"Boutique" Hotel Proposed for North Section Street

Fairhope, Alabama 

 


ACROSS FROM CITY HALL

A 15 room hotel is being proposed for .25 acres (B-2 zoning) at the southeast corner of Oak and Section Streets in the central business district downtown (across from the Art Center). 

The lot is now vacant but was home to a dental office for several decades.

The hotel is to have three floors with a rooftop terrace, and 7 on-site parking spaces according to preliminary plans. A reception area and atrium are planned on the first floor as well.

Owner/developer is Section Street Hospitality Group, LLC. 

Mayor Sullivan called it "a nice addition to downtown," if details can be worked out. The plans will still need various approvals by the city.


Site.

Proposed parking plan.



Comments

Anonymous said…
This hotel will need & use a lot more the seven parking spaces .
Anonymous said…
they can use city hall parking too.
Anonymous said…
Absolutely. 15 rooms, 7 parking spots is a non-starter. Great idea, looks lovely, but 8 guests and any number of employees instantly become an additional stress upon already stressed parking downtown.
Publisher said…
On-site parking is not required by the city's zoning ordinance for commercial uses in the downtown business district; but some may be provided anyway optionally by the owner/developer.
Anonymous said…
I hope this is approved; it would have been amazing on the corner of Fairhope Avenue & Section Street when it was proposed several years ago. Fingers crossed that it will not be denied this time.
Anonymous said…
On-site parking is not required by code, as you correctly note. Does that mean that the code is wise? Does that mean that our elected officials and zoning/planning employees cannot recognize adverse impacts or exercise discretion in the review process?
Anonymous said…
Only 7 parking spaces? No wonder the town is having parking problems. There should be at least one parking space for each hotel room, and several more for management and staff.
Anonymous said…
Parking needs will be about the same as for the dentist office that was there before. No big deal.
Anonymous said…
On-site parking is not required by the city's zoning ordinance for commercial uses in the downtown business district . Don’t you think it’s passed time for this ordinance to be amended to on-site parking is required
Anonymous said…
If you did that then everyone would have to close. The fact is there are no businesses in the CBD that have on-site parking.
Anonymous said…
"If you did that then everyone would have to close."
Nonsense: the new code could not and would not be retroactive. Let's be factual and rational, not hysterical.
Anonymous said…
This hotel will only serve to enhance Fairhope. Any downtown area in America would LOVE to have the problem that Fairhope has - it is a vibrant, working downtown area with shops, restaurants, commercial and cultural activities. I have worked in downtown Fairhope for 16 years and have never had a problem parking. Even if I had to walk several blocks, it is a pleasant experience with attractive landscaping and street trees, public art, engaging storefronts, nice people --yes, even in the heat, or the rain ! Count your blessings!
Anonymous said…
Existing business would be grandfathered under the existing codes. But I agree the zoning codes needs to be changed and modernized, otherwise I see future problems.
Anonymous said…
Some body needs to put in a traffic signal at that dangerous intersection too
Anonymous said…
Any downtown area in America would LOVE to have the problem that Fairhope has

Many, more heavily tourist towns do not have the problem Fairhope does because they have adequate zoning laws that are enforced. They have adequate parking; historic homes are protected, etc. etc.
Anonymous said…
Requiring on-site parking completely changes the feel of an area and results in “suburbia” style development in which each business has its own parking lot and nobody walks between businesses.
Anonymous said…
Is "on-site" parking really so categorically awful? Strong opinion; weak evidence.
Anonymous said…
Bigger question: is its lack so categorically awful? Or is it just that you’re not calling the shots that troubles you?
Anonymous said…
No, I think answering the question with a question tells us that you have no evidence for you claims.
Anonymous said…
My contention is that if people with business downtown are willing to walk as much as a couple of blocks, parking can be located. I find it more visually appealing to have on-street parking than parking lots surrounding every business. Add to that the increased runoff that results from more impervious surfaces caused by more parking lots and a resulting decline in water quality in the bay, and I think there is a valid argument against requiring on-site parking for all businesses downtown. But then again “Anonymous” has spoken…
Anonymous said…
Boy, lots of unsubstantiated assumptions leading to run-off into the bay. Climate activism writ small. Civic planning writ blind.
Daphne said…
You say you like parking lots? Come visit us! We’re much closer than Airport Blvd, and you don’t have to worry about crossing the frontage road!
Anonymous said…
Try to keep up. Gravity pulls water downhill. Impervious surfaces block rainwater from infiltrating the ground, leading to runoff. Runoff flows into ditches, storm drains, gullies, and eventually reaches the bay. In the process, it often collects garbage, excessive organic matter, and at times, sewage and sediment. It is commonly agreed that these are not good for the bay. Climate activism, not so much. Common sense and concern for Fairhope’s primary asset, more so.
Velma said…
Oh, Daphne. There's a world of creative solutions occupying the space between the status quo and your nightmare scenario. We only lack the will, not the way.
Anonymous said…
Retention, detention, permeable pavers, stone, Bahama rock, etc.
Again, we have within our power the tools to harmonize these competing interests.
Yes, myopic climate activism offers some short-term emotional comfort, but it has the side-effect of suppressing inconvenient truth (to borrow a phrase).
Anonymous said…
Love this!! GunRunner in Florence, AL did an exceptional job selecting an inspiration for each suite rooted in what makes the town/area special with a Billy Reid suite, Muscle Shoals suite, Frank Lloyd Wright suite, and so on. It would be so nice to see this boutique hotel here commission local notable artists that can bring the soul and spirit of the town into the space.