HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-06-2004 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met July 6, 2004
at 5:OOPM at the City Municipal Complex, 161 N. Section Street.
Present: R.N. Charles, Chairman; Tim Kant, Dan McCrory, Larry Green,
Lee Turner, Bob Clark, Mike Ford. Christopher Baker, Director of Planning &
Zoning and Betty Rivenbark, Secretary. Ed Brinson and Jean Wilson were
absent.
The minutes of the June meeting were considered and approved as
amended on motion by Larry Green, 2Id by Dan McCrory and unanimously
carried.
SR04.04 Site Plan Approval — Betty Rejczyk for a Bed & Breakfast at
Fels and S. Mobile Street(Generally located at the old Forsman home site)
Mr. Baker said this is property that was recently rezoned from R2 to 133A
and initial plans showed at 34.8' building but they were informed that there is
a 30' height limit. He said further that off-street parking is being provided
and will be shielded by landscaping. His recommendation was to approve
subject to meeting the building height and providing evergreen barrier
adjacent to city park where the parking lot is located. Dan Michaels spoke
for Ms. Rejczyk and said their new plans show height at 29.10'. Larry Green
moved to approve as per staff recommendation. Lee Turner 2"d the motion
and it carried unanimously.
SD04.35 Preliminary Plat of Magnolia Place/Doug Harless (Generally
located north of Gayfer Avenue extension across from White Grove)
Mr. Baker said Mr. Harless has an option on this 20.3 acre parcel outside
the city that is not zoned. This was tabled at the June meeting to get some
answers on drainage. Staff sent the engineering out for review to
Thompson Engineering and the report was attached with commission
papers. He mentioned that the review came back with a positive report as to
what was proposed. In his recommendation he said that the Commission
should be wary of stormwater pumps and pump should be included in the
required bond and that the streets should be installed as required by our
regulations. A lengthy discussion followed with the commission and Barry
Dees, Dees Engineering Services, Inc., regarding the proposed stormwater
pump. Mr. Dees was questioned as to what will happen should the
electricity fail and whether or not he could give a case where this pump is in
operation. Mr. Dees said he had overdesigned for a 100 year flood and the
water would flow in to the pond in case of electricity failure but could not give
an example of pump in operation. Mr. Dees was shown pictures of the area
where it floods now and he remarked they would take care of their water.
Mike Ford asked who was ultimately responsible and was told the project
engineer for 13 years, and he asked if they had county approval and was
told no, no input from county, they said they had plans in for over 4 months.
Further discussion led to a motion by
Planning & Zoning Commission
July 6, 2004 — Page Two
Dan McCrory to deny based on lack of knowledge on the stormwater pump.
Bob Clark 2"d the motion. At this time Mr. Harless asked for an extension of
90 days as a denial would mean he would have to wait 6 months to come
back. Dan McCrory amended his motion to extend case for 90 days to get
input. Bob Clark amended his 2"d. Motion passed unanimously.
SD04.36 Preliminary Plat of Hunters Glen/Lennart Holmberg (Generally
located east of Thompson Hall north of Twin Beech Rd) Mr. Baker said that
this is 5.99 acres and 9 lots owned by Mr. Holmberg located outside the city
and had come before them as an informal plan in May 2004. He said
favorable input was given at that meeting although this was non -conforming
subdivision with streets already existing that was approved some 2 years
ago, but they were informed any new construction would have to meet
regulations. He said everything had been provided and recommended
approval as presented. Larry Green moved to approve, Lee Turner 2"d the
motion and it carried unanimously.
SD04.37 Informal Review of Weldon Farms(Generally located south of
Fairhope Avenue east of Gunnison Rd and west of Langford Rd) Mr. Baker
said this is a 31.7 parcel located 4 Y2 miles out of the city that they are
wishing to develop into 14 lots. He said they are seeking rural development
status but lots are not 5 acres in size which would mean they would have to
have paved streets with curb and gutters. Reid Cummings represented Ms.
Weldon and argued they wish to keep it rural setting. He explained the
challenges in the topo. A lengthy discussion followed wherein the
commission explained we have rules and regulations and cannot change at
every whim. The input that was given was develop as rural with 5 acre lots
or conform to regulations.
SD04.42 Informal Review of Colony Park(Generally located south of
Windmill Rd just east of Thompson Hall Rd) Mr. Baker said this is a 16.6
acre parcel that is being developed into 36 lots and is currently zoned RA
which has a 3 acre minimum lot size. Reid Cummings was representing the
developer. If they go forward they will be making a zoning request change.
The layout review was favorable and was asked to meet stub out
requirements.
SD04.43 Preliminary Plat review of Riverchase Phase 1 and 2(Generally
located south of Fairhope Avenue and west of Cty Rd 33) Mr. Baker said
that Jeff Thompson is the developer of this 37.96 acre parcel and is
proposing 100 lots. The property is located outside the city. He
recommended approval. Don Rowe was present representing the developer.
Planning & Zoning Commission
July 6, 2004 — Page Three
Discussion led to a motion by Dan McCrory to approve as per staff
recommendation. Larry Green 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously.
SD04.44 Preliminary Plat of Hideaway of Fairhope(Generally located
south of Cty Rd 24 East of Cty Rd 27) Mr. Baker said this is some 5.33
acres that they are proposing to divide into 3 lots located outside the city.
He recommended approval subject to showing 30 foot reserved ROW on
the plat and them extending subdivision to city water. He recommended
approval subject to requiring the water extension and the reserved ROW.
Lee Turner moved to approve as per staff recommendation. Dan McCrory
2"d the motion and it carried unanimously.
SD04.45 Final Plat of Huntington Phase 1 (Generally located west of
Greeno Rd north of Battles Rd) Mr. Baker said Homelife Communities of
Alabama is the owner and this is Phase 1 of the PUD that was approved in
the spring and contains 37.11 acres and 97 lots. He recommended
approval. Scott Hutchison represented the developer. Dan mentioned that
there was erosion around the lift station that needed correcting. Mr.
Hutchison said they had sodded but it washed away. A discussion followed
on the required 10 ft side setback that the council voted they have in this
subdivision and Mr. Hutchison said they are going to come back next month
with a rezoning request. Several adjacent property owners spoke regarding
the drainage there now and the water problems they are having. Mayor
Kant said he and Mr. Baker would come and visit the property in question
and look at situation. Dan McCrory moved to approve contingent upon
fixing erosion problem at lift station and satisfaction by Mayor that they are
meeting drainage requirements and not dumping on neighboring properties.
Bob Clark 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously.
SD04.46 Final Plat Approval of Idlewild 8 (Generally located north of
Windmill Rd and east of Thompson Hall Rd) Mr. Baker said this is a 11.82
acre development with 22 lots zoned R2. He mentioned that there is a large
oak tree that was to be pruned back and has been completed and
recommended approval. Discussion led to a motion by Tim Kant to approve
Larry Green 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously.
SD04.47 Preliminary Plat of Riverstation Phase 2 (Generally located
north of Fairhope Avenue east of Cty Rd 27) Mr. Baker said Ray Moore is
presenting Riverstation LLC in this request to make 27 lots in this 13.012
acre subdivision.. His recommendation was to approve. In discussion a
neighbor asked when it was appropriate to bring up drainage questions.
Dan McCrory asked about Urbanek driveway and Mr. Moore said that they
Planning & Zoning Commission
July 6, 2004 — Page four
fixed the driveway but will pave it as Mr. Urbanek is requesting. Lee Turner
moved to approve subject to driveway being paved. Dan McCrory 2"d the
motion and it carried unanimously.
Mayor Kant said he would like to request staff report back to commission on
engineering on subdivisions, how to streamline process. Also, he would like
staff to report back on the stormwater pumps discussed tonight and find an
area where they are being used and working.
There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned at 6.55 PM.
PI L
Betty Riv nbark, Secretary R.N. Charles, Chairman