Fairhope, Alabama
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| Possible hotel deign. |
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| New 'Park City' PUD proposal. |
FAIRHOPE AVENUE AT HWY 181
Architects for the new owners ('181 Fairhope Avenue Llc.') of property at the northwest corner of Fairhope Avenue and Hwy 181 presented conceptual designs to the planning commission for a new planned unit development for the property, to be called 'Park City Village' -- which includes a four story 148-room hotel.
Other components could include: 94 town homes, 62 cottages, 151 senior citizen housing, and over 102K square feet of commercial space -- including a "beer garden" restaurant/event area, and drug and convenience stores along Hwy 181.
Almost 1,600 total parking places are provided, when fully completed.
This proposal would replace former owner 'Gayfer Village Partners Llc.'s' (Haymes Snedeker, Ray Hix) so-called 'Klumpp PUD' -- approved by the commission/city council in 2019.
Developer for the new project is '68 Ventures' of Daphne, architect Birmingham's Nequette; 'SE Civil' is the local civil engineer.
Project goals mentioned by the architects were: 1. Celebrate Fairhope's culture; 2. Provide a new community village center in line with the city's comprehensive plan; 3. Create a mercantile and culinary destination supported by hospitality and all forms of residential choices; 4. Design the community around a walkable pedestrian experience.
The PUD project plans would have to be approved at some point by the planning commission (possibly during its May meeting) and then the city council in public meetings; certain exceptions to current zoning ordinances may be needed according to planning department sources, which is often done with such PUDs.
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| Park City developers. |
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| Klumpp PUD, 2019 |
Comments
Fairhope is special, to be sure, but not invincible. Exert more pressure city officials to plan and govern with wisdom, but don't rely upon them to ensure your prosperity. To do so is the antithesis of the entrepreneurial spirit that enlivened your business the day that you crossed yourself and opened you doors.
We are approaching a crossroads. Today's decisions will echo for generations. Let that echo be the sweet and sentimental sound of tradition preserved by thoughtful strategy and muscular action.
If Fairhope installs meters, you will certainly see the flight of retail dollars from downtown.
Oh yes it will, if cart parking is prohibited on the streets and we tow 'em.
The reasoning is quite simple. The recent proliferation of golf carts has increased demand on a finite number of parking spaces, exacerbating preexisting problem (at least for those unwilling to consider using the garage). Golf carts are easy to identify and segregate from the pool of potential parking vehicles. They are also smaller, and new golf cart parking can maximize the use of the new square footage by properly sizing the spaces. A golf cart taking half a car space takes the whole space, and wastes the rest of the precious real estate.
As previously stated, quite clearly, by another poster: prohibit, ticket, and tow. That is what makes a rational person think that "a golf cart driver is going to use a garage."
This is not an an anti-golf cart position, but rather geometry, logic, and policy-making coming together to mitigate a civic issue. Pleasing all of the people, all of the time, is not on the table. Sorry.
Oh, my! I had no idea.
Sound reasoning clearly demands that we make no new parking laws, repeal all current laws, and paint over existing pavement markings--I mean if she's gonna just park her golf cart right there like that.