HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-2003 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission met Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at
the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street at 5:00PM in the
Council Chambers
Present: Lang Green, Chairman; Bob Gentle, Dan McCrory, Bob Clark,
Dick Charles, Lee Turner, Ed Brinson Absent: Tim Kant, Jean Wilson
The minutes of the August 4, 2003 meeting were duly considered and
approved on motion by Dick Charles, 2"d by Bob Gentle and unanimously
carried.
ZC03.05 Public hearing - rezone request from 134-Business and
Professional Office to B2-General Business, request of Treasure
Properties for property(generally located at the northwest corner of
Morphy and Greeno)Mr. Baker commented that this had come before
them at the May meeting and went to the council with a recommendation
of denial. The council considered it at their June 23 meeting and sent it
back to the P&Z for further study. In his recommendation he said if the
commission feels that the compatibility issues can be dealt with by use of
deed restrictions they could vote to approve, likewise if they do not want to
enter into deed restrictions(with city enforcement) then they should vote to
deny. Sam Irby spoke for Treasure Properties saying that after legal
research and consultation with the city attorney (who issued an opinion)
they are presenting same request and proposing to put deed restrictions
on the property which will limit to B4 uses, only for drugstore, and owner
will put up extensive buffer to satisfy the issues raised about rezoning this
piece of property to B2: He said they think it is the right thing to do, will
enhance the property and the growth will be beneficial to the city. Ray
Moore spoke showing the schematics and went over detention plans.
Austin Simmons, of Eckerds Corp., also spoke citing growth studies and
saying this is best corner to do business in Fairhope and they wish to
enhance the local area. Speaking against plan were Claire Gray, Eloise
Rowe, Andy Allegri, Joyce Bishop and Marjorie Ewing. Cristopher Baker
said he had also gotten a call from Matt Dial and letter from Dr. Michael
Quinn against proposal. Dick Charles read memo from Jean Wilson(who
was not able to attend meeting)who was against rezone. Further
discussion led to a motion by Dick Charles to recommend denial to city
council. Bob Clark 2"d the motion. Motion to deny carried with following
vote: For motion- Dick Charles, Larry Green, Bob Gentle, Dan McCrory,
Bob Clark. Against motion — Ed Brinson, Lee Turner.
ZC03.10 Public hearing -rezone request from R2-Single Family to 64-
Business and Professional Office by Dyas Development, for
property(generally located north of Nichols, east of Ingleside and
west of Greeno Rd) Mr. Baker commented that Mr. Dyas is representing
the property
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Page two — September 2, 2003
owner and that the property has a house on it. The property to the east
zoned industrial, north is zoned R4-Multifamily and the west is R2 Single
family. He said further B4 has been used as a buffer between residential
and commercial and recommended approval. Mr. Dyas said that Fairhope
Title and Survey is wishing to relocate and would like to move their office
onto this property. Questions were asked and answered about proposed
parking. The owner of Marine Exhaust spoke saying she just wants for the
record to let it be known that they are there and that they don't wish to be
asked to change things as they are now if Fairhope Title moves there.
Larry Green also wished it be noted in the record that any construction
permits let on the property contain B4 restrictions. All comments
answered satisfactorily, Dick Charles moved to recommend approval to
city council of zone change. Ed Brinson 2"d the motion and it carried
unanimously.
ZC03.11 Rezone request from R2 Single Family Residential to PUD
Planned Unit Development, by Bobby Clark/Pat Achee for
Moorehaven Retirement Village(Generally located at Windmill and Cty
Rd 27) Mr. Baker in his comments said this had come before the
commission as an informal review and positive input was given and as a
result the application is being presented now. He stated further that multi-
family and only B4 uses will be allowed. He recommended if approved the
commercial backing on Windmill should either be totally screened from
view or have 2 sided architecture. Charlie Bassett, the engineer, spoke
for the applicants. He said they will have a gravel parking lot, two offices
on front and 7 duplex units in the rear. He said that this proposal will
provide a buffer on Cty Rd 27, they feel like it complies with the
comprehensive plan and will contribute to village center concept. Ray
Walley spoke citing water problems, several Quail Creek residents spoke
citing traffic problems already on Hwy 27 and County's plans for the road
and handling of water in this project. It was noted no zoning exists on
adjoining portions of Hwy 27 in the County and so could be developed
commercially at any time. Further discussion led to a motion by Dick
Charles to recommend approval to city council with staffs
recommendation, Bob Gentle 2"d the motion and it passed unanimously.
ZC03.12 Public hearing — Craig Dyas amendment to the Trentino PUD
regarding building height(Generally located north of Parker Rd and west
of four -lane) Mr. Baker commented that when approval was given for the
Trentino PUD a maximum height of 30 feet was approved. Since that time
Mr Dyas has experienced difficulty in home designs with this requirement.
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Page Three — September 2, 2003
He said currently Rock Creek, Sandy Ford and Village North allow 35 feet.
Trentino is the lowest at 30' to the ridge of the roof and increasing building
height to 35' would make the same as adjacent properties. He suggested
making the same as the county so there exists equality between the
regulations and all adjacent property owners. Mr. Dyas spoke citing topo
problems, and handed out drawings showing proposals of homes he
wishes to build in PUD. Several Sibley Square residents spoke saying
when PUD approved they were assured no adjacent houses would be
taller than tallest house in Sibley Square. Mr Dyas said he has never built
anything that was not "top rate" and would not do so now. He also said
this property is lower where it adjoins Sibley Square. Further discussion
led to Mr. Baker suggesting approve how county measures — which is 35
feet from grade to mean between eave and ridge. Bob Gentle moved to
accept staff recommendation and recommend same to city council. Lee
Turner 2"d the motion and it carried with one no vote by Larry Green.
SD03.47 Minor Plat approval of Mallory Estates(Generally located
south of Twin Beech Rd just west of Thompson Hall Rd) Mr. Baker
said Steve Dunnam was representing the owner, A J. Mallory. The
property is outside the city and is not zoned, containing 40.14 acres and
they are proposing to create 4 lots. He recommended approval subject to
showing the reserved ROW east and west on the plat. Discussion led to a
motion by Lee Turner to approve with staff recommendation, Dick Charles
2" d motion and it carried unanimously.
SD03.49 Public hearing - Amendment to the Subdivision
Regulations with regard to Jurisdictional area, water service and
sewer service. Mr. Baker said this is three proposed amendments to the
subdivision regulations that have been reviewed by legal staff and he
recommended approval. The public hearing was held and no comment
received. Lee Turner moved to approve as presented, Ed Brinson 2"d the
motion and it carried unanimously.
SD03.50 Public hearing — Amending the Comprehensive Plan
regarding the Jurisdictional Area, increasing to five miles. Mr. Baker
presented a resolution which will go forward to the city council, stating it
had been reviewed by legal staff and he recommended it. The public
hearing was held with no comment. Lee Turner moved to approve as
presented, Ed Brinson 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously.
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Page four — September 02, 2003
SD03.51 Final Plat Approval — Riverstation(General ly located north of
Fairhope Avenue, just east of Blueberry Lane) Mr. Baker said this is
approximately 9.85 acres containing some 31 lots located outside the city.
He said all issues have been met or agreed to and recommended
approval. Ray Moore addressed the commission on behalf of the owners.
The question was asked if they are addressing the concerns of Mr.
Urbanek and how this was going to affect his property. Mr. Moore said
yes and they will do what necessary to satisfy concerns. Further
discussion led to motion by Dick Charles to approve as presented, Lee
Turner 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously.
SD03.52 Preliminary Plat Approval of Huntington(Generally located at
Old Battles Road and Greeno Road) Mr. Baker said this has been
renamed from Oak Hill to Huntington. This is phase 1 of the development
containing approximately 40.98 acres and 103 lots and is zoned as a
PUD. As part of approval a traffic study was required with the first phase.
In his comments he mentioned that during the approval process for the
PUD the developer represented that they did not own, intend to own, or
have control over the 2 parcels that front Greeno Road and did not know
ownership and in fact the site plan that was approved by the Council and
Commission showed that area as not part of this subdivision. However,
when the plat was submitted it turns out that Homelife Communities does
own the property. Miles Jones was present representing the application
as was Scott Hutchison and Ray Moore. Discussion followed with the
Commission members informing Dr. Jones that they felt that they had
been intentionally misled regarding this application and property
ownership and Dr. Jones involvement in this. Also, decisions had been
made based on Dr. Jones presentation. Dr. Jones said he was only in
charge of the infrastructure. Further discussion led to Bob Gentle putting
in the form of motion to table any further action regarding this until the
principles of Homelife Communities come to talk face to face with the
Commission and explain overall development plans. Dick Charles 2"d the
motion and it passed unanimously.
SD03.59 Review of Fairhope Public Utilities Sewer Extension from
the Newton School east to the Fish River area. Mr. Baker said that
under Section 11.52.11 of the State Code it states that utilities before
extending gain approval from the Planning Commission and this review is
to review the location, character and extent so it implements the
Comprehensive Plan of the city. He said further that Fairhope public
utilities sewer is proposing to extend sewer service from the existing lift
station at the Newton School on 32 east to the Fish River area. His
recommendation was to approve and the City Council will be authorizing
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September 02.2003 — Page five
the project. Lee Turner moved to approve as recommended, Ed Brinson
2"d the motion and it carried unanimously.
IR 03.06 Report regarding front setbacks in the Central Business District.
Mr. Baker said as a result of discussion at the last meeting he has looked
into changing and three ways to view the issue: urban design, property
rights and impacted property owner and three options after studying the
three views: leave as is; not enforce in the CBD; modify the existing
requirements. His recommendation was to leave the regulations alone.
Downtown has done very well with the regulations that are in place. Bob
Clark voiced acceptance of report as presented. All agreed with
recommendation.
Under new business, Dan McCrory was asked to chair nominating
committee for election of Chairman and Vice -Chairman at the October
meeting and poll members.
There being no further business to come before it, meeting was duly
adjourned at 8:OOP.M.
Betty 'venbark, Secretary Lary Green, Chairman