The City Council has appointed Fred Hayek, Bobby Green, Jack Russo, Steve McClure, and Claude Pucket to a committee that will consider zoning changes along Greeno Rd. (roughly from Gayfer to Hwy 104). Green and Hayek own property there but the largest owners are Seaman Capital LLC (J. William Lewis) and Auburn University.
CONTRARY TO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The area was to be kept residential (not become another "Airport Blvd.") according to the city's comprehensive plan adopted in 2000; but some property to the south of Gayfer has since been rezoned for commercial use.
At the April Planning and Zoning meeting Hayek, Lewis, Green and other landowners said they thought commercial or a PUD type zoning would be more appropriate there. Resident Gary Gover spoke in support of maintaining the comprehensive plan and updating it periodically. Planning Commissioner (and City Councilmember) Rick Kingea said the plan was not legally binding--and need not always be followed.
Debra Green spoke on behalf of other property owners.
(No time has been set for the new committee meetings, according to City Clerk Lisa Hanks.)
Comments
My husband and I became involved for two reasons. One, to have a plan in place for our properties when we retire so we don't have to fight this battle in the future and two, primarily because our friends to the North, who live across from the rec center and next to the trailer park live a horrible existence and were getting absolutely no help.
Going before both P&Z was the once a year opportunity to speak during their public participation and was followed by the once a month public input meeting with the Council. Other "group" members were out of the Country, some too shy to speak and I was speaking for many in the group.
If you care to disagree with me, fine, but at least I have the courage to speak and try to be respectful.
At one point, Rec Board Members, Ford and Kant met with the property owners to the North (east Greeno) across from the rec center....it would have been a great idea to combine the property across the street with the existing facilities and it could have been accomplished. The excuse was there was not enough room for the tennis courts....so we ended up with Ford putting together a deal south of Fairhope to expand the rec center The Rec. center had the funds to spend. The two properties along both sides of Greeno could have been connected and put to good use. But politics in Fairhope is based on names and political cronyism....
And to be clear, again, my husband and I have no plans to change any aspect of our current zoning, current use of our business property and certainly do not have any plans to totally destroy one of the most well preserved and environmentally sensitive residential areas in Fairhope. We even tried to buy the rental house on the corner of Greeno and Live Oak to help preserve a residential community.
Our position has been made very clear to Mr. Kingrea, Ms. Quinn, the remainder of the Council, Mr. Charles, P&Z and the Planning Dept. (Our Corridor Group is also well aware of our plans since inception. Those in this small group have nothing but the best interest of Fairhope in mind, but there is only one chance to do it right....a strip mall is out of the question. )
Further, the trailer park on Bishop and Morphy is zoned R-6, it is zoned for a trailer park and Faust has every right to rebuild such a facility. It's all he can do without the city approving any rezoning request. He was recently turned down for a request for a zoning change to that of commercial.
So, condemn me all you will, but my husband and I stood up and did a good deed for those who have been treated so horribly by our fair City. We appreciate Mr. Kingrea's assistance along with those who have been appointed to the Commitee. However, it is unfortunate no good deed goes unpunished. This good deed will and the reasons for such cannot be placed in this response.
I stated to have a plan in place for the future when we retire...our properties are all zoned R-1...we simply want to know what our options may be 10-or 15 years down the road. No current plans. But it could be something to tie into the Seaman Capital property, (Greeno only) which we have discussed with Mr. Lewis.
This would be best stated in a letter to the editor, primarily for clarification.
P.S. Can you post the cliff's notes version of your post please, without more contradictions? Thank you.
Like Jimmy Buffett sang, "I'm just glad I don't live in a trailer".