HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-07-2003 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission met Monday, April 7, 2003 at S:OOPM at the City
Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street
Present: Larry Green, Dick Charles, Tim Kant, Bob Gentle, Lee Turner, Ed Brinson,
Jean Wilson. Christopher Baker, Director of Planning & Zoning, Betty Rivenbark,
Secretary. Absent: Dan McCrory, Bob Clark
The minutes of the March 3, 2003 meeting were considered and dully approved with a
spelling correction on motion by Dick Charles, 2"d by Ed Brinson and unanimously
carried.
Mr. Baker announced that the application of a minor plat of Henry Crawford, Crawford
Properties was withdrawn from the agenda.
ZC03.02 Public hearing to consider the zoning request of Mark Sekas for R4
Multi -Family zoning contingent on annexation(generally located at the southwest
corner of Bishop Rd and Edwards Ave) Mr. Baker commented that this is a 1.2 acre
parcel currently located out of the city and not zoned. That he is seeking to create two
four-plex buildings. Staff recommended approval. Clay Adams, the architect, was
present and said this plan meets all city requirements. They are seeking annexation
with this zoning request. The public hearing was opened and closed with no
comments. Lee Turner moved to recommend approval to the city council. Ed Brinson,
2"d the motion and it carried unanimously.
ZC03.03 Public hearing request of Miles Jones for annexation contingent on
zoning for his PUD for the proposed Oak Hill development(Generally located
west of Greeno Rd just north of Cty Rd 34) Mr. Baker said that this is a 175 acre
parcel located outside the city but contiguous and they are seeking annexation. He
said the developer had been advised in writing that a traffic study will be required and
has to be completed at the time of the plat application for the first phase and this has
been agreed to by the developer. In his recommendation he said that the developer
has worked hard to incorporate the staff recommendations and what they heard from
the informal review. Larry Green commented that what presented tonight better, they
have shown egress/ingress off of Hwy 34 and stub outs to the property line. Charlie
Bassett was representing Dr. Jones. The question was asked what triggered the traffic
study and Christopher Baker replied permitting of phase 1. Dick Charles asked if any
plans for the neighborhood village and Chris Baker said no one has come forward with
any. The public hearing was opened and several people spoke; Bob Bendik, a
resident in the area spoke regarding what could be future water problems. Edward
Hall, and Mark Davis, Bobby Davis, who live north of this property were suggesting a
berm or privacy fence to separate the PUD from this family land and also asking about
sewer plans. Mr. Bassett answered their questions. Mayor Kant suggested as a
gesture of goodwill Dr. Jones possibly getting with this family to talk. Jean Wilson
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said based on what heard tonight she moved to recommend approval to the city
council. Ed Brinson 2" d the motion and it carried unanimously with traffic study done
by phase 1 permitting.
SD03.16 Preliminary Plat of Hollowbrook(Generally located west of Cty Rd 27 and
south of 104) Mr. Baker in his comments stated that this was tabled at the last
meeting but there has been much concern and correspondence over the drainage as it
is next to Country Woods and Country Woods floods now but the proposal meets city
requirements, and has been reviewed by three engineering firms. Also concern has
been expressed over there being only one exit onto Hwy 27 and small houses
planned(R-2 only requires 10,500 sq ft.). Several Country Woods residents spoke
citing the issues Mr. Baker stated above. It was pointed out that this is outside the city
limits now and that they could go tomorrow and be permitted by the county and build
exactly what they are proposing. John Avent of EDS said they do plan to annex. Dick
Charles asked how they plan to handle water and Joe Bullock spoke outlining what
planned and said it should help Country Woods residents in the long run. The traffic
coming out on Hwy 27 was also discussed and when traffic study required. John
Avent said the county has agreed to a deceleration lane but they have not worked out
all the details. Several Country Woods residents spoke expressing concern over lot
size, drainage and maintenance of retention pond. Mayor Kant explained again, that
they could get permitted tomorrow, that they are meeting every city requirement and
are doing nothing illegal or improper. Dick Charles moved to approve preliminary plat
with proviso of traffic study and left turn lane access both entering and departing the
subdivision, and in order to improve safety on Hwy 27. Jean Wilson 2"d the motion.
Motion carried with Bob Gentle abstaining and Lee Turner and Lary Green voting no.
S10103.19 Preliminary Plat approval of Destrehan, Phase 2, land of Harold Avant.
Mr. Baker said this is 5.2 acres containing 11 lots and zoned R2 Single Family, that a
waiver of the greenspace and waiver of requirement to tie into the establish ROW to
the north in River Oaks was being sought. Further, that for drainage a combination
stormwater management is being proposed. A portion going to the existing pond at
the northwest corner of Phase 1 and lots 58-63 are to have individual detention
systems. Additionally, drainage from this development is proposed to flow to the
existing pond at the southwest corner of the property which was identified by HMR in
the comprehensive drainage review of the Fairfield Lake issue as being a contributing
problem. All other issues have been met or agreed to. In his recommendation he
stated that no information was forthcoming on the capacity of the pond that was
designed in Phase 1 in 1995 and proposed to hold water from this phase of
development as well as individual stormwater detention ponds on lots 58-63.
He stated that he thought it was owed to owners of downstream properties to make
sure that the drainage is the best it can be and that because of these reasons staff
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Page three — April 7, 2003
could not support approval in the current form with the current information. Seth
Moore was present representing his firm and said his father was unable to attend.
He outlined same thing Mr. Baker presented. Tim Kant said they just want to make
sure the drainage resolved before approval is given and noted study done in this area
because of drainage problems. Harold Avant said the ditch was the problem and that
his pond was well designed and capable of holding runoff.
He requested approval be given tonight. Chris Baker said he sees lots having
individual drainage as potential problem and urged again that before approval given
we are satisfied that this is best way to proceed because of problems in this area in
the past. BobGentle moved to table this until the two engineering parties, HMR and
Moore Engineering, look at the whole drainage area and if this is the highest and best
use drainage wise, the best solution, with what proposed by Mr. Avant, then advise
us. Ed Brinson 2"d the motion and it carried with one no vote by Jean Wilson.
SD03.21 Minor Plat approval of Lot 180C of Rock Creek, Phase 1 land of Bob
Chatam(Generally located east of US Hwy 98, north of South Drive, and south of the
entrance to Rock Creek) Mr. Baker said that Rock Creek is a PUD established in the
early 1990's and Lot 180 C was originally designated as a commercial use for Rock
Creek residents. He said that this is a very challenging parcel of property in buildable
area. But, there is a significant portion of the property that has either floodway,
floodplain, or wetland impacts, and the State of Alabama has a drainage easement on
the property. He said lot 1 is buildable, but it is not economical to build on lot 2, and if
the owner is willing to comply with all the requirements of the state, the flood
ordinances, the corps of engineers and ADEM the process should continue. Seth
Moore and Mr. Chatam spoke. They said ADEM will have to approve this but Mr.
Chatam will give an easement on lot 2 to city. Lee Turner said he sees this as a
permitting issue. Christopher Baker said he brought to Commission because of
access to pump station. Discussion led to Lee Turner moving to approve with
granting of utility easement shown on plat. Dick Charles 2"d the motion and it carried
with one no vote by Jean Wilson.
SD03.22 Preliminary Plat approval of Miller's Crossing, Phase 2(Generally located
west of Cty Rd 27, north of Cty Rd 32, just west of the J. Lary Newton School) Mr.
Baker said this phase contains 19.89 acres and 45 lots are proposed. That this is
located outside the city and unzoned. He said all requirements have been met or
agreed to, everything in order, and he recommended approval. Dick Charles moved
to approve as presented and in accordance with staff recommendation, Lee Turner 2"d
the motion and it carried unanimously.
IR03.04 Informal Review of potential zoning change on property being
presented by Charlie Earle generally located west of Thomas Hospital and south of
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Morphy Avenue Mr. Baker said this is 2.5 acres on the west side of the medical office
park by Thomas Hospital and is just an extension of what there now. This would be
double frontage lots and rezoning to B4 would be requested. Seth Moore represented
Mr. Earle and property owners. He said a buffer would be left on Morphy Avenue.
Everyone felt this good idea to proceed but be mindful of drainage problems in area.
IR03.05 Discussion regarding the street extension requirement to the property
line. Mr. Baker had prepared a document citing options for how to handle future
subdivisions with stub outs to property line: 1. Require paving to the property line; 2.
Require developers to escrow money to the City; 3. Require that when adjacent
property develops that developer paves all of the ROW to join where the existing
development left off ; 4. City make the connection between developments. He went
on to say that alterations to the subdivision regulations could be made. Discussion
followed and Bob Gentle asked if the issue was who will pay for stub outs? With
answer being yes. It was consensus that when preliminary plat presented developers
told to pave to property line.
IR03.06 Informal review of Fairfield, Phase 6(Generally located north of Twin
Beach Rd and east of Boothe Rd) Mr. Baker said this is a 5.24 acre parcel of
property owned by Paul Monroe who is proposing a 41 lot development. Seth Moore
was representing Mr. Monroe and said that in drawing they showed townhouse design
and alleys with rear loading garages. Discussion followed and Mr. Monroe spoke
saying he envisioned something like Fairhope North along Bishop Rd with front facing
drainage ditch, having sidewalks run along length of front but rear actually being
entrance/exit to units. They were asked to design to accommodate garbage trucks
and sensitive drainage situation. They said when come back they would be asking for
rezoning combination. All liked concept presented tonight.
There being no further business meeting was duly adjourned at 7:30pm.
Betty kivenbark, Secretary
Larry Gre n, Chairman