Big Bohemian Hall Road Housing Projects Tabled

Fairhope, Alabama 

 


Highland at Fish River

 BALDWIN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

After hearing the concerns of nearby resident and a lengthy discussion, the Baldwin County Planning Commission decided to table the proposed 138-lot Highlands at Fish River subdivision on Bohemian Hall Road in southwest Silverhill until their September meeting. 

Neighbors worried about density, traffic, drainage, and proximity to family farms.

Questions also arose about the city of Fairhope's ability to provide adequate water pressure ... and about access by emergency vehicles.

In a letter dated last March, Fairhope Water Department officials confirmed water service would be available (with developer's help), but some commissioners wanted to be sure after recent reports of water shortages in the city.

Also, questions arose about how many entrances were needed, one or two, to comply with state emergency access fire regulations.  The current design has a divided "boulevard" type single entrance which was ok'd by the Silverhill Volunteer Fire Department, but commissioners wanted to double check with them to see if a secondary entrance is needed.

Thomas Henry (Thomas Home Corporation, Pensacola Fl.), the property's owner/developer, said he is a only small local builder, not a big national corporation so common these days ... and thought he had complied with all design/engineering requirements in place at the time of his application; smaller lots were needed to pay the high cost for infrastructure.

Chairman Steven Pumphrey observed that since this project was submitted before zoning was adopted in the district, the commission had limited legal control of the design, if all current subdivision/building regulations are met. 

ELIZABETH GARDENS POSTPONED

The public hearing for the proposed Elizabeth Gardens project just to the south, was postponed until September at the request of the developer as well, to work out last-minute technical issues.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Well, is it possible we’re getting a dose of common sense in Fairhope?
Anonymous said…
I do not understand why silver hill or robertdale is not givig them water.
Anonymous said…
Fairhope wants to provide the water service. Research Fairhope gas and see where all they provide that service. However, this is just a temporary stall...they(zoning board) will approve both developments.
Anonymous said…
Turn off the water & and you have stopped the growth
Anonymous said…
That is the question. Why is Fairhope providing natural gas to Bay Minette and water to silverhill , borrowing 45 million to do it?
Anonymous said…
Fairhope should sell the utilitys & get out the development business..
APCO said…
If you think your utility bills are high now, try privatizing them. Then enjoy letting local politicians decide how to spend the proceeds on their pet projects.
Anonymous said…
Exactly. Look at what Baldwin County Sewer System charges! They are a monopoly in most areas of the county because of our local county officials. And I don't want to hear about how they are helping our water quality. What a joke.