More Roundabout Commercial Development Denied

Fairhope, Alabama


Northbound CR 13; Fogle property at left

FAIRHOPE AVENUE AT CR13

With one dissenting vote, the Planning Commission voted not to rezone 2.84 acres located at the southwest side of the roundabout from residential (R-2) to commercial use.

Mike Fogle
Applicant Mike Fogle argued that the new gas station directly across Fairhope Avenue and increased traffic has made the property unsuitable for a residence (his mother currently lives there) and a B-4 business and professional commercial usage would be more appropriate.

Speeding issues and the location of their driveway so close to the roundabout is problematic as well, unsafe to get in and out during peak traffic.

Fogle suggested some sort of speed control devices may be needed to slow traffic.


STAFF RECOMMENDED DENIAL

City planning staff recommended denial since it is "inconsistent with the comprehensive plan" and "incompatible with adjacent residential neighborhoods" on the south side or CR 13.

Keeping the property south of CR 13 (Oberg Lane)  which is within the city limits should be the priority.

Public Works Director Johnson said he recalled the county offered to relocate all driveways during construction of the roundabout, the Fogles apparently declined the offer at that time;  Fogle said no such offer was made.

Johnson said the city may be able to help now with right of way drainage if they wanted to relocate the driveway themselves.



city limits in color



COMMISSION VOTES AGAINST IT

Planning commission chairman Turner thought a PUD may be appropriate there instead, but that would require more acreage.

Planning Commissioner Peterson agreed with Fogle that B-4 would be more appropriate and made a motion to approve the rezoning; but it was not seconded.

Some commissioners thought more commercial there would make traffic problems worse.

Commissioner Dyas then made a motion to recommend denying the rezoning and that passed 7-1; the application now moves on to the city council for its consideration.



Property at upper right



Comments

Anonymous said…
I would not want to live there either.
Anonymous said…
You need connections at city hall to get property rezoned these days. Like what happened on north Greeno Road.
Anonymous said…
About the connections at City Hall: Sad, but just the honest truth.
Anonymous said…
On a somewhat related note down Fairhope Avenue, the old Hardee's location is proudly displaying "LEASED" by a local real estate broker. WHAT IS GOING IN THIS LOCATION? Likewise, the For Lease signs have been removed on the old Rite Aid location across from Thomas Hospital. Internal remodeling seems to be fully in play. What is to be located in this structure?
Anonymous said…
Exactly right - you can do anything in Fairhope with regard to zoning with the right council members in your pocket.
Anonymous said…
Actually that round about is not a traffic circle but an interstellar sign linked to the Mayan temples to signal star troopers where to land, sad but the honest truth
Publisher said…
We were told by a city building official some time ago the Hardee's was to be demolished and a Starbuck's located there; likewise the old Rite Aide's interior is being demolished ... but no one knew yet any additional plans.

Plans do change though ... .
Anonymous said…
Stay away from Fairhope Avenue where the new car wash is. Giving away free car washes today. Traffic backed all the way to Greeno and across. Likewise back to Ingleside. Thankfully no one in turn lane as we could go around.