Fairhope, Alabama
UPDATE; Last night (Monday, Feb 1st)), the Fly Creek PUD amendment was approved (8-1) and the 546 Greeno Rd. rezoning was not (Sugar Kettle restaurant).
Because of a technical, legal loophole by failing to approve or disapprove the PUD project at its December meeting, the commission did not officially take any formal action then -- and applicant A. Corte was able to submit an entirely new application (new fees too). This loophole has been applied to other projects in the past as well, according to Times' observations.
Designer Stuart Speed of the Leaf River Group presented more details about the proposal this time and Corte himself spoke at length as well.
Mayor Kant and two others changed and voted for the PUD amendment: It still will have to be approved by the city council. A separate, detailed site plan would have to be approved at some point in the future as well. The new presentation by Speed influenced the mayor and at least one other member, they said.
Also, the Commission proposed re-considering a zoning overly district for N. Greeno road that could eventually allow other uses there than residential. The idea was tried about 5 years ago, but went nowhere.
The entire meeting lasted over 4 hours.
END OF UPDATE
HOT-BUTTON GROWTH ISSUES RETURN
After already being heard once at the December meeting, two controversial items return to Monday's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting agenda Monday at 5PM.
In zoning matters, the commission acts only in an advisory capacity, the city council makes the final decision.
First, modified amendments to phase two of The Villages at Fly Creek PUD behind the Publix grocery are to be considered: by a narrow 5-4 vote last December a previous amendment that would have allowed more density (but about the same total number of units) and rental apartments over townhouses/condominiums was rejected -- and never considered by the full city council.
At that time, surprisingly Mayor Kant (admittedly a personal friend of property owner A. Corte) in his capacity as ex officio commission member, voted against the proposal because of potential damage to Fly Creek and no detailed storm water drainage plan was presented.
In another twist, councilman Mike Ford (another personal friend of the applicant) but who also voted against it in the first go-round, has been replaced on the commission by councilman Kevin Boone (normal rotation cycle).
And as always, one of those leading the charge against is citizen-activist Paul Ripp who lives on Parker Road, the development's main entrance. His weekly 'Freaky Friday Ripp Reports' often rant against the mayor or city employees (the latest lays out an elaborate conspiracy theory about this issue) -- and usually advocates for election "clean sweeps" of politicians if they don't do his bidding. He has opposed the so-called "Publix" project on various grounds, including damaging Fly Creek.
Rock Creek and The Woodlands neighborhood property owners association representatives opposed the first amendment as well at the December meeting -- over traffic concerns and the negative perception of rented apartments versus owner-occupied townhouses (reduced property values).
At the December meeting, some Rock Creekers seemed to confuse this Fly Creek PUD with another one proposed directly across from their neighborhood's main entrance, though.
Some Woodlanders cite this apartment development as one reason to block a proposed walking trial along US 98 past their neighborhood.
Sources tell the Times new information about traffic and drainage may be presented at Monday's meeting, as well as clarifications of state law defining the differences between apartments and town house -- but such information is never made available to the general public beforehand.
Engineers for the project and city staff counter that since the new plan's "footprint" (impervious surface area) is less than the existing plan, storm water runoff into Fly Creek will actually be considerably less; and since the total number of housing units is about the same, traffic counts will not be any greater either.
(Sources say some commission members have been coming under immense pressure to change their votes, both ways.)
COMMERCIALIZATION OF N. GREENO REVISITED
Also, a request by Jon McMurrary to rezone the property at 546 North Greeno road from residential to commercial will be heard formally: some potential business owners who may want to locate a restaurant there brought it up informally the first time in January but this time the property owner will make a formal request.
Councilman Jack Burrell is spearheading the effort behind the scenes to make N. Greeno a "commercial corridor" (click) for his constituents there, notably Mr. and Mrs. Green who have been trying for years to rezone their Green Nurseries property across the street to commercial.
He was instrumental in getting a commercial PUD approved on the Hayek property (click) about a half mile north last Fall; but that proposal still must be approved by the full city council.
Opponents worry about making the city's entrance like Mobile's Airport Boulevard and the traffic congestion it could bring.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE MEETING SCHEDULED
The latest, final version (click) of the updated 183 page comprehensive growth plan effort that began almost three years ago has received its last "tweaks" according to City Planner Smith, and is still posted online for review: it will be screened at a joint session of the City Council and Planning Commission on February 25th at 5:30. (unless plans change again).
Several town hall meetings were held for citizens in 2014 and meetings have been continuing with council members and financial "stakeholders" since then behind the scenes.
The eventual four-laning of parts of east Morphy Ave. and Gayfer Rd. are some of its interesting findings.
The N. Greeno issue is likely to come up again then as well: changes to zoning there may be contingent upon the update.
Smith said the Planning Commission is expected to take immediate action at that meeting (approve/disapprove) and the City Council may choose to act immediately as well.
The Comprehensive Plan is used only as a guide, not legally binding itself -- but about about two years ago the mayor criticized the city council for never enacting the tough legislation to successfully implement the current village plan. (click)
UPDATE; Last night (Monday, Feb 1st)), the Fly Creek PUD amendment was approved (8-1) and the 546 Greeno Rd. rezoning was not (Sugar Kettle restaurant).
Because of a technical, legal loophole by failing to approve or disapprove the PUD project at its December meeting, the commission did not officially take any formal action then -- and applicant A. Corte was able to submit an entirely new application (new fees too). This loophole has been applied to other projects in the past as well, according to Times' observations.
 |
| Speed's presentation |
Designer Stuart Speed of the Leaf River Group presented more details about the proposal this time and Corte himself spoke at length as well.
Mayor Kant and two others changed and voted for the PUD amendment: It still will have to be approved by the city council. A separate, detailed site plan would have to be approved at some point in the future as well. The new presentation by Speed influenced the mayor and at least one other member, they said.
Also, the Commission proposed re-considering a zoning overly district for N. Greeno road that could eventually allow other uses there than residential. The idea was tried about 5 years ago, but went nowhere.
The entire meeting lasted over 4 hours.
END OF UPDATE
HOT-BUTTON GROWTH ISSUES RETURN
After already being heard once at the December meeting, two controversial items return to Monday's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting agenda Monday at 5PM.
 |
| PUD amendment rejected in Dec. |
First, modified amendments to phase two of The Villages at Fly Creek PUD behind the Publix grocery are to be considered: by a narrow 5-4 vote last December a previous amendment that would have allowed more density (but about the same total number of units) and rental apartments over townhouses/condominiums was rejected -- and never considered by the full city council.
At that time, surprisingly Mayor Kant (admittedly a personal friend of property owner A. Corte) in his capacity as ex officio commission member, voted against the proposal because of potential damage to Fly Creek and no detailed storm water drainage plan was presented.
In another twist, councilman Mike Ford (another personal friend of the applicant) but who also voted against it in the first go-round, has been replaced on the commission by councilman Kevin Boone (normal rotation cycle).
 |
| Publix grocery |
Rock Creek and The Woodlands neighborhood property owners association representatives opposed the first amendment as well at the December meeting -- over traffic concerns and the negative perception of rented apartments versus owner-occupied townhouses (reduced property values).
At the December meeting, some Rock Creekers seemed to confuse this Fly Creek PUD with another one proposed directly across from their neighborhood's main entrance, though.
Some Woodlanders cite this apartment development as one reason to block a proposed walking trial along US 98 past their neighborhood.
Sources tell the Times new information about traffic and drainage may be presented at Monday's meeting, as well as clarifications of state law defining the differences between apartments and town house -- but such information is never made available to the general public beforehand.
Engineers for the project and city staff counter that since the new plan's "footprint" (impervious surface area) is less than the existing plan, storm water runoff into Fly Creek will actually be considerably less; and since the total number of housing units is about the same, traffic counts will not be any greater either.
(Sources say some commission members have been coming under immense pressure to change their votes, both ways.)
COMMERCIALIZATION OF N. GREENO REVISITED
 |
| December meeting |
Also, a request by Jon McMurrary to rezone the property at 546 North Greeno road from residential to commercial will be heard formally: some potential business owners who may want to locate a restaurant there brought it up informally the first time in January but this time the property owner will make a formal request.
Councilman Jack Burrell is spearheading the effort behind the scenes to make N. Greeno a "commercial corridor" (click) for his constituents there, notably Mr. and Mrs. Green who have been trying for years to rezone their Green Nurseries property across the street to commercial.
He was instrumental in getting a commercial PUD approved on the Hayek property (click) about a half mile north last Fall; but that proposal still must be approved by the full city council.
Opponents worry about making the city's entrance like Mobile's Airport Boulevard and the traffic congestion it could bring.
 |
| 546 N. Greeno |
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE MEETING SCHEDULED
 |
| Updated comprehensive plan |
Several town hall meetings were held for citizens in 2014 and meetings have been continuing with council members and financial "stakeholders" since then behind the scenes.
The eventual four-laning of parts of east Morphy Ave. and Gayfer Rd. are some of its interesting findings.
The N. Greeno issue is likely to come up again then as well: changes to zoning there may be contingent upon the update.
Smith said the Planning Commission is expected to take immediate action at that meeting (approve/disapprove) and the City Council may choose to act immediately as well.
The Comprehensive Plan is used only as a guide, not legally binding itself -- but about about two years ago the mayor criticized the city council for never enacting the tough legislation to successfully implement the current village plan. (click)
 |
| Councilman Burrell |
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| Airport Blvd. in Mobile |
Comments
Bet no one knows that he interned over 60 remains to the land fill while city manager in the 80's from the Colony Cemetery during the installation of the then new sewage treatment plant.They said they couldn't locate the families (all black mind you)yet many came forward after the deed.What happened to the jewelry?
Have also noticed that the new city limits sign was moved past RiverPark but the Fairhope Police Dept will NOT work any accidents in front of the store.Baldwin co Sheriff was called to work a n accident because Fairhope said it was out side the city.Quote from employees.
Can't wait to see the results of the lead testing by new residence in fruit and nut district.No new pipe work but all the trees (Corte Farms)and flowers one can stand.
I simply stood up at the December Planning Commission meeting to state that anyone who owns R-1 zoned property on North Greeno Road is at a disadvantage, I believe I stated living in R-1 on Greeno Rd is a "hardship". Can you dispute this? Anyone who spoke on the matter last night that is on the Planning Commission stated they wouldn't want to live directly on Greeno Rd, either. I also stated something could be done to prevent it looking like gasoline alley or full of fast food restaurants - something that no one in town that I know of wants, yet give relief to the property owners, and we don't have all the answers as to what that would look like. No mention was made of anyone specific, and nothing has been said since. I believe the city can come up with zoning regulations that give relief to the people "stuck" in R-1 on Greeno road without compromising aesthetics. Stop trying to make it look as if I support anything other than what was stated.
As for the lapdog post, this person obviously doesn't know me very well.
Yet, I'll bet when elections come around again all these dissenters will vote them in again.
A councilman votes and a citizen is discounted.
Friend of friends,employs friends,
If this is not a true statement,visit any public council meeting or attend any court hearing, or serve on a jury.Must be a new episode of the TV series filmed hear not so long ago,Sweet Home Alabama.Similar to Flint Michigan who now has no clean drinking water,and no where to go but down and out.They know and will do there own bidding behind closed doors covered by smiles,handshakes,and generous donations.Kinda like the Catholics hiding the guilty,and blaming the victims.