HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-07-2002 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met Monday, January 7,
2002 at S:OOPM at the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street
Present: Larry Green, Chairman; Dick Charles, Tim Kant, Dan McCrory, Bob Clark,
Pauline Anders, Jean Wilson, Christopher Baker, Director of Planning &
Zoning, Betty Rivenbark, Secretary
The minutes of the December 3, 2001 meeting were considered and approved with one
addition that Ms. Wilson also discussed engineering standardized drainage
assumptions. A motion was made by Dick Charles, 2" ' by Dan McCrory to approve the
minutes with this addition. Motion carried unanimously.
ZC01.17 Public hearing re -zoning from R-3 High Density Single Family to B-4
Business and Professional Office(generally located east of Professional Health Care
and West of Bishop Road on Morphy Avenue) Land of Aubrey Fulford. Mr. Baker was
asked for his comments and he went over the different uses in the area now also
stating there are currently B-4 vacancies now. He recommended denial of this
application as it was not supported by the comprehensive plan and would have
negative impact to East Gate to the north and the zoning on Morphy steps down in
intensity as is currently implemented. Mr. Green opened the public hearing and Curtis
Gordon spoke saying he owns the property immediately east of this property. That he
is a proponent for the entire corner being zoned for offices. He said he had hoped to
join with Mr. Fulford in the application but that had not worked out. That he thinks Ms.
Lores buildings atrocious and offices would be a good buffer there. David Diehl of EDS
spoke for the applicant he made a presentation showing the different businesses and
the zoning there now, low key business district and that request for office building
would not adversely affect what already there. He said further that Mr. Fulford has a
client that wants to build a medical office building there and they would agree to do
conditional zoning. Mr. Baker commented that the city could not do conditional contract
zoning. Dan McCrory asked what allowed and Christopher read B-4 uses. Jean
Wilson asked what required with building permit and Christopher said setbacks,
buffers. Same thing with any permit request. The public hearing was closed. The
doctors office across the road was mentioned and it was pointed out it was a house
before becoming a doctors office. Jean Wilson commented that Bishop Road would be
a sensible demarcation for businesses. Christopher said you could make that
argument but also argument for high density residential. Larry Green said personally
his concern is the amount of B-4 that is vacant now in the area. That we shouldn't
rezone based on speculation and take into account now vacant property. Dick Charles
asked if this remained R-3 anything else planned. Mr. Diehl said the only thing they
could do would be possibly 3-4 houses there. Dan McCrory asked how this fits into the
comprehensive plan and Christopher replied that should strive for village concept with
the regional center being Bruno's, etc. that the plan does not support different zoning
conflicts, i.e. Baron's, Barry Booth's, not create land use conflicts. All discussion being
heard, Pauline Anders moved to recommend denial of this rezoning request to the City
Council as it does not fit into the comprehensive plan. Bob Clark 2" d the motion and it
Planning & Zoning Commission
January 7, 2002 - page two
carried unanimously. Tim Kant commented the doctors office was brought in on
annexation and if it quits being a doctors office it can revert back to residential in a
year.
SD01.43 Replat of Orchard Park(Generally located east of Cty Rd 27 and north of
Fairhope Avenue) Land of George Klumpp. Mr. Baker commented that this is located
outside the city north of Fairhope Avenue and east of Cty Rd 27 containing some 57.91
acres. David Diehl of EDS was representing the applicant and spoke saying there are
some property owners who were not notified of the meeting and he is requesting that
this be tabled for 30 days so the proper notification can be made. Mr. Green presented
for the record a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Fred Watkins. Mr. Green asked Mr. Diehl to
add to the plat the 4 lots fronting on Gayfer Rd and the trailer park. Mr. Kant
commented that since this is in the county we have no control over what developed
there, they could apply for a building permit tomorrow. Mr. Baker in answer said yes,
that is true. Mr. Green also pointed out to Mr. Diehl the drainage basin that runs thru
the property and that they should with any plans present drainage studies on how they
will handle this as we already have problems at the other end of the basin and further
development would impact it more.
There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.