Fairhope, Alabama
ZONING VIOLATIONS ALLEGED
A neighbor has filed a lawsuit seeking unspecified damages against the city for issuing a building permit to the owners/developers of a three story multi-use building now under construction at 106 Bancroft Street in Fairhope's central business district (CBD).
Dale Zuehlke, 454 Pine Street, alleges building setback and other violations of the zoning ordinance: it should have been 10' not 3' from the Zuehlke property line on the eastern side ... and no windows on that side.
"The site plan approved January 2018 (by the Planning Commission) differs (from now) ... only a 3' eastern wall setback and windows ... (approval) not subject to public hearing."
CALLED 'THE HENRY LOFTS' APARTMENTS
The 22-unit, three story building called 'The Henry Lofts' will have 7770 sq. ft of commercial space on the first floor ... and 12,508 of residential on each of its upper floors.
Off-street parking for the residences will also be incorporated on the first floor.
'106 Bancroft, LLC' is the owner of the property; John Wise of Daphne is the registered agent.
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| 106 Bancroft Street (Fairhope Times photo) |
ZONING VIOLATIONS ALLEGED
A neighbor has filed a lawsuit seeking unspecified damages against the city for issuing a building permit to the owners/developers of a three story multi-use building now under construction at 106 Bancroft Street in Fairhope's central business district (CBD).
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| thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com |
"The site plan approved January 2018 (by the Planning Commission) differs (from now) ... only a 3' eastern wall setback and windows ... (approval) not subject to public hearing."
CALLED 'THE HENRY LOFTS' APARTMENTS
The 22-unit, three story building called 'The Henry Lofts' will have 7770 sq. ft of commercial space on the first floor ... and 12,508 of residential on each of its upper floors.
Off-street parking for the residences will also be incorporated on the first floor.
'106 Bancroft, LLC' is the owner of the property; John Wise of Daphne is the registered agent.
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| Zuhlke residence (left) at 454 Pine Street |
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| Zoning map of the area (light pink is B-2) |
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Comments
Just saw signs in our neighborhood regarding the property on 181 and Gayfer. It's on the agenda for tomorrow's planning commission meeting for PUD. Has anyone heard what's planned for those 75 acres?
Remember what used to be there? An ratty old eyesore of a rusty metal building with two dozen half repaired cars spilling out on to Bancroft Street. The new owner is investing a fortune and improving the area, which will allow several families to enjoy living in the heart of the city -- AND he is providing off street parking, even though he is not required to do so.
But all you people want to do is complain that something is different now than it was in 1973.
And there's nothing wrong with a place that repairs cars. Where should cars get repaired? At a hidden away place for the Mercedes and golf carts?
Most of the comments in the comments section posted here by others are just opinion, not facts.
Rents for The Retreat At Fly Creek apartments are projected to be over $1K per month ... .
No, it's an informed, practical position-I trust. When renters have little to no skin in the game, they tend to care less about the appearance and maintenance of the property. Take a look at Section 8 housing anywhere in the country, as I have. The tendency toward shabbiness is manifest, as are increased crime rates.
Look at the data: they don't lie. The heart does, though.
So, we need to be clear-eyed when we make policy decisions, guided by reality, not feelings--balancing compassion and responsible development. The poor matter, of course, but so do hardworking taxpayers (e.g. homeowners, investors, businesses).
One final note: the ceaseless carping about so-called elitism in Fairhope is boring and, frankly, reveals more about the accuser than the accused.
Those guys who used to work on cars in that location were salt-of-the-earth types as were many of the retailers and other merchants and tradespeople in Fairhope. These places are going away so rapidly, it is unreal.
Anonymous slights anonymity, or, as the Bard wrote: "The raven chides blackness." FYI: hypocrisy is not a firm foundation from which to launch an emotional tirade. True, virtue signaling populism is great rah-rah stuff in 2019. But it's just stuff. Who is writing about what they have done or where they have been? Nobody. This is pure projection.
The working man (and woman)--"the salt-of-the-earth types," as you call them--care about property values and quality of life as much (and often more) than the elitist monsters of your fever dreams. They have to, because the value of their homes often comprise the bulk of their intergenerational wealth.
So, stop with the class warfare, and if you cannot, move to Vermont or California or Illinois. Your self-regarding rage does not play here, nor does your pejorative "newcomer." Moreover, that latter rhetorical move ("newcomer") is elitism at its most retrograde, illiberal, and perverse.
Ouch! I guess it's game, set, and match to the towering wit from 5th Grade recess.
A decisive and satisfying win, no doubt--without even one "I know you are, but what am I?" or "neener, neener, neener."