Fairhope, Alabama
Edited for clarity. Edited to add "meeting minutes."
BILL NOW IN STATE LEGISLATURE
At a meeting in early March, the city council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposed Barnwell Landmark District legislation now in the state legislature on numerous legal grounds including such a thing not being a "recognized legal entity in the state" and there being "no consistent or transparent approach for defining its boundaries." (see the resolution at bottom)
It goes on to criticize its "over-inclusive" size (44 square miles) including portions of the city itself ... and "many other disparate communities that share little or no heritage" with Barnwell."
The resolution goes on to "offer to work with other interested parties to better define the legal status of Landmark Districts in the state."
About a half mile stretch of CR3 east of Highway 98 comprises the heart of the traditional Barnwell community; several old buildings still stand there including a former general store, school, and fire department.
If approved by county voters in a referendum, the landmark district would prevent any annexation of areas included into the city by the state legislature.
City officials say they have no interest in annexing such a large area.
MAYORS SUPPORT RESOLUTION
According to mayor Wilson, thirteen Baldwin county mayors are also supporting the resolution, including Daphne and Spanish Fort's.
House Bill 203, sponsored by Representative Joe Faust, seeks to schedule a referendum by county voters this year to establish the Barnwell District.
If approved by county voters, the landmark district would prevent any annexation into the city by the state legislature. Mayors say such annexation is an important tool cities use to control unwanted growth and development.
ZONING UNWANTED THERE
Several of the proponents for the new district vehemently oppose Fairhope annexing any of the area and imposing its land use zoning there; it has long been talked about at city hall that when the city reached 25,000 population, it would be able to seek to annex areas immediately outside city limits ... to smooth-out the city's highly irregular (jagged) city limit lines.
The 2020 census currently being taken is expected to put the city's population over that mark.
Currently, most of the area east and south of the city outside city limits is still un-zoned; residents could elect to adopt county-administered zoning but have thus far declined to do so.
The city does issue building permits and regulate subdivision of property within its extra-territorial planning jurisdiction however. It also collects sales tax (1/2 rate) from the few retail businesses there.
ON HOLD DURING CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Mayor Wilson says the Resolution was sent to the legislative delegation in Montgomery, but she was told the council's resolution will not be discussed further during the current coronavirus emergency.
Sources say proponents may seek to amend the proposal before a vote in the Senate.
(Senator Chris Elliot posted on Facebook questioning this timeline. He said the bill will be introduced in the Senate this summer as planned; has not formally received the council's objections.)
Edited for clarity. Edited to add "meeting minutes."
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| Barnwell community on CR3 east. |
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| Jerkiewicz store. |
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| Old School |
BILL NOW IN STATE LEGISLATURE
At a meeting in early March, the city council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposed Barnwell Landmark District legislation now in the state legislature on numerous legal grounds including such a thing not being a "recognized legal entity in the state" and there being "no consistent or transparent approach for defining its boundaries." (see the resolution at bottom)
It goes on to criticize its "over-inclusive" size (44 square miles) including portions of the city itself ... and "many other disparate communities that share little or no heritage" with Barnwell."
The resolution goes on to "offer to work with other interested parties to better define the legal status of Landmark Districts in the state."
About a half mile stretch of CR3 east of Highway 98 comprises the heart of the traditional Barnwell community; several old buildings still stand there including a former general store, school, and fire department.
If approved by county voters in a referendum, the landmark district would prevent any annexation of areas included into the city by the state legislature.
City officials say they have no interest in annexing such a large area.
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| Resolution passage meeting minutes |
MAYORS SUPPORT RESOLUTION
According to mayor Wilson, thirteen Baldwin county mayors are also supporting the resolution, including Daphne and Spanish Fort's.
House Bill 203, sponsored by Representative Joe Faust, seeks to schedule a referendum by county voters this year to establish the Barnwell District.
If approved by county voters, the landmark district would prevent any annexation into the city by the state legislature. Mayors say such annexation is an important tool cities use to control unwanted growth and development.
ZONING UNWANTED THERE
Several of the proponents for the new district vehemently oppose Fairhope annexing any of the area and imposing its land use zoning there; it has long been talked about at city hall that when the city reached 25,000 population, it would be able to seek to annex areas immediately outside city limits ... to smooth-out the city's highly irregular (jagged) city limit lines.
The 2020 census currently being taken is expected to put the city's population over that mark.
Currently, most of the area east and south of the city outside city limits is still un-zoned; residents could elect to adopt county-administered zoning but have thus far declined to do so.
The city does issue building permits and regulate subdivision of property within its extra-territorial planning jurisdiction however. It also collects sales tax (1/2 rate) from the few retail businesses there.
ON HOLD DURING CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Mayor Wilson says the Resolution was sent to the legislative delegation in Montgomery, but she was told the council's resolution will not be discussed further during the current coronavirus emergency.
Sources say proponents may seek to amend the proposal before a vote in the Senate.
(Senator Chris Elliot posted on Facebook questioning this timeline. He said the bill will be introduced in the Senate this summer as planned; has not formally received the council's objections.)
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| Proposed Barnwell landmark district |
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| Resolution opposing landmark district. |
Comments
Also the size of the proposed historic district is ridiculous.. I would guess the population of the cities opposing this is much higher than the rest of the county. Can’t our state reps count ?
Thank God you’re not running the show!
slow development and I plan to make the mayor and council aware of it. They need to make the planning department assess
proposed development in that light. I hope those thinking like I do will make it crystal clear that we prefer slower for the immediate future.