HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-2003 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission of the City of Fairhope met
Monday, December 1, 2003 at 5:OOPM at the City Administration
Building, 161 N. Section Street.
Present: Dick Charles, Chairman; Tim Kant, Dan McCrory, Bob
Clark, Jean Wilson, Lee Turner, Ed Brinson, Mike Ford. Christopher
Baker, Director of Planning & Zoning and Betty Rivenbark,
Secretary. Absent: Larry Green
The minutes of the November meeting were duly considered and
approved on motion by Tim Kant, 2"d by Ed Brinson and
unanimously carried.
ZC03.15 Public hearing — re -zoning request of Betty Rejczyk
from R2 Single Family to B3A Tourist Resort Lodging
District(generally located at the foot of Fels and Scenic Hwy 98).
Mr. Baker said Ms. Rejczyk owns this 13,000 sq ft lot and desires to
build a house on the property and have a bed and breakfast. He
said this is the site of the Forsman house that was demolished
several years ago and B3A is on 3 sides of the property; drainage
and parking will be big concerns. Richard Willard spoke for the
applicant saying they wish to construct a two story house with four
rented out bedrooms, two will be used by his sister in law and
mother-in-law who will operate the business. He said he understood
parking is an issue and that he will get a landscape architect to work
with them. The public hearing was opened and closed with no
comments. Discussion followed by the commission and all questions
were answered satisfactorily Jean Wilson moved to approve subject
to parking/screening being addressed as per staff recommendation.
Ed Brinson 2"d the motion and it carried unanimously.
SD03.65 Final Plat approval of Hollowbrooke, Phase 1(generally
located south of Hwy 104 and west of Cty Rd 27).Mr. Baker said
this had been granted preliminary plat approval but drainage was a
major point of concern. He said three engineering firms evaluated
the drainage at the preliminary plat stage and has been constructed
and the project engineer has certified that it meets the design.
Ultimately it will help the Country Woods residents. He said a final
inspection was conducted with minor concerns and that a left turn
lane for north bound traffic is to be constructed by the County in
February 2004 and a right turn out lane has been constructed. All
city utilities are available to the property and staff recommendation
was to approve subject to the corrections of the final inspection.
Discussion led to a motion by Lee Turner to approve subject to the
punch list being adhered to. Ed Brinson 2"d the motion and it
carried unanimously.
Planning & Zoning Commission
December 1, 2003 — Page two
SD03.67 Minor Plat Approval of Moorehaven Retirement
PUD(Generally located at Windmill Rd and County Rd 27)
Mr. Baker said PUD approval has been given from the City Council
for this development that will have two commercial lots and one
residential lot. He said there are no issues, everything has been
taken care of. Jean Wilson moved to approve, Bob Clark 2"d the
motion. It carried with one abstention by Mike Ford.
SD03.68 11.52.11 Request of Fairhope Public Utilities for a
water main extension on Gunnison Road. Mr. Baker said this is
located east of Quail Creek subdivision and the extension is 200 ft.
to the north. He recommended approval. Dan McCrory, Water and
Sewer Superintendent, said this extension will help them in the
future. A motion was made by Dan McCrory to approve, 2"d by Ed
Brinson motion carried unanimously.
Under old business Mr. Baker reported that he is working on the
Greenspace Plan and has been seeking public input having sent
out 85 letters seeking comments pro and con regarding this and
coordinating with grant administrator. He said final draft will be put
on line and be available in offices.
IR03.07 Information Report on Preliminary Options in Wetland
Development. Mr. Baker made a report saying that the city had
issued permits for 350 new single family homes and that the
commission had asked him to look at. He said that the Baldwin
County Wetland Conservation Plan states that there are more than
380,000 acres of wetlands in Baldwin County and that property that
has delineated wetlands will probab!� be coming before the
commission more and more frequently. He said wetlands are
important in many respects with natural habitats and disturbing them
can have impacts on stormwater and create drainage issues
downstream. The conversion of wetlands is clearly an issue that
needs to be addressed with due respect for private property rights
and takings claims. He said further that we need to define what a
wetland is and said the Corps of Engineers definition that was
published in the Federal Register was: Those areas that are
inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency
and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal
circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically
adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, wetlands generally
Planning & Zoning Commission
December 1, 2003 — Page three
include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. He cited 3
options that could be taken ... A. No delineated wetlands shall be
platted for building development B. When a parcel of property has
delineated wetlands and uplands the gross density shall be applied
to and allowed only on the upland area. The delineated wetland
area shall be protected and developed or filled. In the case of
County Zoning the developer must get appropriate zoning approval.
C. Where a parcel of land proposed to be subdivided contains an
area of delineated wetlands the property shall be subject to
approvals of the Corps of Engineers for fill. Lots may be platted on
upland areas and fill may be used only to build a proper site for the
structure, accessory buildings, and drive access.
Having given the report he asked that the commission members
give some thought and deliberation to it, it is beginning of
process.(Report in file)
The chairman recognized Mike Ford who replaced Bob Gentle as
council representative, and thanked Mr. Gentle for his service.
The meeting was duly adjourned at 5:30 PM.
Betty ivenbark, Secretary