Fairhope, Alabama
SITE PLAN REVIEWED
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the application by well-known local developer/realtor Trae Corte for 'The Verandas', a 214 lot 'Village Subdivision' at the SW corner of the intersection of Hwy 104 and Lawrence Road in east Fairhope (east of the '3 Circle Church' and outside of city limits).
The development will be in phases on the 263 acres with 208 residential and six commercial lots at the west end along 104: areas are dedicated for green space, wetlands and "future development" as well.
Lot areas will vary in size with none under 8,500 square feet: typically a minimum 15,000 sq. ft/ lot is required for un-zoned county property like this -- but because this is a Village Subdivision the normal standards for density do not apply in this case, according to planning director Smith.
There are to be three entrances from Hwy 104 and two from Lawrence Road.
The location is slightly east of the "village node" indicated on the city's comprehensive growth plan map at the 104/181 intersection; but not significantly Smith said.
Corte requested two changes to the plan he had submitted:
1. The road across the wetland area would be deleted and replaced by a walking boardwalk instead and another access entrance to the eastern-most lots added from Hwy 104 (at lot #104).
2. If the state and the county do not allow sidewalks along Hwy 104 and Lawrence Roads (insufficient right-of-way), they will be constructed along the edge of the development itself instead.
PUBLIC INPUT
Citizens who live nearby worried about infrastructure, drainage and traffic issues, and the "price point" of the homes to be sold there. Corte said drainage and traffic studies/plans would be completed as required -- and the price point would be on the "high end" from $300K to $700K: to be completed in 5 or 6 phases over years.
Fairhope resident Bobby Green insisted a proper tree survey be done to protect the many large heritage trees on the property (live oaks, mostly) according to the city's tree ordinance -- but was told by Smith the tree ordinance usually does not apply in cases like this outside city limits: superseded instead by tree/landscaping sections of the subdivision regulations (he was to check into it further to make sure).
Corte assured protection of the valuable oaks is a high priority, a reason he purchased the property.
Approval contingent upon an acceptable traffic study/plan, drainage and landscaping plan, appropriate buffers where commercial meets residential, sidewalks along Hwy 104 and Lawrence Road (or appropriate substitutes), and all other requirements of applicable subdivision/building regulations met.
SOME WAIVERS STILL NEEDED
Corte advised that he would not be able to meet the subdivision regulation's Low Impact Development (LID) drainage standards (10 of 15 listed methods implemented), because site soil conditions/topography would not permit it: A waiver would need to be granted as has been done in other cases.
He said he would also need a waiver for the 35' maximum building height standard.
(The property is not contiguous to city limits, so annexation is not possible at this time.)
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| The Verandas (north is up) |
SITE PLAN REVIEWED
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the application by well-known local developer/realtor Trae Corte for 'The Verandas', a 214 lot 'Village Subdivision' at the SW corner of the intersection of Hwy 104 and Lawrence Road in east Fairhope (east of the '3 Circle Church' and outside of city limits).
 |
| Hwy 104 east of 181 |
Lot areas will vary in size with none under 8,500 square feet: typically a minimum 15,000 sq. ft/ lot is required for un-zoned county property like this -- but because this is a Village Subdivision the normal standards for density do not apply in this case, according to planning director Smith.
There are to be three entrances from Hwy 104 and two from Lawrence Road.
The location is slightly east of the "village node" indicated on the city's comprehensive growth plan map at the 104/181 intersection; but not significantly Smith said.
Corte requested two changes to the plan he had submitted:
1. The road across the wetland area would be deleted and replaced by a walking boardwalk instead and another access entrance to the eastern-most lots added from Hwy 104 (at lot #104).
2. If the state and the county do not allow sidewalks along Hwy 104 and Lawrence Roads (insufficient right-of-way), they will be constructed along the edge of the development itself instead.
PUBLIC INPUT
Citizens who live nearby worried about infrastructure, drainage and traffic issues, and the "price point" of the homes to be sold there. Corte said drainage and traffic studies/plans would be completed as required -- and the price point would be on the "high end" from $300K to $700K: to be completed in 5 or 6 phases over years.
 |
| Trae Corte |
Corte assured protection of the valuable oaks is a high priority, a reason he purchased the property.
Approval contingent upon an acceptable traffic study/plan, drainage and landscaping plan, appropriate buffers where commercial meets residential, sidewalks along Hwy 104 and Lawrence Road (or appropriate substitutes), and all other requirements of applicable subdivision/building regulations met.
SOME WAIVERS STILL NEEDED
Corte advised that he would not be able to meet the subdivision regulation's Low Impact Development (LID) drainage standards (10 of 15 listed methods implemented), because site soil conditions/topography would not permit it: A waiver would need to be granted as has been done in other cases.
He said he would also need a waiver for the 35' maximum building height standard.
(The property is not contiguous to city limits, so annexation is not possible at this time.)
Comments
By the way, when the church lets out on sunday that cop makes us stop and wait and wait and wait ... .
'Six commercial lots'
'35 foot height variance needed'
Hello big box stores!
Good thing the new mayor was going to change the way things are approved here.
This is the same P&Z commission that we've had.
And lastly, once again concern from local citizens was ignored.
This is why we have new leadership in Fairhope.
The next house cleaning? P&Z.
That may not be such a bad idea.
resent Fairhope and its high property values as well as high end subdivisions like Rock Creek and Sandy Ford. We need more high end subdivisions to retain overall property values and to maintain the high end character and charm of Fairhope. Of course the sour grapes folks brand this as being elite. Well guess what? Elite in many places is something folks strive for.
I am sure Horton will end up here too, perhaps with their Emerald Homes Division