Neighbors Oppose Proposed Town Home Project

Fairhope, Alabama

 

‘BAYTOWN PUD’

Residents from the adjacent Rolling Oaks neighborhood showed up at the May Planning Commission meeting en masse to oppose a new proposal to constrict 162 townhomes on 16.5 acres at the corner of Bishop and Dyer Roads in east-central Fairhope.

Many worried about increased traffic and storm water runoff since their neighborhood is downstream, in the Fly Creek watershed.

Others thought it did not comply with the city’s current comprehensive growth plan; the city’s planning staff also objected due to parking and other technical issues.

(Only about half of the Rolling Oaks neighborhood is within city limits.)

TABLED UNTIL FUTURE MEETING

Planning commissioners Art Dyas and Lee Turner pointed out to the group that since the project is outside of city limits in the county where there is currently no land use zoning, the commission has very limited control over what gets built there.

In this case however, since the owner, Carolyn Gill Koch (Trustee), is currently asking for a PUD and concurrent annexation into the city, the city council could turn down the request, but it may be resubmitted later as just a MOP (Multiple Occupancy Project) and approval would be likely if all technical requirements are met.

Larry Smith of SE Civil Engineers told the commission the owner would prefer “to be part of the city” and pay the estimated “$500K impact fees” associated with the development (they could not be collected if the property is developed outside). There would be no city property tax on the individual unit owners either if they remain outside. (City impact fees may be used for fire, police and recreation purposes.)

Smith requested the matter be tabled to allow time to work out solutions to the issues raised during the meeting.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REDO COMING

Referring to the failure of the commission’s effort last year to restrict unwanted growth along nearby US 98, commissioner Dyas invited the group to participate in the upcoming update of the comprehensive growth plan that could result in more influence in areas outside of city limit.

A $600K BP RESTORE grant was secured for the upgrade; it is expected to get started next year.

 

 

Dyer Road Site