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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-05-2001 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met Monday, November 5, 2001 at the City Administration Building, Council Chambers at 5:OOPM Present: Larry Green, Chairman; Tim Kant, Dan McCrory, Bob Clark, Pauline Anders, Dick Charles, Lee Turner, Ed Brinson, Jean Wilson, members. Christopher Baker, Director of Planning & Zoning, Betty Rivenbark, Secretary The minutes of October 1, 2001 were considered and duly approved as written on motion by Dick Charles, 2"d by Ed Brinson and unanimously carried. The minutes of the October 2, 2001 special meeting were considered and duly approved with two corrections on motion by Dick Charles, 2' by Ed Brinson and unanimously carried. ZC01.11 Public hearing on a re -zone request of Khim Vira from R-2 Single Family to 63A-Tourist Resort Lodging(generally located east of So. Mobile St and south of Laurel St)Mr. Baker in his comments said that Mr. Vira's family owns the Baron Inn and an adjacent piece of property that is zoned R-2 and his request is to rezone to 133A in order to redevelop the Inn. There is a question of whether the city should allow the further intrusion of commercial zoning into an established residential neighborhood in order to accommodate the redevelopment? Under the comprehensive plan Section3.5 it states that we should encourage high quality development that supports the scale and character of existing neighborhoods. He reported further that he had received a number of letters pro and con. His recommendation was to deny because the redevelopment increases a land use conflict and is not supported by the comprehensive plan. Anil Vira addressed the commission saying the Mom & Pop motels of the 50's & 60's are a thing of the past. That the motel was built in the 50's and has been there a number of years. That he is a second generation motel owner. He said guests demand amenities that are provided by chains and that to get a chain he would have to have at least a 50 room facility. He had a layout of the present motel and showed what proposed. He said he is seeking a franchise and has talked to different chains. The R-2 portion would be used for parking and he plans to close the egress/ingress now open on Laurel Street. He said he would plant a 20-60 ft buffer along this present opening. He showed the surrounding zoning and the buffers there and said it would be good for Fairhope to have this along the bayfront. Buddy Richmond, an architect, quoted 5.63 Tourist Resort Lodging of Zoning Ordinance stating this is compatible with any residential use. In the public hearing portion a Mike Nevins of Laurel Street spoke saying he will be affected but approve, John Irvin, General Manager of the Grand Hotel, spoke said this would be a good thing for the hotel, bring in larger groups and they could handle the overflow, would be have a positive effect for the City of Fairhope, this would bring in clean dollars. Charles Ham representing the Marie Patterson Estate, opposed, as this will directly affect mature neighborhood, that these are uncertain times and he has no guarantee of a franchise. Peter Hunter, lives south of this property, in favor of upgrading, opposed to rezoning. Allen Harper of 182 Fig, thought it would be a benefit to Fairhope increase the value of Planning & Zoning November 5, 2001 - Page two his property. Rick Gambino, would allow a small business to compete, be a tremendous asset, all for it, this is a tourist and retirement town. Julian Trussell, Laurel Street, approves of greenbelt replacing what there now. Susie Glickman, owns property on Laurel, for it. Dan McKenzie of Fig St. all for it. Sam Inge, attorney for estate of Marie Patterson, said franchise is speculation, against rezoning. Garland Sims of Laurel Street, against, not fit in comprehensive plan. Flo Snyder, thinks it would be a great asset. Charles Rost of Fig Street, approve. Nancy Langmaid, Laurel Street exhorbitant amount of traffic and noise now, against. Larry Green asked how many rooms now - 24. He said commission did not have right to ask about financing but what kind of deal would have with the franchise. Mr. Vira said that the franchise would not own the hotel but get a percentage of the take and said this agreement usually lasts 15-20 years. Mr Green asked further about house on Laurel. If rezoned he could rent house out room by room. Mr. Vira said his parents are living in the house now and he would not do that. He was asked about his living arrangements and said that he would have an area on the upper story. Dick Charles asked him if it was not possible to put 50 rooms on the present site. Mr. Vira responded there is a height restriction. He was asked what timetable would be. Mr. Vira said hoped to have completed by next year. Pauline Anders asked if the drawing was shown to scale and Mr. Vira responded yes. Ms. Anders said this would be an asset in the downtown area, with natural buffers and considering comments, she moved to accept rezoning request and recommend same to the City Council. Jean Wilson 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously. ZC01-14 Public Hearing on establishing an Airport Noise Zoning District. This is a proposal that would extend 1 mile to the east and west of the airport and 1.5 miles to the north and south of the airport. There are planned new improvements at the airport and Peter Green of Barge Waggoner, Sumner & Canon, our airport engineers, made the presentation saying that this would affect new construction that might be close to the airport. That there are growth pressures in the area and by putting in place now, help to strike a balance, would have a noise sensitive development with sound rules. He told of what required through the ordinance accomplished through the design standards and it would be implemented through the building codes. Discussion led to Dick Charles commenting this is a good tool and brings us up to date, he moved to accept and recommend approval to city council. Pauline Anders 2"d, motion carried unanimously. ZC01.15 Public Hearing on establishing an Airport Height Hazard Zoning District This district would extend 2.6 miles from the proposed runway, following the approach to the runway from the south and extends into Mobile Bay. The purpose is to control the height of tall structures(communication towers, TV towers, etc) that might impact navigable airspace. Mr. Peter Green again spoke saying that this will allow the city to control tall structures in/around the airport, establish airspace boundaries. Larry Green Planning & Zoning Commission November 5, 2001 - page three asked if there are any now in the area. He responded yes, we can require lights be put on them. It was established that the city has two mile planning jurisdiction from the airport. Further discussion led to a motion by Pauline Anders to accept proposed ordinance and recommend approval to the city council. Jean Wilson 2"d motion carried unanimously. SD01.36 Replat of Geoff s Place Subdivision (located east of Ingleside and south of Middle Street) land of Geoff Cain and See Coast. Mr. Baker said everything is in order and he recommended approval. Mr. Cain is splitting an existing lot and it is currently zoned commercial. With the development proposal lots created will contain 18,000 sq ft. Pauline Anders moved to approve, Dan McCrory 2"d, motion carried unanimously. SD01.40 Final Plat approval of Quail Creek Phase 4A( generally located east of existing Quail Creek and west of Lawrence Rd) Mr. Baker said this is a 36 lot subdivision zoned R2 Single Family Residential. That this is in conformance with the comprehensive plan and all certifications have been provided. He recommended approval saying this also gives a second access point. Lee Turner moved to approve, Dick Charles 2"d and motion carried with one abstention by Jean Wilson. SR01.04 Consideration of the location, character and extent of a proposed new communication tower for the city. Mr. Baker said that there is a new justice center being built and part of the plan is to revamp the city `s communications. That the old tower at the current police station will be removed. Sites being considered were the sewer plant or warehouse and it was determined that the elevation was too low at the sewer plant. The warehouse was chosen as the best place. The question was asked if we could rent space and the answer was yes. Dick Charles asked where located and was told at the rear of the warehouse, he moved to approve this location, Ed Brinson 2"d motion and it carried unanimously. IR.01.04 Report from Hutchinson, Moore, and Rauch on the Fairfield/Twin Beech Drainage Basin. Ray Moore and Rhonda Gulledge were present to speak. Mr. Moore had a booklet for each of the members and the city council that outlined what steps they took in coming to their conclusions. He said they set up computer models, and actually surveyed the area during extensive rain, studied the pipe, detention ponds installed in the area and from that made their conclusions and recommendations which are contained in the report. A lengthy discussion followed and Mr. Moore was thanked for his hard work and the report. IR01.05 Report from Zoning Subcommittee on zoning inconsistencies and recommendations. Dick Charles briefly went over the report that he had passed out and told how they had drawn their conclusions. There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.