HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-26-2024 Parking Authority Meeting MinutesCity of Fairhope Parking Authority Meeting -Workshop Session
8:00 a.m. thru 9:30 am -August 26th, 2024@ The Fairhope Museum of History
Members in Attendance: Chief Stephanie Hollinghead, Bryan Flowers, Chad Bartz,
Chris Schrader, Josh Turner, Morgan Slay, Kelly Gribler, and Mandy Bezeredi
Guests: Mayor Sherry Sullivan, Hunter Simmons (City of Fairhope Planning Director),
Brad Hicks (Stone Crosby) and his clients
Call to order -8:00am
August 5 meeting minutes approved.
Comments from Hunter Simmons: The Planning Department has an ad hoc
downtown parking committee that was created before the current Parking Authority
became more active. He would like 3 representatives from the Parking Authority to join
the ad hoc committee so they can keep us updated on Planning Department initiatives.
Comments from Brad Hicks and further discussion regarding the hardware store
property: Mr. Hicks represents the owners of the hardware store property at the corner
of Fairhope and Church. They plan to build a 3-story structure that will include a med
spa, restaurant, and 27 boutique hotel rooms. Their plans were tabled by the Board of
Adjustments for 60 days. They must provide 27 parking spaces (1 space for each hotel
room) for guests. Mr. Hicks went to the Parking Authority to request 27 spaces in the
parking garage for a fair price. The owners have another parking option - a lot on
Magnolia adjacent to the parking garage. Once the building begins, it is expected to
take approximately 2 years to complete. They expect an average of 65% occupancy.
Chad Bartz asked about the potential number of employees and if there was a plan to
provide parking for them. Currently, they are unsure of the number and do not plan to
provide parking for them.
Hunter Simmons noted that the 1 to 1 parking space to room ratio was determined by a
2006 parking study. He also mentioned that a study performed in 2012 recommended
parking deck access on Magnolia.
Morgan Slay commented that without enforcement, it would be hard to know if the hotel
was using the spaces.
The Parking Authority nominated Chad Bartz and Bryan Flowers to represent the
authority on the Planning Department's ad hoc committee.
Meeting adjourned unanimously at 9:15 am
Next meeting set for September 10, 2024 at 8:00am.