HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-1997 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met Monday,
June 2, 1997 at 5:00 PM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section
Street
Present: Chairman Larry Green; members Thad Ingram, Debbie Quinn,
James P. Nix, William Richmond, Tim Kant, Dick Charles, Cecil
Pitman. Zoning Official Robert Lunsford and Acting Secretary, Brenda
Hoffren
Larry Green called the meeting to order and introduced Dick Charles as our
new Planning Commission member and welcomed him to the forum. Mr.
Charles is replacing Dick Sanderson who recently retired after many years of
service to the City. Mr. Charles responded that it was an honor to be
selected and serve on the Commission.
Mr. Green called attention to the new Official Zoning Maps prepared for the
Commission members by Bob Lunsford. He asked Mr. Lunsford to brief
them on what information they could find on the maps. Mr. Lunsford
explained that zoning designations for the city were on the map, with the red
line indicating the corporate limits and the yellow areas designating those
areas outside the city. He asked that any errors or omissions be brought to
his attention for correction. Mr. Green noted that one of these maps was on
display in the Building Department office and one would be displayed on an
easel at the Planning Commission meetings for public view.
The minutes of the May 5, 1997 meeting were considered and approved as
written on motion by William Richmond, seconded by Debbie Quinn and
unanimously carried.
South Bayou Circle -Recertification of Final Plat-12 lots along Bayou
Circle, an existing unpaved county road, in Bay Haven subdivision off Mary
Ann Beach Road. Bob commented that the developer was required to come
back for recertification as he had received approval in January 1996 but had
failed to record the plat within the required 60 days of approval. Bob
recommended approval with the condition that the plat be approved by the
County Engineer before recording. Mr. Green asked Craig Dyas how he
could have missed the filing deadline. Mr. Dyas responded that "the buck
stops here" and he took the blame for letting it slip by. Mr. Green said he
had no problem with recertifying, but this is not the first time this has
happened and he just wonders why it happened. Mr. Dyas responded that
this is the first time it has happened to him. Comments w ere called for by
the chairman. None were made with the exception of Mr. Dyas who
explained that the subdivision has been reduced from 13 lots to 12
increasing the size of each lot. Motion to approved for final approval by Cecil
Pitman. Seconded by Debbie Quinn and unanimously carried.
Cheval Subdivision - Final Plat Approval-9 lots on Cheval Lane at the
Southeast corner of County Road 3(South Section Street) and County Road
32 (Marlow Road). Bob commented that this is located on a privately
maintained street with lots varying in size from 3.9 to 7.4 acres depending on
underground sewage disposal. Stormwater management has been certified
by the engineer and clear bacteriological reports have been received. Street
overlength for the cul-de-sac was waived by the commission on preliminary.
Final approval was recommended with the County Engineer's signature and
approval before recording. Comments were called for by the Chairman. Ack
Moore responded that it was a very nice subdivision and he was proud of it.
Debbie Quinn asked about the ponds on the property. Were they existing
prior to development? Two were already there and a third new pond was
built near the road. A motion was made for acceptance by Cecil Pitman
seconded by Dick Charles. Motion pass unanimously.
Bay Hills Subdivision- Preliminary Plat Approval - 5 lots North side of
County Road 32, East of County Rd. 3 outside the City. Bob commented
these were lots ranging from 4.1 to 5.7 acres using underground sewage
disposal, there is no zoning in force for this area. The County Engineer has
acknowledged receipt of plat and plans. Stormwater management
calculations have been provided and certifications placed on plat. Erosion
control plan has been provided. No sidewalk plan is required for privately
maintained roadways. Preliminary approval is recommended subject to
preconstruction conference with engineer, contractor, city and county
personnel. Mr. Lunsford asked the chairman to recognize a gentleman in the
audience who wished to speak in regard to the project. He identified himself
a s Mr. Praner(17062 Section Street, Fairhope) . This proposed division is to
the rear of his 10 acre parcel. He questioned the street coming into the
subdivision and whether it would extend out to County Road 3 from its
entrance on County Road 32. Mr. Lunsford showed the plat to Mr. Praner
indicating the cul-de-sac ending inside the subdivision. The boundary of the
subdivision does not touch on County Road 3. Mr. Trae Corte spoke saying
that the whole property of Mr. Threadgill is not part of this division.
Approximately 300 feet between Mr. Praner and Mr. Threadgill's property
separates the subdivision. Mr. Praner remarked that he had moved here
from Chicago to get away from traffic and people and was just concerned, but
was satisfied that it would not be a problem. Tim Kant asked Trae Corte
about the width of the cul-de-sac in regard to the garbage trucks and fire
vehicles being able to maneuver. Trae responded that it was designed to
comply with the minimum required radius. James Fisher(P.O. Box 495,
Pt. Clear) was recognized by the Chairman. He lives on the property to the
east of Mr. Threadgill. He approves of what was done at Cheval and the lots
Mr. Threadgill is proposing are acceptable to him but his concern was for the
property that is not a part of this development. What assurances does he
have that it will not be developed at a later date into half acre lots. He is
concerned that a road will be put down the middle of it and 18 half acre lots
will be put in. He has seen several different layouts of the proposed division
in the past and wonders what can be done to prevent it. Trae Corte spoke
saying that there were no plans at this time for the division of the property.
Mr. Fisher requested that the Planning Commission prevent any division of
this property smaller than two acres. Mr. Green responded that the Planning
Commission has no control over the size of the lots or the development in
this area as it is outside the corporate limits and the county has no zoning in
regard to this property. Debbie Quinn responded that the owners could put
in a trailer park if they wanted to. Technically anything could be built there
with no zoning to protect it. Mr. Fisher asked if the property buyers for the
new subdivision would be advised of this parcel when buying a lot and told
that there were no restrictions. Mr. Nix said if he were buying a lot in this
subdivision and planning to build a house at that price, he would certainly
inquire about the surrounding area. Mr. Green responded that any further
division of the property would have to come before the Planning Commission
for approval. Debbie Quinn said Mr. Fisher would then be notified as he had
been this time. He would be in a position to input his opinion on the division
at that time. The only thing the developer would have to comply with in
regard to lot size would be health department regulations for underground
sewage. That may help predict required lot size. The fact that city services
are provided(water and gas) has no bearing on the city's ability to regulate lot
size or use outside our jurisdiction. Mr. Pitman responded that Mr. Fisher
has the boards sympathy in regard to his desire to protect his property but he
is fortunate to have 15 acres as a buffer to anything that may be done in the
future. Mr. Green suggested that he talk to the owner and express his
concerns. A motion was called for from the chairman for a vote on Bay Hills.
Tim Kant moved for preliminary approval. Thad Ingram seconded and motion
carried unanimously.
There being no further business meeting was duly adjourned.