HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-1823ORDINANCE NO. 1823
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OFF AIRHOPE, ALABAMA TO
PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND GENERAL WELFARE
OF THE PEOPLE, FOR THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF
CON SI DERATION OF CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL MULTIPLE
OCCUPANCY PROJECT AND SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS IN THE
CITY OF FAIRHOPE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the City of Fairhope has adopted the Fairhope Subdivision Regulations
that regulate the subdivision of land and multiple occupancy projects within the City
limits pursuant to A labama Code § 11-52-30 et seq .; and
WHEREAS, there has been rapid and substantial growth in and around the City of
Fairhope ; and
WHEREAS , the City Council recognizes that the explosive growth has increased
the burden on public utilities , roads , and other infrastructure; and
WHEREAS , the City Council desires to address certain challenges created by the
growth with a strategic and deliberate focus on orderly land development in the City
limits ; and
WHEREAS , the City is in the process of taking several steps to address the rapid
and substantial growth over the next nine months, including but not limited to :
exploration and completion of additional wells for water consumption ; construction
and installation of millions of dollars of new water and wastewater infrastructure and
facilities to increase service leve ls and capacity; completion of upgrades and
extensions to existing water and wastewater infrastructure and facilities to increase
service levels and capacity; completion and analysis of water and wastewater sewer
capacity studies ; consideration of amendments to the existing Fairhope Subdivision
Regulations, Comprehensive Plan, and Zoning Ordinance; and review of traffic and
parking concerns ; and
WHEREAS , the City Council believes the short-term suspension on consideration
of certain residential dwelling multiple occupancy project and certain subdivision
applications will allow the City staff, City Council, Planning Commission, and
outside consultants to evaluate and focus on these specific steps to address the
identified challenges ; and
WHEREAS , the City Council has determined that the suspension on consideration
of these residential dwelling multiple occupancy project and certain subdivision
applications is appropriate to prevent conditions that may threaten the community 's
health , safety , and general welfare ; and
WHEREAS , this suspension of limited duration and limited scope would be in the
public interest and promote orderly la nd development.
Ordinance No . 1823
Page -2-
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF
FAIRHOPE, ALABAMA, as follows:
Section I: Purpose:
A. The City Council hereby declares it to be the purpose and intent of this
Ordinance to enact a nine (9) month suspension of consideration of all
multiple occupancy project applications that contain three (3) or more
residential dwelling units and subdivision applications that contain three (3)
or more residential lots smaller than 10 ,500 square feet per lot in the City of
Fairhope.
Section II: Temporary Suspension Established:
A. For the purposes of evaluating traffic and parking burd en , water and
wastewater capacity , and other impacts and problems facin g the City that
may be caused or which could be exacerbated by additional high density
residential dwelling development, and to allow for the analysis and
development of related updates to the City's comprehensive plan and
applicable rules , regulations , and ordinances , and to identify , provide for , and
address the City 's roadways, utility infrastructure , and other needs , the City
Council hereby suspends consideration of all applications for multiple
occupancy project ("MOP") approval under Article IV , § H of the
Subdivision Regulations and subdivision applications under Article IV of
three (3) or more residential lots smaller than 10 ,500 square feet per lot as set
forth in Section Il.B herein. The duration of this Ordinance shall be nine (9)
months from the effective date of this Ordinance.
B. The Director of Planning and the Planning Commission may not accept or
consider any new MOP application that contains three (3) or more residential
dwelling units or any new subdivision application of three (3) or more
residential lots smaller than 10 ,500 square feet per lot for the duration of this
Ordinance. Concurrent with the effectiveness hereof, all timelines set forth in
the Subdivision Regulations that relate to such applications , including
consideration, review , recommendation , hearing, and decision shall be
suspended.
C. This Ordinance shall not affect any complete MOP or subdi vision application
that has been submitted to the City Planning Department with the fee paid on
or before the effective date of this Ordinance.
Section III: Conflict and Severability
A. This Ordinance shall be construed in a manner that does not conflict with any
provision of local , state or federal law except as expressly provided herein
and except to the extent its provisions are more restrictive.
B. In the event that any section, subsection , sentence , clause or phrase of this
Ordinance shall be declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such
adjudication shall in no manner affect the other sections , sentences , clause s or
phrases of this Ordinance , which shall remain in full force and effect, as if the
section , subsection , sentence , clause or phrase so declared or adjudged
invalid or unconstitutional were not originally a part thereof.
Ordinance No. 1823
Page -3-
Section IV: Definitions
A. "City" -means the City of Fairhope , an Alabama municipal corporation .
B . "City Council" -means the elected members of the City Council of Fairhope,
Alabama.
C. "Planning Director" means the Planning Director for the City of Fairhope ,
Alabama.
D . "Planning Commission" means the Planning and Zoning Commission of the
City of Fairhope , Alabama .
E. "Subdivision Regulations" means the City of Fairhope 's Subdivision
Regulations , adopted March 8, 2007 , as amended on February 6, 2023.
F. "Effective Date" means this ordinance shall take effect upon its due adoption
and publication as required by law.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT A REGULAR MEETING
THEREOF ON THE 10TH DAY OF FEBRUARY , 2025.
ATTEST:
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City C erk
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT A REGULAR MEETING
THEREOF ON THE 10TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025.