Fairhope, Alabama
NUMBER OF FLOORS TO BE DETERMINED
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.
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.
NUMBER OF FLOORS TO BE DETERMINED
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| Dyess addressing Board |
(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 |
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.
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| Proposed site |
Comments
The hotel itself sounds perfect, but the 4 story variance is just wrong for our city center.
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.
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.
Only Fairhope thinks there is something special about Fairhope. #thefairhopeway
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.
The maximum building height is now 40' ... but with three stories only ... without a variance.
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.
I take no pleasure but never have liked the high and mightier attitude.
People are not moving here to work in fast food. Jobs are jobs but these types of jobs are not a driver of relocation.
michele