Fairhope, Alabama
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETS
At a specially-called meeting last week, Planning Director Johnathan Smith presented the three best proposals (out of six submissions) for the update of the city's Comprehensive Growth Plan.
Smith declined to rate the final three -- saying instead that in his opinion the finalists were a cut above the rest and "all are very capable of doing what we need them to do."
* Kendrig Keast Inc: based in Sugarland, Texas. with Mobile's Neel Schafer Engineering.
* Goodwyn, Mills and Cagwood: based in Montgomery with an office in Fairhope; and five others.
* Thompson Engineering: based in Mobile with Watkins Arcy Strunk Design (of Foley) and consultant/urban planner Glen Leroy.
Smith said he was restricted by state law from discussing possible costs at this stage (according to the city's Purchasing Director); but noted that GMC estimated the fewest man-hours would be needed, followed by Kendrig Keast and then Thompson.
He said it is virtually impossible to determine the scope of the project at this point (total man-hours needed): the input from the public at town hall meetings will determine that.
The plan could be just updated -- or significantly changed, according to the input received during the process.
Smith said the GMC team was the largest one -- with some participants from "outside of the area": Ga., N.C., etc.
He called the Thompson team's "a very local group." According to publicly-available records, several individuals live in Fairhope or nearby. (John Baker, Chris Baker (no relation), Troy Strunk.)
Smith said those things are considerations, but "the final decision by the city council will be based upon professional qualifications and the experience the firms have to offer."
DISCUSSION
Several Commissioners were impressed with the Kendrig Keast team's presentation -- especially for its emphasis on implementation methods; but some thought it would be best for an entirely new plan ("starting from scratch") -- not an update or just "tweaking" the original -- as is the intention here.
GMC was praised for its professionalism -- and including a retail development strategist in their group; but some worried the team was too big and may be hard to access since several members are based out of state.
The Thompson team was praised for its "enthusiasm" and familiarity with the city's current 'village' comprehensive plan: especially Christopher Baker, who was the city's Planning Director when the original plan was formulated in 2001; and Glen Leroy who consulted on the project at that time. He also participated in the last update in 2006 - 07. Others thought their presentation lacked specifics.
SELECTION MADE
After members expressed their individual preferences, the Commission voted 8 - 1 to recommend the Thompson Engineering team be hired for the Comprehensive Plan update (click).
Mayor Kant voted for the Thompson team..
Commissioner Jack Burrell rated GMC on top, Thompson second.
Most-cited reasons were the easy access to the staff of a local, well-known firm; and the knowledge and experience ("long history") Christopher Baker and Glen LeRoy have with the city's current plan that they helped formulate it in 2001 -- and update in 2006.
(Baker served as the city's Planning Director from 1999 - 2005; Leroy worked for planning consulting firm Gould, Evans and Goodman -- who were assisting the city with the plan at that time.)
The city council is set to vote on final approval at Monday's meeting.
It could accept the Planning Commission's recommendation, choose another team -- or delay the decision altogether.
CITIZENS' CONCERNS
At a strategic planning town hall meeting concerning Fairhope's future held last month at the library, some citizens questioned the need for any changes at all: the current plan is fine as is -- but just had not been adequately implemented or enforced by the city over the years.
Karin Wilson: "... we've been there ... done that ... didn't follow that vision ... takes city government to abide by it ... so it sticks ... ."
GaryTurner (pictured below) and others worried about new "uncontrolled growth" and big box stores ruining the town.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETS
At a specially-called meeting last week, Planning Director Johnathan Smith presented the three best proposals (out of six submissions) for the update of the city's Comprehensive Growth Plan.
Smith declined to rate the final three -- saying instead that in his opinion the finalists were a cut above the rest and "all are very capable of doing what we need them to do."
* Kendrig Keast Inc: based in Sugarland, Texas. with Mobile's Neel Schafer Engineering.
* Goodwyn, Mills and Cagwood: based in Montgomery with an office in Fairhope; and five others.
* Thompson Engineering: based in Mobile with Watkins Arcy Strunk Design (of Foley) and consultant/urban planner Glen Leroy.
Smith said he was restricted by state law from discussing possible costs at this stage (according to the city's Purchasing Director); but noted that GMC estimated the fewest man-hours would be needed, followed by Kendrig Keast and then Thompson.
He said it is virtually impossible to determine the scope of the project at this point (total man-hours needed): the input from the public at town hall meetings will determine that.
The plan could be just updated -- or significantly changed, according to the input received during the process.
Smith said the GMC team was the largest one -- with some participants from "outside of the area": Ga., N.C., etc.
He called the Thompson team's "a very local group." According to publicly-available records, several individuals live in Fairhope or nearby. (John Baker, Chris Baker (no relation), Troy Strunk.)
Smith said those things are considerations, but "the final decision by the city council will be based upon professional qualifications and the experience the firms have to offer."
DISCUSSION
Several Commissioners were impressed with the Kendrig Keast team's presentation -- especially for its emphasis on implementation methods; but some thought it would be best for an entirely new plan ("starting from scratch") -- not an update or just "tweaking" the original -- as is the intention here.
GMC was praised for its professionalism -- and including a retail development strategist in their group; but some worried the team was too big and may be hard to access since several members are based out of state.
The Thompson team was praised for its "enthusiasm" and familiarity with the city's current 'village' comprehensive plan: especially Christopher Baker, who was the city's Planning Director when the original plan was formulated in 2001; and Glen Leroy who consulted on the project at that time. He also participated in the last update in 2006 - 07. Others thought their presentation lacked specifics.
SELECTION MADE
After members expressed their individual preferences, the Commission voted 8 - 1 to recommend the Thompson Engineering team be hired for the Comprehensive Plan update (click).
Mayor Kant voted for the Thompson team..
Commissioner Jack Burrell rated GMC on top, Thompson second.
Most-cited reasons were the easy access to the staff of a local, well-known firm; and the knowledge and experience ("long history") Christopher Baker and Glen LeRoy have with the city's current plan that they helped formulate it in 2001 -- and update in 2006.
(Baker served as the city's Planning Director from 1999 - 2005; Leroy worked for planning consulting firm Gould, Evans and Goodman -- who were assisting the city with the plan at that time.)
The city council is set to vote on final approval at Monday's meeting.
It could accept the Planning Commission's recommendation, choose another team -- or delay the decision altogether.
CITIZENS' CONCERNS
%2B0%2B00%2B24-07.jpg) |
| Karin Wilson |
At a strategic planning town hall meeting concerning Fairhope's future held last month at the library, some citizens questioned the need for any changes at all: the current plan is fine as is -- but just had not been adequately implemented or enforced by the city over the years.
Karin Wilson: "... we've been there ... done that ... didn't follow that vision ... takes city government to abide by it ... so it sticks ... ."
%2B0%2B00%2B31-19.jpg) |
| Gary Turner |
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