Greeno Road Development Committee Meets Again

FUTURE OF NORTH GREENO DISCUSSED                                

A committee of north Greeno road property owners and potential developers met again recently to discuss how they thought  Greeno Rd. should be developed, roughly form Edwards Ave. to HWY 104.

Chairman Dick Charles said the purpose of the committee is to get input about how the city's entrance should look "10 to 20 years" down the road.

At its last meeting, the committee divided the stretch of highwy into 3 sections for consideration/input.

SOUTH SECTION

Ben Barnhill, who owns property in the south section (south of Gayfer) said he thought a business/professional park similar to the one on the east side would be appropriate for his section: perhaps including medical offices such as the Orthopecic Clinic at the corner of Gayfer Ave.

MIDDLE SECTION

Bobby Green, the owner of Green Nurseries just north of Gayfer, said he thought a farmer's market (ie Burrris' in Loxley) -- perhaps including a "tiny" cafe or coffee shop -- would be suitable for his property.

Committee member and retired Urban Planning Professor Ralph Thayer (Tulane) suggested the Green's property be developed in conjunction with the Seaman Capital property adjacent to the north -- with possible access to be via Hoyle Ave. He suggested a "whole foods" grocery store may be appropriate for the sight.

drainage problems

Green added long-standing drainage concerns along Hoyle Ave. would have to be addressed as well; and Thayer advised a "drainage study" may be in order there.

Self-identified "new urbanist" developer Barry Stalmaker (representing Seaman Capital LLC.) reiterated his ideas for a neighborhood village on the property generally just south of Volanta Ave. -- based upon one he is currently construction in Trusssville Al. ("Mainstreeet Trussville").

Stalmaker said he envisioned a "compact and walkable" neighborhood of small shops and offices: "a return to something more like Mayberry," -- with flowers and landscaping ie. downtown (Fairhope).

Stalmaker: "We have a great opportunity to develop a pattern for the whole mile."




NORTH SECTION

"plantation" house

Fred Hayek said he thought his property-area just south of HWY 104 (generally across from Volanta Park) was most suited for commercial/recreational uses; or some sort of historically-themed  development based around an existing old "plantation house" on Church of Christ property. A pedestrian bridge over Greeno was discussed to connect with Volanta Park.

OVERLY DISTRICT SUGGESTED

Thayer suggested that an overlay zoning district may be most suitable for Hayek's property and possibly the others' as well; and planner Nancy Milford was to look into the technicalities of such a thing for their next meeting (January).

COLONIAL ACRES RESIDENT SPEAKS

A representative from the Colonial Acres neighborhood across the street said his neighborhood would love to see something like the mixed-use village of Rosemary Beach, Florida constructed, but would not support any commercial zoning there without a firm plan: "We don't want a Burger King on the corner there." (HWY104 at Greeno).

COUNCILMAN'S COMMENTS

When asked later to comment about the legal ramifiacations associated with any new rezoning along Greeno Rd. -- in light of the ongoing lawsuits against the city regarding the stalled Village North (Dyas Triangle) and Fly Creek Village projects just to the north, Councilman Kingrea stated:

I believe they are two separate issues; however, I do believe we need to find a way to stop the lawsuits involving the Dyas family and COF.

As I understand the charge facing the N. Greeno Comm (NGC), we are to find the COF's best use for the Greeno  Rd. area between 104 and Fairhope Ave with much consideration given to the landowners'(including the folks in Colonial Acres and other residents on either side of the road) thoughts and desires. Prudent action would dictate, we look North of 104 (includes the Triangle) and South of Fairhope Ave. also.