Fairhope, Alabama
CALLED BATTLES TRACE
The Planning Commission unanimously approved the request of HMR engineering to subdivide approximately 34 acres on Old Battles Rd. The development, owned by Retirement Systems of Alabama, consists of 66 residential lots using the "pocket neighborhood" concept -- with narrow streets and trails in the back yards, according to engineer Scot Hutchinson.
TREE PRESERVATION AN ISSUE
All of the larger trees (over 20" diameter) will be saved, but a significant number of smaller ones will still have to be removed, according to city horticulturist Jennifer Fidler.
Fidler: "They are saving the largest grove of the trees ... but there's going to be a significant amount of trees that will need to be removed ... but the largest trees are saved ... one of the best scenarios ... ."
Hutchinson requested -- and got -- approval from the commission to locate utilities under the streets (instead of the usual right -of-ways along their sides) -- to save more trees.
A tree preserve will be maintained on the SE corner of the property where many of the largest live oaks are located.
The city's tree-protection ordinance does not apply to the TR District property.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
After nearby Houston Place resident Horace Gilbert voiced his concerns about removing too many trees and possible light-pollution (ie. from tennis courts, etc.) from the property, Hutchinson assured him as many trees as possible will be saved and no unusually bright lights will be installed there.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved the request of HMR engineering to subdivide approximately 34 acres on Old Battles Rd. The development, owned by Retirement Systems of Alabama, consists of 66 residential lots using the "pocket neighborhood" concept -- with narrow streets and trails in the back yards, according to engineer Scot Hutchinson.
TREE PRESERVATION AN ISSUE
All of the larger trees (over 20" diameter) will be saved, but a significant number of smaller ones will still have to be removed, according to city horticulturist Jennifer Fidler.
Fidler: "They are saving the largest grove of the trees ... but there's going to be a significant amount of trees that will need to be removed ... but the largest trees are saved ... one of the best scenarios ... ."
Hutchinson requested -- and got -- approval from the commission to locate utilities under the streets (instead of the usual right -of-ways along their sides) -- to save more trees.
A tree preserve will be maintained on the SE corner of the property where many of the largest live oaks are located.
The city's tree-protection ordinance does not apply to the TR District property.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
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