about the right of way tonight. He related the history and many years that this widening has been sought. That finally federal funds have been approved for the project and that it is necessary for the good future growth of the City. He related that the City Council had passed a Resolution at its meeting last Monday night which had been forwarded to the highway department at their public hearing last Friday at the civic center, asking them to proceed immediately, and if at all possible where there is a vacant median in the 5 lane highway be allowed to landscape the -median. That there is a greenbelt now along Colonial Acres and if it has to be removed we encourage them to replant it. Mr. Sanderson called on people from the audience who wished to speak - John Love said he wished to see a sound study done, if we lose the greenery put up a quiet fence. Mr. Wilson responded that in the FONSI a sound study will be done. Bill Cockrell - If they are going to have to take the trees - so be it, but can't they put something back, he is urging them to shift a few feet to the east where there are no trees. Mr. Wilson responded that they could possibly replace buffer. Mr. Cockrell also remarked that he would not object to the closing of an entrance on Hancock Road as there are people using this as a cut thru. Jean Mays - called the highway dept. and was told that trees would not be cut. She would not have put that much money into a home if she knew this was going to happen. Planning 8 Zoning Page 2 February 4, 1991 Gail Risher - lives on the corner of Hancock & Greeno Rd. Said the noise is bad. She related having planted shrubs and trees and that plans show even though she is not on the service road that they will take the width of the service road out of her property and that is not right for them to take additional footage. Carol Carr - lived in Colonial Acres 30 years, life real precious there and like to keep it that way. Joyce Hamilton - Her main concern is the buffer zone, big trees, anything they can do to leave the trees would help. Gary Moore - Said it didn't sound like it is just money on the greenbelt, is it drainage problems or engineering. Jim Wilson answered engineering. That they design for a 20 year traffic flow, that the shoulder width, drainage and backslopes are all safety factors. That they don't want trees within 30 ft of edge of pavement, and this is a consideration. That the engineering is based on safety aspects which controls design. That they can leave trees in the backslopes and that it is planned to be an open ditch until they get to the 5 lane business district then revert back to open ditch. Gary questioned whether there was a light planned for Volanta. Mr. Wilson re- sponded that he doesn't think so at this time. Mr. Wilson went on to say that he didn't understand the tree problem from the outset, and repeated again that trees back at least 30 ft from highway was ideal situation but they have always worked real close with cities; the backslopes are okey on rural highways. He said he is taking notes and that he will recommend that if the trees have to come down they be replaced. Dick Sanderson said a possibility might be to narrow the median at Hwy 104 from 28 ft. wide to 25 ft. Mr. Wilson said he will take that into consideration that the plan is not chiseled in stone. Mr. Killoch asked what do they do for road noise. Mr. Wilson replied that they put quiet fences in heavily populated areas and they are expensive. Mr. Nix said that the state has worked very well with the city on landscap- ing and feel we can work something out. �y Marjorie Lancaster - said that the trees saved her house, that a car ran off the highway and would have hit her house had the trees not been there. Another lady asked if when they take the 30 ft for the trees does that mean they take 30 ft of extra property. Mr. Wilson said that is not the criteria they use. Mr. Smith - said he had looked at the drainage ditch and if it is dug out it might solve some problems. The drainage problem at Greeno and Fairhope Avenue is one of the problem areas they will be working on and will solve with the project. Sen. Albert Lipscomb said he came just, to listen, he appreciates the courtesy of the hearing and if anyway possible would like to see them save the trees or put back. Mr. Sanderson asked for comments from the Commissioners - Cecil Pitman said he wished they would grab 3 ft. from the medium and he appreciated Mr. Wilson coming over tonight. Mr. Sanderson said he would recommend that the Commission adopt the same resolution the City Council adopted. Further comments led to William Lucey moving to approve the same resolution(in file) with an added comment about saving the greenbelt area or replace it if necessa to remove it. Mike Ford seconded and motion carried unanimously. Mr. Sanderson thanked Mr. Wilson for coming and giving us this opportunity to discuss this with him. There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.