Fairhope, Alabama
Shortly after a much bigger one on the north side was denied last Monday, the city's planning commission approved a smaller apartment complex on the south side of town by a 4-2 vote.
Phase one of Old Battles Place will consist of 110 duplex apartment units on land already zoned R-5 within the city limits at the northeast corner of Section Street (CR3) and Old Battles Road: the approval requested by HMR Engineering was voluntarily tabled from the September meeting to allow more time to address concerns raised then over traffic, landscaping and sewage utility service: all of those issues had been resolved according to planning director Smith.
The applicant also requested a waiver from the commission of the Low Impact Development storm water drainage requirements, because natural soil conditions do not permit its full implementation on this site.
Smith said that additional conventional drainage methods met the city's usual standard that post construction runoff from the site be be no more than pre-construction.
(The new LID standards were adopted by the city council about a year ago)
MAYOR-ELECT LED OPPOSITION
As with the project on the north side, Mayor-elect Karin Wilson spoke in opposition because the minimum drainage requirements had not been met, 10 of 15 LID methods were not implemented; she also questioned how a proper traffic study could have been done since CR3 is closed for repairs.
Wilson: "The application is incomplete ... a minimum of 10 are required ... this is an unusual development ... need an independent study done ... if going to waive our requirements ... ."
Project engineer Scot Hutchinson replied that the traffic study was done using county data obtained well before the road was closed for repairs and it found that traffic volume was not sufficient to warrant improvements to the roads at this time: no turning lanes or 4 way stop at the intersection needed.
He also said a third party engineer (Tim Wally) did look at the drainage and concurred with the findings: minimum LID could not be implemented because of soil conditions at the site.
Wilson, backed by a room full of citizens, said they were all frustrated the "commission seems not to come up with solutions to protect citizens ... only shows flexibility when it comes to the developers."
Commission chairman Lee Turner explained how Alabama is "a property rights state" where laws often side with property owners: any decision the commission makes must be based on the applicable laws on the books and may be appealed to civil court.
Commissioner Boone made the motion for approval, seconded by Clark; Roberbs and Turner also voted aye, Robinson and MacKellar nay.
 |
| CR3 at Old Battles Rd. site |
Shortly after a much bigger one on the north side was denied last Monday, the city's planning commission approved a smaller apartment complex on the south side of town by a 4-2 vote.
 |
| duplex rendering |
The applicant also requested a waiver from the commission of the Low Impact Development storm water drainage requirements, because natural soil conditions do not permit its full implementation on this site.
Smith said that additional conventional drainage methods met the city's usual standard that post construction runoff from the site be be no more than pre-construction.
(The new LID standards were adopted by the city council about a year ago)
MAYOR-ELECT LED OPPOSITION
 |
| Wilson at left |
Wilson: "The application is incomplete ... a minimum of 10 are required ... this is an unusual development ... need an independent study done ... if going to waive our requirements ... ."
Project engineer Scot Hutchinson replied that the traffic study was done using county data obtained well before the road was closed for repairs and it found that traffic volume was not sufficient to warrant improvements to the roads at this time: no turning lanes or 4 way stop at the intersection needed.
He also said a third party engineer (Tim Wally) did look at the drainage and concurred with the findings: minimum LID could not be implemented because of soil conditions at the site.
Wilson, backed by a room full of citizens, said they were all frustrated the "commission seems not to come up with solutions to protect citizens ... only shows flexibility when it comes to the developers."
Commission chairman Lee Turner explained how Alabama is "a property rights state" where laws often side with property owners: any decision the commission makes must be based on the applicable laws on the books and may be appealed to civil court.
Commissioner Boone made the motion for approval, seconded by Clark; Roberbs and Turner also voted aye, Robinson and MacKellar nay.
 |
| Wilson, Hutchinson, Wally (speaking) |
 |
| site plan |
 |
| site |
Comments
Brett C Mitchell
However, the crime in Mobile, coupled with the growth in Mobile's industry, has created a huge market for Baldwin County residences b/c of the white flight factor. This will only increase in the future. I wish that I had bought into Fairhope many decades ago. Those who did are selling now for mega-multiples of their original investments.
No one in Fairhope wants only 'high end' residents; however, any piece of property now being developed should be developed to its highest potential to ensure a steady stream of tax revenue to the city that is supplying services to that piece of property (and to the schools).
My initial point is that the demand for waterfront will increase exponentially; this is good for those who purchased decades ago and will make big bucks on the sale……..and those are the ones who are selling out now!
Can't have it both ways, sadly.
Pay attention, you may be missing something.
I'd like to hear more about this job growth in Mobile where the pay affords their employees the ability to afford almost $200 per square foot construction in "walkable Fairhope".