Fairhope, Alabama
fairhopetimes@att.net
SOUTH HIGHWAY 181
Monday, the Planning Commission unanimously approved a 228 lot Planned Unit Development -- to be called Firethorne -- on 126 acres on Hwy 181, south and west of the existing Quail Creek Subdivision; if approved by the city council, the property will simultaneously be annexed into the city limits.
The average size of the R-1 lots will be 17,000 square feet, for a density of 1.8 units per acre; a clubhouse is included, according to Planning Director Johnathan Smith.
Since the area is currently un-zoned, the property could be developed similarly anyway (without annexing into the city) -- under the jurisdiction of Baldwin County. Only the city's less-stringent subdivision regulations would then apply.
The project is to be developed in phases over many years and its main entrance will be adjacent to Bay Meadows Dr. -- where a traffic signal may eventually be needed.
Traffic and drainage studies will have to be completed as well; and the maximum height allowed is to be 35 feet (vs. the usual 30'). Smith had recommended a 30' maximum.
The lot sizes will generally be larger than those at adjacent Quail Creek.
NO CONNECTION TO QUAIL CREEK
Planning Commission Chairman Lee Turner asked why there was no connection to the main entrance road to Quail Creek (Quail Creek Dr.) -- and was told by Smith that a prior city council had passed an ordinance specifically prohibiting more connections to that subdivision (See City Ord. Chapter 19.66).
There could be a connection to the Stone Creek neighborhood to the south though.
[Connectivity is a method recommended by urban planners as a way to control so-called suburban sprawl (click): isolated subdivisions cut off from the rest of the community -- with only one entrance causing excessive traffic congestion on major roads. It is currently a component of Fairhope's Comprehensive Plan (Section 4.4.2 click), but in practice is often over-ridden by the objections of residents in the affected neighborhoods.]
Commission member Diana Brewer worried about the increased traffic on Hwy 181, in light of recent comments from ALDOT (MPO) that money would not be available for further widening there for many years.
Engineer Steve Pumprey of Preble Rish Inc., replied that the project would be developed slowly in phases over many years and the developer, Bellator Inc., would install a traffic light and turning lanes if required by ALDOT after the traffic study.
A short stretch of the highway to the north was recently widened to 3 lanes.
The city council must still approve the zoning change and annexation.
OTHER ACTIONS
* Gave a thumbs up to possibly rezoning property at the corner of Morphy and Bishop Aves. from R-6 (mobile homes) to R-4 --- whenever a formal request of made by the owner, Bobby Faust. Up to about 17 units could be permitted there. Debra Green of adjacent Green Nurseries spoke against -- over possible drainage, traffic, crime and other concerns.
* Required developers to install sidewalks prior to getting final plat approval, rather than post -construction -- to prevent sidewalk gaps; and the city having to possibly come in later using taxpayer dollars for completion. Developer Rance Reehl spoke against -- over concerns about possible sidewalk damage during construction.
SOUTH HIGHWAY 181
Monday, the Planning Commission unanimously approved a 228 lot Planned Unit Development -- to be called Firethorne -- on 126 acres on Hwy 181, south and west of the existing Quail Creek Subdivision; if approved by the city council, the property will simultaneously be annexed into the city limits.
The average size of the R-1 lots will be 17,000 square feet, for a density of 1.8 units per acre; a clubhouse is included, according to Planning Director Johnathan Smith.
Since the area is currently un-zoned, the property could be developed similarly anyway (without annexing into the city) -- under the jurisdiction of Baldwin County. Only the city's less-stringent subdivision regulations would then apply.
The project is to be developed in phases over many years and its main entrance will be adjacent to Bay Meadows Dr. -- where a traffic signal may eventually be needed.Traffic and drainage studies will have to be completed as well; and the maximum height allowed is to be 35 feet (vs. the usual 30'). Smith had recommended a 30' maximum.
The lot sizes will generally be larger than those at adjacent Quail Creek.
NO CONNECTION TO QUAIL CREEK
Planning Commission Chairman Lee Turner asked why there was no connection to the main entrance road to Quail Creek (Quail Creek Dr.) -- and was told by Smith that a prior city council had passed an ordinance specifically prohibiting more connections to that subdivision (See City Ord. Chapter 19.66).
There could be a connection to the Stone Creek neighborhood to the south though.
[Connectivity is a method recommended by urban planners as a way to control so-called suburban sprawl (click): isolated subdivisions cut off from the rest of the community -- with only one entrance causing excessive traffic congestion on major roads. It is currently a component of Fairhope's Comprehensive Plan (Section 4.4.2 click), but in practice is often over-ridden by the objections of residents in the affected neighborhoods.]
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| Pumphrey |
Engineer Steve Pumprey of Preble Rish Inc., replied that the project would be developed slowly in phases over many years and the developer, Bellator Inc., would install a traffic light and turning lanes if required by ALDOT after the traffic study.
A short stretch of the highway to the north was recently widened to 3 lanes.
The city council must still approve the zoning change and annexation.
OTHER ACTIONS
* Gave a thumbs up to possibly rezoning property at the corner of Morphy and Bishop Aves. from R-6 (mobile homes) to R-4 --- whenever a formal request of made by the owner, Bobby Faust. Up to about 17 units could be permitted there. Debra Green of adjacent Green Nurseries spoke against -- over possible drainage, traffic, crime and other concerns.
* Required developers to install sidewalks prior to getting final plat approval, rather than post -construction -- to prevent sidewalk gaps; and the city having to possibly come in later using taxpayer dollars for completion. Developer Rance Reehl spoke against -- over concerns about possible sidewalk damage during construction.
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