Fairhope, Alabama
Update: After hearing objections from developers. the city council decided to delay the moratorium decision until after the next city government takes office on November 7th. They said they needed more notice to prepare for the freeze which may affect financing of new projects being planned or next-phases of older projects.
SUBDIVISION MORATORIUM PROPOSED
At tonight's meeting, the city council is expected to introduce and possibly enact a six month moratorium on applications for new residential subdivisions and multiple occupancy projects within the city's five mile police jurisdiction -- to allow time to review various regulations already on the books regarding growth issues such as traffic, drainage, utility service availability and environmental protection issues -- as well as the city's comprehensive growth plan and zoning ordinance itself.
Ordinance – Relating to the subdivision regulations, declaring a moratorium on the filing of subdivision applications within the City limits and the five-mile planning jurisdiction for a period of six (6) months to address the following items: to evaluate public utility availability, address traffic issues, review and amend the City’s drainage regulations, review requirements to protect sensitive environmental areas, review of existing subdivision regulations and zoning ordinance, access management on major corridors and other traffic related concerns.
Moratorium Established. Except as hereafter set forth, a moratorium is imposed upon the acceptance and consideration of all Subdivision and Multiple Occupancy Project Applications by the City of Fairhope Planning Commission (the "Moratorium").
A moratorium had been proposed by several candidates during the recent election campaign and council member Brewer raised the issue again during the last council meeting to give time to "stop and take a breath" and "get control" to upgrade regulations and add additional planning staff if necessary.
At that time it was not known if multifamily projects and subdivision applications already submitted could be included in the moratorium: city attorney Wynne was to study recent case law to determine that and come up with precise wording for the proposed moratorium ordinance.
Since that time, sources on the Planning Commission have told the Times such a moratorium would only apply to future applications, not those already in the pipeline like the controversial Fly Creek or Battles Road apartment projects.
(Monday's regularly scheduled council meeting was moved forward to today because of scheduling issues)
Update: After hearing objections from developers. the city council decided to delay the moratorium decision until after the next city government takes office on November 7th. They said they needed more notice to prepare for the freeze which may affect financing of new projects being planned or next-phases of older projects.
SUBDIVISION MORATORIUM PROPOSED
At tonight's meeting, the city council is expected to introduce and possibly enact a six month moratorium on applications for new residential subdivisions and multiple occupancy projects within the city's five mile police jurisdiction -- to allow time to review various regulations already on the books regarding growth issues such as traffic, drainage, utility service availability and environmental protection issues -- as well as the city's comprehensive growth plan and zoning ordinance itself.
Ordinance – Relating to the subdivision regulations, declaring a moratorium on the filing of subdivision applications within the City limits and the five-mile planning jurisdiction for a period of six (6) months to address the following items: to evaluate public utility availability, address traffic issues, review and amend the City’s drainage regulations, review requirements to protect sensitive environmental areas, review of existing subdivision regulations and zoning ordinance, access management on major corridors and other traffic related concerns.
Moratorium Established. Except as hereafter set forth, a moratorium is imposed upon the acceptance and consideration of all Subdivision and Multiple Occupancy Project Applications by the City of Fairhope Planning Commission (the "Moratorium").
A moratorium had been proposed by several candidates during the recent election campaign and council member Brewer raised the issue again during the last council meeting to give time to "stop and take a breath" and "get control" to upgrade regulations and add additional planning staff if necessary.
At that time it was not known if multifamily projects and subdivision applications already submitted could be included in the moratorium: city attorney Wynne was to study recent case law to determine that and come up with precise wording for the proposed moratorium ordinance.
Since that time, sources on the Planning Commission have told the Times such a moratorium would only apply to future applications, not those already in the pipeline like the controversial Fly Creek or Battles Road apartment projects.
(Monday's regularly scheduled council meeting was moved forward to today because of scheduling issues)
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| Brewer second from left |
Comments
I used my IQ and character to obtain complete financial independence, build commercial and residential developments in Fairhope.....all the while right under everybody's nose.....while others depended on inept elected leaders.
Elected leaders tend to reflect their constituents. Fairhope is fertile for development and profitability. I'm going to take full advantage of its shortsightedness precipitated by inexperience and ignorance.
With respect to the individual demanding the removal of fire protection to those of us outside the city limits.....We never asked for city services outside the city. We do not want city services. The city council ordered city services to extend outside the city limits in an attempt to pressure those of use outside the city to bend to annexation and create contention.