City Judge's Project Up For Final Approval

Fairhope, Alabama

Update: This project was  approved by the city council during its November meeting.

North is up

"KLUMPP PUD" ON HWY 181

On Monday, October 28th the city council will hold a public hearing and begin considering final approval of the application submitted by owner Gayfer Village Partners for a three part planned unit development on 76 acres of mostly farm land on the northwest corner of Fairhope Avenue and Hwy 181 consisting of:

Unit 1: 16 commercial lots (B-2).
Unit 2: 232 multi-family apartment units (R-5). (pink on the diagram)
Unit 3: 77 lots single family residential (R-3). (green on the diagram)

The property is currently outside of city limits in the un-zoned county; it will be concurrently annexed into the city on approval ... and city impact fees will be collected accordingly.

Exact site plans for phases one and two will still need the city council's approval before construction could begin.

Developer for the project is listed as Tom Mitchell.


MUNICIPAL JUDGE A PARTNER

According to probate court records, Municipal Judge Haymes Snedeker is the sole member of Gayfer Village Partners, Llc; his law/business partner Ray Hix is its organizer. Hix served on the city's Airport Authority until last year.

They also own Hix Snedeker Companies, a nationwide commercial development business (click).

The property was previously owned by the Klumpp family, where an unpaved airfield by that name operated for many years.

(Usually, the city council will introduce an ordinance then let it "lay over" until its next meeting where the final vote will be taken.)


Klump PUD diagram (north to right)


Gayfer Village Partners



Comments

Anonymous said…
Will they have self-composting toilets?
Anonymous said…
We don't need any more apartments. The schools are already overloaded. Until these developers begin to pay appropriate impact fees for creating this nightmare for our schools and infrastructure, this should be a define NO vote. However, we all know how this will end up!
Publisher said…
As we said in the post, impact fees will be collected by the city if it is annexed in to the city limits as requested.
Anonymous said…
There probaly all golfin' buddys!
Anonymous said…
So new residents don't pay what will be additional taxes, thus impact fees are the only way?
Anonymous said…
Time to build a wall around Fhope, to keep all you miserable people out of the rest of Baldwin County.
Anonymous said…
There is not an impact fee in place that can offset the future cost of 232 Apt. and 77 homes. When the chaos comes and it will let us call the Judge to come pay the bill and or take care of future problems. While these end of life never enough money grabbers rape the city for a not- needed dollar. Remeber the municipal Judge name, Haymes Snedeker. This is his baby.
Anonymous said…
Freeloaders outside of city limits are the problem.
Anonymous said…
We need more affordable housing here. Not just overpriced sprawling subdivisions.
Anonymous said…
What about the moratorium that went into place 12/20/18 and been extended to 12/31/19 that restricted site plan applications, multiple occupancy, etc? How does this get slid through?
Anonymous said…
We do not need anymore apartments in our area. At this time there are so many new subdivisions that we do not need more right now. I thought Fairhope wanted to be the small town that we can be proud of. It’s growing too much and we are losing that family feel..
Anonymous said…
Lets see if you all can understand? THIS LAND IS NOT IN FAIRHOPE! Now go tend to what's yours.
Anonymous said…
Did this get approved?
Anonymous said…
To the last Poster, the article states that the project, if approved, will be annexed to Fairhope.
Anonymous said…
The world is more complex than some think. If the city does not annex the property the development still gets built in unincorporated Baldwin County. I promise you won’ t know the difference traffic wise. Better to have some say and some revenue than no say and no revenue. I am not for any more apartments but it is going to happen in some fashion. The best we can do is keep the impact fees as high as permissible and hold the developer to the highest standard we can. This is d—-ed if you do d—-ed if you don’t.
Anonymous said…
maybe you should build a wall around yourself to keep the miserable thoughts to yourself
Anonymous said…
The previous post is correct.. We need to make it as difficult and expensive as we can build apartments..
Anonymous said…
The roads there are 1 lane each way, Fairhope school on Fairhope Av has a volunteer traffic control with backups already at school hours. There is no way you add 1000 people to this area and not have traffic problems. And just who do you think is going to live in these Apt.s I sure do not want to see Fairhope to become little Mobile.
Anonymous said…
What ever happened to keeping Fairhope Fairhope?
TechTeacher65 said…
As stated in the story, this land will be annexed into Fairhope!
Anonymous said…
So the people of Fhope want to control what you do with your property and now even what you can think and say. Is Fhope now a part of New York or California?
Anonymous said…
Kind of sneaky to get it passed before annexing. Guess this way the city wide moratorium does not affect him.
Anonymous said…
So sad.
Publisher said…
There is currently no "city wide moratorium."
Anonymous said…
I thought the moratorium was for any development of subdivisions, multi dwellings, multi use, rezoning, etc.
Publisher said…
The building moratorium you are referring to ended almost two years ago.
trumancapote said…
Responsible city governments nationwide have policies in place that determine development. Brentwood, TN has always been 'one lot per acre' with the understanding that every lot does not need to be an acre, but that the development must not put more homes per acre than the development occupies. (Hopefully), more clearly, a subdivision or PUD developer can place 100 homes on 50 acres if he also designates another 50 acres as 'common space/green space, etc'. Where our City Council and Planning Commission are failing this beautiful area is by cramming every square inch with as many 'boxes' as possible. I don't know if they are being paid 'by the box', but why don't voters understand what has happened to this city? The City can determine guidelines such as 'lots per acre'......or the City Government can decide to Not set guidelines. Perhaps Alabama law varies. Would love to know why we now have 1000 new apartments!!
Anonymous said…
The voters do understand what's happening, reality is most are ok with what's happening. People aren't stupid, just different. All you complainers are a minority.
Anonymous said…
https://www.fairhopeal.gov/home/showdocument?id=22648 (see item #6)
Anonymous said…
Final Adoption – An Ordinance to Amend Ordinance No. 1631 to extend Moratorium on the
Filing of Rezoning, Site Plan Approval and Multiple Occupancy Project Applications within
the Corporate Limits of the City of Fairhope through and including December 31, 2019.
(Introduced at the August 26, 2019 City Council Meeting)
Publisher said…
Ordinance 1631 refers to the Greeno Road Corridor only.
Anonymous said…
If your development affects my quality of life and my child's, then yes. I am going to have a lot to say. About what you do with your investment, or property. And the town board should look not to running for Mayor now that the salary has grown but to the storm on the horizon. Because it does not take much to run for a job, just ask our current and talented Mayor.
Anonymous said…
Me, me, me its all about me
Benighted by the Bay said…
"All you complainers are a minority."

Please do share the detailed results and irreproachable methodology of your argument-ending survey of Fairhope's residents.
Anonymous said…
Our elected officials that the majority voted into office that are allowing change and progress is as detailed results there is, happy to share that info with you.
Benighted by the Bay said…
"Our elected officials that the majority voted into office that are allowing change and progress is as detailed results there is, happy to share that info with you."

If I follow the logical fallacy correctly, the interregnum between our elections marks a period during which every voter agrees--perforce--with every decision made by their ballot box choices who populate the incumbent board. Independent thought ceases until those voters next enter the ballot box, while those who voted for electoral also-rans must shut up and submit.

If this is so, council meetings no longer need to be public. By virtue of their election, our mayor and councilmen have been endowed with the right (the obligation?) to ignore us on any issue--whether it arose before, during, or after we exercised our franchise.

My request stands, unmoved by your straw man. Where are the current and relevant public opinion data on this specific issue? The question remains unanswered and, doubtless, unanswerable.

Anonymous said…
As Nilsson so correctly said " you see what you want to see and hear what you want to hear". In 2020 most will be re-elected and change and progress will continue and you'll still be in denial.
Anonymous said…
People are always saying, keep Fairhope Fairhope, well which Fairhope do we keep? The 1950’s Fairhope, the 60’s the 70’s the 80’s the 90’s? Every decade has seen change in Fairhope; I sold my house in the Fruit and Nut area 4 years ago because the change to what it is today is not how I wanted to live. I would love to go back to the way Fairhope was in the 80’s but I have moved on and accept what is the reality for most communities in this country.
Benighted by the Bay said…
"you'll still be in denial."

No wonder the population is booming. Free psychoanalysis is on offer, and worth every penny.

Noting that change is inevitable is no insight, and voter apathy is not breaking news. Neither observation informs sound public policy.

The purpose of public fora, such as this, is to provide space for a conversation among concerned and informed residents--ideally, within earshot (eyeshot) of their elected leaders.

Calls to shut down that conversation, name-calling, and projection subtract from civic life. We should all be willing to reexamine our assumptions and consider differing opinions.

That past was never perfect, but neither is all change good.

Facts, reason, and a little humility will go a long way in helping our community move forward into sunlit uplands.

Anonymous said…
Well many would like to see an actual affordable dinner,actual ADA compliance in development and downtown code enforcement,actual traffic enforcement in the downtown area,to include the constant double parking and the blocking of area in the city owned parking area.If the parking situation continues it is a matter of time before it stops an emergency vehicle from access to the call.
Anonymous said…
You sure talk pretty, and not once did I name call, read your own post and practice what you preach.
Anonymous said…
While some think Judge Snedeker is beholding to Fairhope for his job I am sure his “side” job as a regional developer earns him more than all the council’s and mayor’s jobs together earn them. I think the Judge job is just something to do to fill out his day. I simply think of him as a developer. I like him but I still want the City to make it as difficult as possible for him to build even one apartment . You can’t stop development but you can slow it down. The unelected planning office could help a lot by not recommending everything. They put the city on tough legal ground.
Anonymous said…
"You sure talk pretty, and not once did I name call, read your own post and practice what you preach."

Dude, that guy/gal does write "pretty" and pretty sensible too.

When you have to go to I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I that means you lost the argument.

I care about our development, too. Lots of us do. And, I won't shut up just because there was an election.
Anonymous said…
Aside from all of these comments ,opinions,ideas,suggestions,and suppositions.One FACT remains,the citizens of Baldwin co and the entire state have no care or concern for the future of the state,Baldwin co or even themselves, as one FACT is FACT.Less than 22% of the registered voters turned out for the midterm elections,of that over 68% were above the age of 60.So if the people really cared or had a concern it is well passed that in any manner.The sheriff ran unopposed,the DA ran unopposed.The last election of tax increase was even worse.So the majority of the posts here are mute,the people don't care as it never really affects them directly.If it does the content is minimal at best.The biggest question it how the judge is able to escape conflict of interest but as many now know that everything has a price,the question is when will the PEOPLE actually stand up and make a change.As a living resident for over 55 years,something never change,just the names,as it continues to be the same.
Anonymous said…
Not voting is a vote in agreement with the way things are!
Anonymous said…
The fallacy of the superior intellect is just that, they are not superior.
Anonymous said…
LET ME JUST SUM THIS UP IT IS UNZONED UNZONED UNZONED THERE IS NOTHING ANYONE CAN DO ABOUT IT AND IF YOU OR THEY TRIED THEY WOULD BE SUED AND WOULD LOSE TERRIBLY BECAUSE LET ME SAY IT AGAIN IT IS UNZONED UNZONED UNZONED LET THAT SINK IN FOR A MOMENT.
Anonymous said…
22% of 100% voted. .001% of 100% complain when things are not just as they want things to be. A democratic society is hard for some to understand.
Anonymous said…
They know its unzoned, some just what to tell everyone what to do.
Anonymous said…
Has anybody ever heard of the deer mouse, sage grouse, etc. there are many ways to tie up or cause further expense to a no Zone -NO Zone developer. Tried it once my self and the developer went through 3 Attorneys. Interesting how some react to a difference of thought. If anything can kill a city it is apartments, so all you pro developers- be ready to open your wallet instead of your mouths.
Anonymous said…
To previous poster about deer mouse, etc. Like your post.
Anonymous said…
"22% of 100% voted. .001% of 100% complain when things are not just as they want things to be. A democratic society is hard for some to understand."

Evidently, math is also hard to understand, because this means that only 21 people in Fairhope are concerned about the socio-economic impact of future real estate developments, suggesting that the debate is over. Indeed, it never really started if only two dozen cranks have it wrong.

These made-up statistics, along with sympathetic arguments and other "FACTS" offered elsewhere, mean that our country's 39,000-plus localities that recognize their responsibility to manage growth as it relates to infrastructure are practicing "communism."

Democracy (republicanism, actually) is not tantamount to anarchy; it's not a suicide pact.

Certainly, many of our fellow Alabamans chose to live here after fleeing states that overtax, over-regulate, and otherwise trample the Spirit of 1776. This does not mean, however, that our rightly cherished personal and economic freedoms have no limits.

Additionally, to repeatedly cite voter turnout data is to cavil most unpersuasively--and to indulge in multiple logical fallacies. Those data are not only a red herring, they also beg the question that all of the "complainers" are non-voters. No evidence is offered to prove such an assumption, and none will be.

Finally, claims that some wish to "tell everyone what to do" are histrionic and hyperbolic. Asking that our elected leaders sensibly exercise their legal authority in the service of public health, safety, and welfare is not telling everyone what to do. Closer to the mark is telling others that they have no right to speak out. THAT sounds a lot more like communism.

When a city is healthy, developers do well, and successful developments keep a city healthy. This symbiosis is not perfectible, but we must always be striving.
Anonymous said…
I'm just wondering, do you understand what you write?
Anonymous said…
With my high school diploma, I understand the writing just fine. I also appreciate what it adds to the conversation...far more than your "Daily Show" styled cheap shots that sound clever, but amount to little more than vacuous insult humor.
Anonymous said…
Never have liked pompous people, I guess it shows, my bad.
Anonymous said…
Others are not pompous just because you cannot understand them.

The self-regard inherent in pomposity, however, is amply demonstrated by the line of thinking that declares: "If I don't understand something, then nobody could understand."

Again, name-calling is a dead end street, adding nothing to our discussion. Instead of calling that writer pompous, why not confront the arguments presented?
Anonymous said…
That guy is pompous because YOU don't understand him?
Anonymous said…
How do you know it is a guy? Just askin'
Anonymous said…
Pathetic.
Anonymous said…
I totally understand everything said, especially the manner in which it is said which is why I call it for what it is. Secondly and to the first point it is the attitude of certain people in Fairhope that give it one of its lesser reputations which is almost always mentioned by someone on any of these blogs. So, I am discussing by pointing out it’s not just sewer spills that stink in Fairhope. Truth bothers the main offenders, so you try to understand, starting with yourself.
Anonymous said…
Name callers being called out by name callers.
Anonymous said…
Finally, we have agreement on this board. Self-righteous and self-satisfied attitudes, such are yours, do indeed diminish the discourse in any community. But, hey, live your truth! Just realize that the truth over which you claim a monopoly is only the version of truth you prefer.

The rest of us will live in reality of competing perspectives, unaffected by the cancel culture mentality that seeks to shout down or shame others who disagree.

I thank everyone who has shared their good faith opinions on this board, refusing to variously characterize people who disagree as being snobs, ignoramuses, or otherwise unworthy of having a voice.

Anonymous said…
Boy o boy whos trying to shut down a good faith opinion just for their own monopoly and their own truth. There are several on this board who have voiced the very discord you claim to be singular.
Anonymous said…
More doubleplus ungood Newspeak from our resident thinkpol.

On behalf of INGSOC, I thank you.
Anonymous said…
This will be far from affordable.