Fairhope, Alabama
USES RESTRICTED THOUGH
The city council over-rode the Planning Commission's recommendation and rezoned residential property owned by William Wright at the northwest corner of Greeno Road/Edwards Avenue for commercial (B-1) use: a bank is being proposed for the site.
After hearing concerns about what else is allowed in B-1 zoning at the previous council meeting, the project's engineer (Larry Smith of S.E. Civil Engineering) told the council his client had agreed to self-impose deed restrictions on the property excluding it ever being used for a restaurant, dry cleaner, laundry or automobile service/gas station.
Permitted uses would remain: office space, grocery, general merchandise, personal services (banks), and indoor recreation.
NEIGHBORS EXPRESS CONCERNS
Elmer Vick, an adjoining property owner, asked the rezoning be denied based on increasing traffic on Edwards Avenue and the lack of a sidewalk there; other neighbors at previous meetings had voiced similar concerns.
Councilman Robert Brown suggested the city plan to install a sidewalk along Edwards to Ingleside Avenue; and Smith said sidewalks are to be installed in front of the bank.
PRECEDENT SET?
To out knowledge, this is the first time deed restrictions were required before rezoning property in the city; councilman Conyers said it made it "more palatable" and Robinson said he would "like to see more of it in the future."
Councilman Burrell applauded the property owner's willingness to attach the restrictions and hoped the buyer would "buy into it."
Edwards Avenue has traditionally been the north cutoff for commercial zoning on that side of the road (except for PUD's) according to the city's "village model" comprehensive growth plan map.
MORE RE-ZONINGS COMING?
The Planning Commission has already approved rezoning of the Green Nurseries property (north of Gayfer Road) to commercial (B-2); that will be considered by the city council at their next meeting.
'Park Place', A PUD (Planed Unit Development) allowing some commercial uses across from Volanta Park was also approved by the commission some time ago -- and is still awaiting the city council's consideration as well.
Other property owners all-along the highway are expected to seek commercial re-zonings as well in coming months.
The city's comprehensive growth plan map keeps that portion of N. Greeno Road residential, in response to citizens' concerns it not be turned into another congested commercial strip, like Mobile's Airport Boulevard.
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| 861 Edwards Avenue |
USES RESTRICTED THOUGH
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| Wayne Dyess, Planning Director |
After hearing concerns about what else is allowed in B-1 zoning at the previous council meeting, the project's engineer (Larry Smith of S.E. Civil Engineering) told the council his client had agreed to self-impose deed restrictions on the property excluding it ever being used for a restaurant, dry cleaner, laundry or automobile service/gas station.
Permitted uses would remain: office space, grocery, general merchandise, personal services (banks), and indoor recreation.
NEIGHBORS EXPRESS CONCERNS
Elmer Vick, an adjoining property owner, asked the rezoning be denied based on increasing traffic on Edwards Avenue and the lack of a sidewalk there; other neighbors at previous meetings had voiced similar concerns.
Councilman Robert Brown suggested the city plan to install a sidewalk along Edwards to Ingleside Avenue; and Smith said sidewalks are to be installed in front of the bank.
PRECEDENT SET?
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| Larry Smith, project engineer |
Councilman Burrell applauded the property owner's willingness to attach the restrictions and hoped the buyer would "buy into it."
Edwards Avenue has traditionally been the north cutoff for commercial zoning on that side of the road (except for PUD's) according to the city's "village model" comprehensive growth plan map.
MORE RE-ZONINGS COMING?
The Planning Commission has already approved rezoning of the Green Nurseries property (north of Gayfer Road) to commercial (B-2); that will be considered by the city council at their next meeting.
'Park Place', A PUD (Planed Unit Development) allowing some commercial uses across from Volanta Park was also approved by the commission some time ago -- and is still awaiting the city council's consideration as well.
Other property owners all-along the highway are expected to seek commercial re-zonings as well in coming months.
The city's comprehensive growth plan map keeps that portion of N. Greeno Road residential, in response to citizens' concerns it not be turned into another congested commercial strip, like Mobile's Airport Boulevard.
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| Edwards Avenue Bank plan |
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| Parcel rezoned |
Comments
Where will it be next?
Fairhope Avenue and Section Street?
The city came out way ahead by buying the Dyas triangle, it is worth far more today, a good move! I would like the city to invest inmore real estate around town, it is not spending money!
Our community loses by turning Greeno into a commercial corridor. We no longer have diverse viewpoints on the City Council. A form based code will not save us.
He appears to be a nice guy, but he does not appear to understand that Fairhope is not trying to be a big rental city.
Karin needs to fire him asap, if possible, before he literally comes out in favor of Port-A-Lets on every lot to accommodate the sewage from every homes' 'additional unit'!