New Downtown Boutique Hotel Gets Partial Approval

Fairhope, Alabama



NUMBER OF FLOORS TO BE DETERMINED

Dyess addressing Board
By a 4-1 vote, the city's Board of Adjustments and Appeals granted a special exception for B2-zoned property at 10 N. Section Street to be used for a hotel; but decided to delay its decision on a concurrent request for a variance to allow a four story building until its next meeting in January.

(Variances require that some sort of "hardship" to be demonstrated.)

City Planning Director Wayne Dyess recommended approval of the hotel use ... but denying the request for four stories since city ordinances permit only three (40 ft. total height).

No one spoke against the project during the public participation portion of the meeting.

Dyess defined a "boutique" hotel as a "small" hotel, in this case only 9-12 rooms.


WAV DESIGNED

Clay Adams of Walcott Adams and Vernuelle  Architecture Llc. presented the proposal on behalf of Matt Bauers (Black Oak Holdings).  Bauers also owns a Nissan auto dealership in Daphne.

Architect Clay Adams
Adams described it as a "unique" project that will "respect its important location in the center of town" and embrace the familiar clock and nearby city-owned courtyard in the overall design.

He said the bottom floor will likely be comprised of a  lobby and retail space that will be leased (shops, restaurant) and upper floors used for rooms, 3 or 4 per floor; each room would have its own local theme that reflects the city such as history, art, nautical, etc.

Adams said he envisioned check in would be online, with minimal employees actually present at the hotel.


PARKING A CONCERN

Board members expressed concerns about parking but were told by Dyess there were no requirements for parking in the downtown business district (for commercial property); it would be about the same as for current businesses operating there by his calculations, about 9 spaces.

Adams noted the city's nearby parking garage could be utilized as well.

Another member wondered it they could deny the 4 floor request since the nearby Hampton Inn is four stories; that was done some time ago under different regulations (35ft height limit then).

Members wanted more time to consider the number of floors so they tabled it until their next meeting.


MORE APPROVAL NEEDED

Dyess said the city's Planning Commission will still have to approve the multi-occupancy project's final detailed site plan, as will the city council eventually.



Proposed site









Comments

Anonymous said…
If Dyess, who appears to be in favor of paving over the entire Fairhope city limits, opposes this, the PC and CC should take heed and follow his lead by denying this; however, money talks and has apparently spoken.
The hotel itself sounds perfect, but the 4 story variance is just wrong for our city center.
Anonymous said…
Looks like a good plan. An asset for the city.
Anonymous said…
The commenter who is in favor of 4 stories must be on of the developers or paid architects/builders. When will anyone in Fairhope make a decision for the good of the city? I understand pay for play but this is absurd!
Anonymous said…
Uh, the Hampton Inn a stone's throw down the street is four stories.
Lauren Allen said…
I wonder if the concept “Less is more” has ever crossed their minds??? I am a 5th generation local, and these people are doing everything they can to destroy what makes Fairhope so special. I get growth is a good thing, but steady reasonable growth. Not throwing up a hotel in the middle of Fairhope or the carwash up the road from there!!! We will will be just like every other town stripped of its one of a kind cultural and qualities to be smothered by an overwhelming amount of retail and traffic!
Felix Bean said…
9 to 12 rooms taking up an estimated 9 parking spaces, 4 stories, competition for Hamptonwith public Parking 1 1/2 blocks away. The structure is not ugly, at least in my opinion. Jobs will be created, breakfast foods sold. Surely the city is bigger than this. Felix Bean.
Felix Bean said…
I agree. Not ugly in my opinion. 9 to 12 rooms using 9 parking spaces. Jobs will be created, breakfast foods sold. Good idea.
Anonymous said…
Can someone please stop the greed and money hungry people in Fairhope! Ordinance and regulations are in place for just this reason! No variance!!!
Anthony said…
If the building site were blighted--a longtime eyesore in the middle of town--our board might be well-justified in granting the height variance. This, however, is not the case. Moreover, the argument that the Hampton Inn requires this variance is a dangerous one, as it allows an exception to swallow the rule. For a governing body, discretion becomes an empty promise if it can have no application.
Having some competition and variety in our hospitality sector would be a fine thing, and the boutique concept seems made to measure for Fairhope. Developers, however, serve a different master: the bottom line. Which is why they often seek concessions that increase the profitability of their projects. This is highly rational, often ethical, behavior. A municipality, though, must adopt a broader perspective. Yes, we need and must respect the risk-taking entrepreneurs who create the amenities and generate the tax revenues required for civic excellence. We must not, however, relent to their every plea of special circumstances. While we must be business friendly, very business friendly, we must be willing to let developers walk away when their visions are at odds with Fairhope's vision.
The proposed building's elevations--most notably in the view from Section Street--are aesthetically discordant with the building's environs. Though far from being architecturally tragic, the structure would strike a false note, a note that would sound for years to come.
I sincerely hope that the developers can find a way to move forward (and profit handsomely), but do so while playing by the rules and respecting the sensibilities of an enchantingly unusual city that has every right to protect and defend each of the many variables that amalgamate to create that enchantment.
Anonymous said…
There are only two things that make fhope unique. The pier and the attitude that their unique. If you take away the pier you would not be able tell it from most towns the same size.
Anonymous said…
Nice building. No problem.
Richard said…
Nice idea...but that hotel is just gonna LOOM over that intersection. They should flip north-south the L-shape of the building so that the patio is on the intersection-side of the lot, giving pedestrians/drivers a bit of a "breather", particularly for the corner clock (which will otherwise be overpowered by a proximate 40-foot building). Just a suggestion.
Anonymous said…
"There are only two things that make fhope unique. The pier and the attitude that their unique. If you take away the pier you would not be able tell it from most towns the same size"

Very true. Fairhope is the ONLY coastal town in America that has a pier, and NO other geographical/cultural area in the world has any sense of identity. This never occurred to me until right now--probably because I am an unsophisticated provincial with perversely inflated feelings of goodwill.

Now that my thinking has been corrected, I will be moving to a less horrible place ASAP. I strongly urge anyone else who shares this insight to move away even faster. Fairhope does not deserve you.
Anonymous said…
Thank you for validating point number 2, attitude!
Anonymous said…
One morning while walking by the bay I was stopped by some out of town guests and asked "where is the Fairhope pier?" When I pointed it out to them (clearly in their line of sight) they said "that's it????"
Only Fairhope thinks there is something special about Fairhope. #thefairhopeway
Will Bruce said…
It looks like a towering, dominating abomination for THE most pleasing and important intersection in downtown Fairhope.
Anonymous said…
The comment from Anthony nails it. Especially this - "We must be willing to let developers walk away when their visions are at odds with Fairhope's vision."

If they can't fit their plans into our vision, oh well. Someone else will take their place. We did not become a high-demand city by selling out to developers. They need us more than we need them. The bar should be high.
Anonymous said…
I’m scratching my head trying to understand the difference between a 3 story 30’ building and a 4 story 30’ building. Last time I checked 30’ was still 30’.
Publisher said…
Ceilings on each floor may higher, 10' instead of 8' for instance ... and details on the roof more elaborate vs. flat.

The maximum building height is now 40' ... but with three stories only ... without a variance.
Anonymous said…
I say make it 75' tall with 6 floors, then put a neon sign on top that states - Welcome to Fairhope! Maybe those that live across the bay in Mobile can read the sign and realize moving west into Mississippi is not a bad idea!
Anonymous said…
Take a look at the construction all along the Eastern shore and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, hey fhope its not just you, people are coming for the jobs, the lower cost of living and the climate, its not about you fhope!
Anonymous said…
Even a pig farmer admires his herd.
Anonymous said…
And we thought the last administration was a corrupt environment.The back door payouts are the the resounding problem through out the city county and state.
Anonymous said…
What is wrong with being a pig farmer? Don't you like bacon?
Anonymous said…
"Thank you for validating point number 2, attitude!"

The only "attitude" I see in that exchange is that of the person who takes special pleasure in taking Fairhope down a peg.

This is a bafflingly curious phenomenon that causes the haters to recoil from facts, logic, and reason; to indulge in ad hominem arguments; and, to adopt an almost parodically hypocritical posture of superiority.


Anonymous said…
Jobs????? What jobs???? Give me the names of employers that are hiring. I'd love to know.
Anonymous said…
I still do not see anything wrong with this bulilding. Others in town are just as tall.
Anonymous said…
Drive 98 the 4 lane from Fairhope to Daphne or anywhere else for that matter, more than 30 percent of businesses have signs reading, Now Hiring.
Anonymous said…
Wouldn’t have to take down a peg if fhopians didn’t so overate themselves.
I take no pleasure but never have liked the high and mightier attitude.
Anonymous said…
Careful all those big words people can joke on ego.
Anonymous said…
You all have a Merry Christmas and listen to the song "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw, it'd do you some good, well maybe not all?

Anonymous said…
If the current guidelines recommend 3 stories max with 40 feet tall max, the land owner should insist that his architect deal with it. The Hampton may be 4 stories but it is hideous; I consider it a necessary evil now that it is here. The board of adjustments has no business granting any variances here and it is obvious that the City is not behind it.
Anonymous said…
no requirements for parking in the downtown business district (for commercial property)....... Why ?
Anthony said…
Amen on the Tim McGraw video. We all could use more love, less hate.

Anonymous said…
"Drive 98 the 4 lane from Fairhope to Daphne or anywhere else for that matter, more than 30 percent of businesses have signs reading, Now Hiring."

People are not moving here to work in fast food. Jobs are jobs but these types of jobs are not a driver of relocation.
Anonymous said…
Than you tell me why are people moving to Spanish Fort, Daphne, Foley, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach by the thousands?
Anonymous said…
Yes!!!
Patricia Welty said…
I moved to Fairhope about a year and a half ago and love this beautiful little city. I know many locals might want to have growth but Fairhope is my utopia because of its size and it's people. Mr. EB Gaston would be surprised to see our little city today but would be proud that most of it's current residents still appreciate it's uniqueness. I would think that he would not approve of such a plan and as a fellow past Des Moines, Iowa resident I don't approve of this building either!
michele said…
I was wondering if you could tell us where they will be hiring for jobs at this hotel. Also are they going to have a boutique in the hotel. I have experience in the boutique and front desk as well so I could be asset to the company.

michele