HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-2000 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met Monday, August 7,
2000 at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street at 5:OOPM
Present: Larry Green, Chairman; members Bill Jones, James P. Nix, Pauline
Anders, Lee Turner, Dick Charles. Christopher Baker, Director of Planning &
Zoning , Betty Rivenbark, Secretary
The minutes of the July 6, 2000 meeting were considered and were duly approved with
one spelling correction on motion by Dick Charles, 2"d by Lee Turner and unanimously
carried.
ZC00-11 Public hearing rezoning of land of Shirley Bosby from R-1 Single Family
Residential to B-2 General Business (located on the west side of Greeno Rd just
north of Biscuit King) Mr. Baker read his comments and said that Mr. Niemeyer is
representing Ms. Bosby and the B-2 request was made to give the highest and best use
of this property located on Greeno Road. That this change would not guarantee that an
office building will be constructed as all B2 uses permitted are possible. That the
Comprehensive Land Use Plan indicates this property as single family and staff
recommendation would be to deny this request as it is not in conformance with the
comprehensive plan. Carlton Niemeyer spoke, handing out a map, saying that
commercial is what is all around and what he had indicated on his map. He indicated
the county's property also and said it is not zoned but for sale as commercial. Lee
Turner asked him if approved would they put in deed restrictions that no curb cuts on
Greeno Rd, access only off of Greeno Lane. Carlton said no problem. Bill Jones
asked if Greeno Lane could handle this and it was thought since paved down to a
certain point it could. A Curtis Tucker got up and spoke saying he is the second house
after hers on Greeno Lane. That they do not want commercial property, he cited noises
that keep him awake now. Dick Charles asked what about a 9-5 business and Tucker
said no. A Marie Johnson spoke saying why couldn't Ms. Bosby build a house? She
was told she could build a house now. She said that now this is a cut thru street and
they worry about the children. Shirley Bosby spoke saying she wants a home, too
much traffic and too much noise here. Nancy Bosby Jordan spoke saying she owns
property next door does not wish change. After all comments, Dick Charles said in
view of the extensive study going on with the comprehensive plan he agrees with Mr.
Baker and moved to recommend denial to the city council. Pauline Anders 2"d and
motion carried unanimously.
ZCOO-15 Public hearing request of Benjamin Manifold to rezone from RA -
Residential Agriculture to RI -Single Family Residential (located just south of
Windmill Rd west of Cty Rd 27) Christopher said that Mr. Manifold is the leaseholder of
3.5 acres just south of Windmill Rd on the west side of Hwy 27 and it is currently zoned
RA -Residential Agriculture. And because he wishes to build a residence for his
children he needs to rezone as the lots will be less than the 3 acres required for RA.
He said the request is in conformance with the comprehensive plan and he
recommends approval. Bill Jones moved to recommend approval to the City Council,
Dick Charles 2"d motion and it carried unanimously.
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August 7, 2000 - Page two
ZC00-14(cont) proposed re -codified and simplified Zoning Ordinance Christopher
said that the current ordinance was adopted in 1992 and since that time there have
been a number of amendments, changes and additions. That it has been reformatted,
recodified, made easier for the community and developers to understand, that this had
been put off for 30 days in order to give the commission time to study. A comment was
made that the general public had not seen it. Pauline Anders said if we need to put off
we can, that there are copies available at city hall for review. Further discussion led to
a motion by Pauline Anders to recommend approval to city council of new ordinance. It
was determined that it would be at least 4 weeks before it comes before the city
council, which gives plenty of time for review to anyone who wishes to review it. Dick
Charles 2"d motion and it carried unanimously.
ZC00-16 Public hearing rezoning request of Hank Miner from R2 - Single Family
Residential to B4 Business & Professional, 401 Fairwood Blvd. Mr. Baker
commented that Mr. Miner's property is 9,000 sq ft and located at the northeastern
comer of Fairwood and Section St. He is asking for this change to convert to office
use. That it is not in conformance with the comprehensive plan and his
recommendation is to deny. The floor was open for discussion and several neighbors
spoke in opposition citing: one of areas where middle class and retired could afford to
live, that this would increase traffic flow, it is secure now. Another saying that she
cherishes everything that she has done to her home since 1976, like to remain as is
and this would be spot zoning. Other comments were keep quiet neighborhood, don't
need congestion and would devalue property. After all comments, Pauline Anders
moved to recommend denial to the city council, Dick Charles 2"d motion and it carried
unanimously.
SDO040 Final Plat approval of Polo Ridge(located south of Twin Beach Rd, north of
Marlow Rd on the west side of S. Section St.) Mr. Baker commented that this is a 7
acre development containing 68 lots and is located outside the city. That the
preliminary plat was approved in 1998. He said that water and sewer will be provided
by the city, drainage calculations have been provided and that he has advised them
that he needs an engineer's certification on the mylar plat submitted prior to recording.
His recommendation was to approve. Michael Tew of SJ & L contractors was present
and when asked about the failing road at this subdivision said that as soon as the
heavy equipment finished they plan to address this issue and it will be put back to pre -
construction condition. Dick Charles asked if there was any intention to connect to
other subdivision through city's easement and he said no. There being no further
comments, Dick Charles said based on all provided he moved to grant approval, Lee
Turner 2"d and motion carried with an abstain vote by Pauline Anders.
SDO041 Minor Plat of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Green's( land located at the northwest
comer of Grant and Lawrence Road) Christopher said that this is a one acre parcel
located outside of the city limits and is not zoned. He said this request is in
conformance with the comprehensive plan, public water is available however they will
Planning & Zoning Commission
August 7, 2000 - Page three
be using a septic system. He said a drainage study should be performed but they are
requesting a waiver saying they will place a note on the plat that any and all drainage
issues are the responsibility of the property owner. Further, the surveyor has indicated
by letter that there are no drainage issues and that any development will not create an
issue. He recommended approval subject to the county's acceptance of drainage
statement. Bill Jones moved to approve with Christopher's recommendation. Dick
Charles 2"d motion and it carried unanimously.
SD00-42 Planned Development - Approval of Dyas Development/Trentino(located
west of the four -lane and north of Parker Rd in the Montrose area) Mr. Baker had
remarked that this is 69 lot development is 20 acres and is located outside the city.
As issues associated with this request he had listed:
1. Comprehensive Plan - It is in conformance with the comprehensive plan
2. Petition: The City has received a petition against the opening of Wild Oaks.
3. Lot size: lots range in size from approximately 5,500 to 12,500 sq. ft.
4. Alleys: with the exception of lots 44-48 and 66-69 all lots have alley access.
Proposed alley width is 12 feet.
5. Roads: the proposed development will connect to Parker Rd and Wild Oaks. He
noted the City has received a letter against opening Wild Oaks
6. Greenspace: Greenspace is provided
7. Dump: There was a dump on this location at one time but a soil boring test indicated
about a foot of garbage. It will be removed and properly disposed of during
construction
8. Pond: A detention pond will be used and is proposed at the northwest corner of the
development
9. Pearly Gaskin Rd: Information provided indicates that the county does not have a
claim to the street.
Staff recommended to approve as requested and said this would carry a 6 months time
period in which a preliminary plat would have to be submitted or start over. Jeff
Kennedy of EDS spoke going over with the Commission what planned. Larry Green
commented that with R-2 and R-3 planned it looks like they are going to wind up with a
project that looks like Kensington. He asked if they will be selling lots or building on
them. Jeff said selling with heavy architectural requirements. Mr. Green mentioned
that it looked high density for the amount of acreage. Dick Charles questioned dump.
Jeff said a sod test was done, no environmental issues, the garbage has been
removed, the vegetation is okey and they have undercut it. The floor was opened up
for discussion and a gentleman asked who lots will be marketed to and what
architectural requirements. Jeff said this will be an upper scale development with
restrictive covenants, like TND, porches will be required and 11 ft. ceilings. There were
also traffic concerns expressed. Brett Hubley asked how far apart houses would be
answer was 5 - 10 ft. How large a house would be allowed and it was answered up to
7,000 sq ft. A Susan Lund spoke saying there are only 22 houses in Wild Oaks and
what planned is very high density. Carrie Nickerson, Suzanne Nicks, Edwin DuBace,
Brenda Lerner, Melanie Hubley, also spoke to traffic problems now and density
planned, they thought they should plan something in keeping with what there, decent
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August 7, 2000 - Page four
houses and lots. After all comments, Dick Charles moved in view of comments and
high density he moved to deny, Bill Jones 2"d and motion carried unanimously.
SD00-43 Minor Plat, Calfee Subdivision- 2 lots(located at the southeast corner of
Greeno Rd and Hwy 32)Christopher commented that this contains some 2 lots on an
8.5 acre parcel and is located outside the city. He said this is in conformance with the
adopted comprehensive plan, no drainage calculations have been provided but there
will be a note on the plat that at the time of building drainage information will have to be
provided. He noted that since the permits will not be issued by the city the drainage
information should be presented now since proposed detention may further impact the
city's water well. He said that there is a public water well approximately 800 ft. east of
the proposed Lot 1 and there is extreme concern by the planning department and the
water and sewer department regarding the impact that development will have on the
water well. It has been said that a gas station is planned for lot 1. Public water is
available at this location however sewer is not readily available. They have received
approval from the County Health Department for a septic system. All permits will be
issued by the county. It was his recommendation to table this request because the
application is not yet complete( submission of the plat to the county but, no response,
and no drainage information). He said there is major concern as it is a dramatic
hazard to our well. He said ADEM has approved this location. Possibly requiring
double hold tanks. Dan McCrory of the Water and Sewer Department also spoke
saying it was like rolling the dice. Could be another worry. He said he has called a
geologist but not been called back yet. Bill Jones asked if there was a possibility of
spill, Dan said yes, if a fracture occurs. Ray Moore was present representing the
applicant and said that there is possibly a convenience store planned for this spot.
Further discussion led to a motion by Bill Jones to table this for 30 days, Pauline
Anders 2"d and motion passed unanimously. Dick Charles said he would like all
questions to be addressed during that time.
Bobby Green brought up in new business how his nursery, Green's Nursery, was
started some years ago by his father and has always existed in this residential district
where he was grandfathered in. He said around 1995-96 this was changed and he was
questioning why/when, as no one was aware of it. He was told that this would have to
be researched and Christopher could work with him.
Pauline Anders asked about review of light industrial site plans. Christopher said he
would work something up
There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.