Fairhope, Alabama
Updated to include new comments from councilman Burrell.
TOO BIG?
House Bill 203, sponsored by Representative Joe Faust, currently making its way through the state House of Representatives to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot creating a Barnwell Landmark District was called absurd by councilman Burrell, because of its size: practically all of the unincorporated, un-zoned area south and southeast of the city.
The bill would put a local constitutional amendment on the ballot prohibiting any more annexations into the city from the area.
Synopsis of bill: "This bill would propose a local constitutional amendment relating to Baldwin County to define the Barnwell Landmark District within the county and to prohibit the annexation by local law of any property within the district into any municipality except under certain conditions."
Mayor Wilson said she had already met with state representatives about it ... and worried it could negatively impact the city's ability to control growth.
Wilson: "Creating a historic district for the Barnwell Community is not a problem ... but this one makes up most of the unincorporated area to the south ... 44 square miles ... including parts of Pt. Clear, Clay City, Marlow, Fish River, Battles Wharf, Tatumville, Houstonville ..."
Councilman Burrell during yesterday's council meeting: "Its absurd ... anything but just Barnwell. Intrudes upon the city's ability to expand ... govern."
Wilson told the Times later "bad information was being put out by proponents (click) who may not fully understand the law." She said she would have more to say about it soon.
Councilman Burrell contacted us later with additional comments about annexation: "They cannot be forcibly annexed. Currently, they must request to be annexed."
(A smaller Stockton Landmark District was enacted by voters in 2012.)
Updated to include new comments from councilman Burrell.
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| Proposed Barnwell Landmark district. |
TOO BIG?
House Bill 203, sponsored by Representative Joe Faust, currently making its way through the state House of Representatives to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot creating a Barnwell Landmark District was called absurd by councilman Burrell, because of its size: practically all of the unincorporated, un-zoned area south and southeast of the city.
The bill would put a local constitutional amendment on the ballot prohibiting any more annexations into the city from the area.
Synopsis of bill: "This bill would propose a local constitutional amendment relating to Baldwin County to define the Barnwell Landmark District within the county and to prohibit the annexation by local law of any property within the district into any municipality except under certain conditions."
Mayor Wilson said she had already met with state representatives about it ... and worried it could negatively impact the city's ability to control growth.
Wilson: "Creating a historic district for the Barnwell Community is not a problem ... but this one makes up most of the unincorporated area to the south ... 44 square miles ... including parts of Pt. Clear, Clay City, Marlow, Fish River, Battles Wharf, Tatumville, Houstonville ..."
Councilman Burrell during yesterday's council meeting: "Its absurd ... anything but just Barnwell. Intrudes upon the city's ability to expand ... govern."
Wilson told the Times later "bad information was being put out by proponents (click) who may not fully understand the law." She said she would have more to say about it soon.
Councilman Burrell contacted us later with additional comments about annexation: "They cannot be forcibly annexed. Currently, they must request to be annexed."
(A smaller Stockton Landmark District was enacted by voters in 2012.)
Comments
It is coming whether you like it or not.
Who would want to be gobbled up by Fairhope?
Let them go their way. Good riddance.
It would be good if someone in development or the mayor would publically explain the numbers again.
I am generally in favor of annexation because we need more control of the developments immediately outside city limits.
There are no landmarks there.
An abuse of the process subject to challenge in court.
Most were relieved tonight at the Fairhope P&Z meeting where the motion to forward the Greeno Road Overlay to the Council failed to get a "second" and died on the vine thereby putting an end to that zoning madness .They will probably now sprinkle those elements into the upcoming Comprehensive Plan.
Richard Thompson
The developers want to limit the city’s jurisdiction for any zoning outside city limits. I E they can do whatever they
please inch outside city limits. Finally there is an absurd ope records law proposed that will probably force a city like Fairhope to hire more employees to comply with the law. These add up to more wasted $ and a Wild West atmosphere outside city limits.
Things are bad enough without excelerating our problems. Montgomery could give a fig about Baldwin County.
The city has never really liked that area any way,yet they are the ones that shop in town.This will set a new growth,and possibly establish a new Point Clear municipality.This way they can have police ,fire,Grand hotel, new hotels and shops outside of fairhope and won't have to deal with the city inspections.Most of those in Point Clear surely can afford this change.Since the city seems to be buying all sorts of unnecessary properties.
Maybe even a new Arts and crafts festival could be established in a real historic district.
Fairhope, keep your police and fire service. Barnwell has it's own fire department. Many of us country folks used to live in Fairhope and moved away to live a less restricted lifestyle. Give us a break!
No annexation for Barnwell!!!