New Boutique Hotel Clears First Hurdle

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Fairhope, Alabama 

 

 

Watkins addressing Board of Adjustments.

 OK'D BY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS

The city's Board of Adjustments unanimously approved the request of James 'Jay' Watkins/Section St. Hospitality Group for special permission for a hotel on a B-2 zoned lot in downtown Fairhope across from city hall. 

Watkins said the maximum number of on-site parking places were provided for the project to be financially viable, but there is a chance more property could be acquired nearby for additional parking.

Valet service parking using the city's garage is also being contemplated, he said. Passenger loading zone will be behind the hotel.

In response to a question from Board member Slagle, planning director Simmons said overnight parking on streets in the central business district is not allowed, but that ordinance is currently "not being enforced." 

No on-site parking is required for commercial uses in the central business district to encourage walk-ability, Simmons said.

More detailed site plans for the hotel will still have to be approved at some point by the planning commission and city council.

Watkins is an attorney at the Maynard, Cooper, and Gale law firm in Mobile but lives near Fairhope.

Anil Vira is chairman of the Board of Adjustments.


Boutique hotel plan.


Comments

Anonymous said…
"Simmons said overnight parking on streets in the central business district is not allowed, but that ordinance is 'not being enforced.'"
Really? Then either start enforcing or change the law. Otherwise, the city loses credibility and residents are deprived of knowing and being able to rely upon the rule of law.
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Anonymous said…
Utterly ridiculous to not provide adequate parking for a business that would need it. Local government seems a little disjointed.
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Anonymous said…
Lots of laws on the books not enforced around here.
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Anonymous said…
The variance board has acted beyond their authority. The board members need to read the Alabama variance law.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Anonymous said…
Another as usual sellout to the to tourist trade .Enforce the laws
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Anonymous said…
This is a fantastic project! Parking is not an issue. So, please drop that argument. There are 100s of people in various restaurants on any given day/night in Fairhope so that's 100s of people who are utilizing parking spots. A 15 room hotel will not create "parking issues" in downtown Fairhope. Who cares if 7 cars at the hotel park on the main street or side street at night when everything closes at 10. How will that impact anyone? It won't. The people staying at the hotel will spend their money in downtown Fairhope. Great project and very happy the City is moving forward.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Anonymous said…
Exactly right, not much of anything is enforced & it is making things worse. Why do we have rules & restrictions if not enforced & make everyone abide by?? Why do we have code enforcers etc?? Several are going to be killed as these golf carts IGNORE traffic rules. Speeders are getting ridiculous & not much patrolling to control this. Places are junking up etc. why do we not enforce???
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Anonymous said…
This comment must either be a City Council member, Zoning Board Member or maybe Variance Board Member
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Anonymous said…
"Parking is not an issue. So, please drop that argument."

"These aren't the droids we're looking for. You can go about your business. Move along."
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Anonymous said…
The almighty dollar ($) will win.
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Anonymous said…
Parking is not an issue downtown? Drop the issue? Why, because YOU say so?
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Anonymous said…
Parking is a very minor issue downtown. Fairhope is a fantastic city and many people are moving here because the downtown is vibrant and accessible. Free parking is a huge draw compared to metered spaces. Granted, there will be growing pains as more people move to fairhope, but our smart City Council can address those issues. Another parking garage may be needed, but that's an easy fix. Street legal golf carts and the young families moving here benefit us all. Families want to live in a safe town that have social activity options. Fairhope is that town. So, let's embrace the smart growth downtown and ease up on the city officials, city workers and first responders. They are doing a fantastic job. Embrace a vibrant downtown with new options and maybe take a deep breath. It will be OK.
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Anonymous said…
You must be new here.
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
I've lived in Fairhope for 49 years. I quit shopping downtown Fairhope a few years ago because of the lack of parking!
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
Okay. I took the condescending advice to "take a deep breath," but I'm still unsure that "it will be OK." Yes, "our smart City Council can address those issues."
Listen closely, now: "those issues" are PRECISELY what we are asking the City Council to "address" right now.
What separates the two camps is that one wishes to proactively govern, while the other prefers to reactively govern (if at all).
Put me in the first camp.
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
There is basic common sense here that most citizens do not understand. The business community wants to make money (rightfully so, that is their purpose) and they are more involved in the community and politics. So you can't blame them for seeking the tourist dollar. You can't have that Mayberry feel with a bunch of tourists running around.
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
Based off of the majority of individuals I see downtown, most could afford to walk an extra few blocks. I park downtown multiple times a week and have been doing so for 2 decades, but I’m not out of breath from typing this message. Get a life!
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
Parking is a very minor issue in downtown Fairhope until you try to finds a place to park .
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
A difference in opinion is just that, a difference in opinion. If I can understand your point of view but disagree, I would hope that you could do the same.
Next, if the locals had not been run off, there would be no need to chase the tourist dollar.
Third, those of us who live here full time pay taxes also and have a right to our voice!
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
Striking a superior pose and hurling insults are very persuasive. Now, I realize that we have ample parking, perhaps even too much parking.
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
How were the locals run off?
Friday, August 19, 2022
Publisher said…
Tit-for-tat exchanges of insults are against posting policy; may be removed.
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
All parking problems will be solved when leadership gets it act together and puts in 2 hr timed parking on streets like it was in days gone by.
Friday, August 19, 2022
Anonymous said…
2-hour parking is ridiculous. You may eat dinner or shop, but not both. Theater 98: only short plays, please. Bone and Barrell bands: no opening acts, please.
Sunday, August 21, 2022
Anonymous said…
Parking meters are the only way to bring order to the parking mess our leaders have created.
Monday, August 22, 2022
Anonymous said…
Meters are an excellent way to create a negative experience and keep folks from coming back. Also, they are ugly and cannot be accommodated by our already narrow, flowered, and crowded sidewalks.
We need more parking, and we can make it aesthetically pleasing if we try.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Anonymous said…
The issue here is larger than parking. It is density. Crowding. Traffic. One boutique hotel does not a population explosion make. But one hotel, + condos, + mass housing developments, + apartments, + strip malls... in 3-4 years...is too much. Slow and steady growth is wonderful. Explosive growth, gorging on growth, is not. Zoning, preservation. These things are needed to grow in healthy ways.
Friday, September 02, 2022
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