Fairhope, Alabama
UPDATE: This project is actually located further east in the picture, past the tree line.
'GRANDE POINTE' PHASE ONE
The Planning Commission approved plans for an upscale motor-coach park for 39 acres on the north side of Highway 104, east of Higbee Road.
(Editor's note: This meeting occurred earlier this month, before the current six-month development moratorium commenced.)
Phase one will consist of 45 lots to be sold, not rented -- with space on each lot for the motorhome and a small, permanent micro-cottage/bungalow if the owner chooses to construct one.
Since the area is outside of city limits in un-zoned Baldwin County, the county Planning Commission had already given its approval; but the city does have limited jurisdiction as well within its five mile planning jurisdiction.
Developer Pat Achee told the commission "the time is right ... people with these coaches want to come here ... spend two or three months ... no spaces available now."
An engineer for the developer called it a "high end project ... not a RV park ... or campground": the lots will be purchased, individually owned and governed by covenants like with a traditional homeowner's association.
A traffic study was completed and ALDOT had granted them an access drive from the highway he said (no traffic light or turning lane).
Such motor coaches cost over $225K and are usually owned by retirees over sixty years of age who travel full time, Achee added.
NEIGHBORS' CONCERNS
One direct neighbor worried about noise from generators on the coaches and was told that it would be required they hook up to "shore power" while parked there so generators would not be running all the time: they may run periodically though.
Another neighbor was concerned about the explosive residential development along that stretch of Highway 104 and the long term prospects for motorhome resort there: could it become a conventional RV park in ten years?
The motorhomes will not be visible from the highway and since residents have not-yet adopted zoning in that area, there is no way to control land use at this time.
No timeline for construction was mentioned.
UPDATE: This project is actually located further east in the picture, past the tree line.
 |
| Hwy 104 east of Higbee Road |
'GRANDE POINTE' PHASE ONE
The Planning Commission approved plans for an upscale motor-coach park for 39 acres on the north side of Highway 104, east of Higbee Road.
(Editor's note: This meeting occurred earlier this month, before the current six-month development moratorium commenced.)
Phase one will consist of 45 lots to be sold, not rented -- with space on each lot for the motorhome and a small, permanent micro-cottage/bungalow if the owner chooses to construct one.
 |
| typical "motorcoach" |
Since the area is outside of city limits in un-zoned Baldwin County, the county Planning Commission had already given its approval; but the city does have limited jurisdiction as well within its five mile planning jurisdiction.
Developer Pat Achee told the commission "the time is right ... people with these coaches want to come here ... spend two or three months ... no spaces available now."
An engineer for the developer called it a "high end project ... not a RV park ... or campground": the lots will be purchased, individually owned and governed by covenants like with a traditional homeowner's association.
A traffic study was completed and ALDOT had granted them an access drive from the highway he said (no traffic light or turning lane).
Such motor coaches cost over $225K and are usually owned by retirees over sixty years of age who travel full time, Achee added.
NEIGHBORS' CONCERNS
 |
| Achee standing |
One direct neighbor worried about noise from generators on the coaches and was told that it would be required they hook up to "shore power" while parked there so generators would not be running all the time: they may run periodically though.
Another neighbor was concerned about the explosive residential development along that stretch of Highway 104 and the long term prospects for motorhome resort there: could it become a conventional RV park in ten years?
The motorhomes will not be visible from the highway and since residents have not-yet adopted zoning in that area, there is no way to control land use at this time.
No timeline for construction was mentioned.
Comments
If anyone would do the research on this issue they will find older Americans are selling their homes to buy a condo on wheels. Many will purchase a lot of this nature for a 'home base' then travel around the country returning back when they chose.
Having a motorhome is no different than having a summer home or a second home. Most have more square feet than many one-bedroom condos, the beauty of this is you can take your condo around the country. Having a cottage beside the motorhome is even better.
Many homes here in Fairhope are the second home, to make a statement of this sort is comical, please do your research before you engage your...
Drive down to Orange Beach and check a few of these type of communities out.
This only issue that one could see is if this motorcoach community allows 5th-wheels or campers. If this is going to be a motorcoach community then it should not allow any coaches under 40 feet in the property.
One final note, when you do your research, most of the motorcoaches that are 45 feet cost or start around $450,000 and one that is pictured cost around $1,700,00. Those that can afford these type of coaches are highly educated, and great people.
In fair disclosure, I sold my home in 2012, and have been living in our motorhome since. Love the lifestyle and yes, my spouse and I are both professionals with advanced degrees!
Fairhope is NOT a transient medium stay city.It is usually a minimum of 30 day stay you rent your property.Now If the lots are SOLD as said what is tho stop the owner from weekly rentals?Just as is done with many private homes.As it is along CR 1 this is a no no.If these questions are mute then the planning and zoning efforts are as well.
Sewer service will be city of Fairhope according to the project's engineer.
I purchased my coach during the economic downturn (great recession) and maybe my depreciation was limited. Perhaps I purchased this coach for a great price and could sell it today for close to what I paid for it. Before you make an assumption, not all the facts.
AND BTW, my spouse is a CPA...so...
What a mess this zoning and planning has become.Wonder who got paid for this one? Baldwin Co Alabama a good lawyer knows the law and better one knows the Judge.See last local ballot were most ran unposed and no report of no confidence vote tally.