HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-2025 Planning Commission Minutesr
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March 6, 2025
Planning Commission Minutes
The Planning Commission met Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the City Municipal Complex,
161 N. Section Street in the Council Chambers.
Present: Kevin Boone; Harry Kohler; Paul Fontenot; Kim McCormick; Erik Cortinas; Hunter Simmons,
Planning and Zoning Director; Mike Jeffries, Development Services Manager; Michelle Melton,
Planner; Chris Williams, City Attorney, and Cindy Beaudreau, Planning Clerk.
Absent: Lee Turner, Rebecca Bryant; Hollie MacKellar; John Worsham
Secretary Beaudreau called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM.
Hunter Simmons, Planning and Zoning Director, introduced Kim McCormick as a new member to the
Planning Commission.
With the Chair and Vice-Chair being absent, Secretary Beaudreau requested nominations for a Chair for
this meeting.
Harry Kohler made a motion to nominate Paul Fontenot as Chair.
Eric Cortinas seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
A YE: Kevin Boone; Harry Kohler; Paul Fontenot; Kim McCormick and Erik Cortinas
Consent Agenda
• Approval of the Minutes March 6, 2025
• UR 25.01 Request of AT&T for an 11.52.11 Utility Review and approval of the proposed
installation of approximately 4,573 LF of buried fiber cable at 7549 Assunta Court.
• UR 25.02 Request of AT&T for an 11.52.11 Utility Review and approval of the proposed
installation of approximately 3,929 LF of buried fiber cable at 20485 Lowry Drive.
• UR 25.03 Request of AT&T for an 11.52.11 Utility Review and approval of the proposed
installation of approximately 3,953 LF of buried fiber cable at 200 Spring Lake Drive.
• UR 25.04 Request of AT&T for an 11.52.11 Utility Review and approval of the proposed
installation of approximately 3,676 LF of buried fiber cable at 19755 Greeno Road.
• UR 25.05 Request of AT&T for an 11.52.11 Utility Review and approval of the proposed
installation of approximately 9,058 LF of buried fiber cable at 811 Morphy Avenue.
Hunter Simmons, Planning and Zoning Director, shared the information for the Utility Reviews which
have the following conditions:
l. The proposed utility construction falls within the corporate limits of the City of Fairhope. Any
portions of the project affecting public right-of-way (ROW) maintained by Baldwin County
or the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) shall require permits through the
respective agency.
2. A pre-construction meeting shall be held with the City prior to issuance of any permits.
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3. Consultation with the City's horticulturalist, to determine if the required depth of bore must be
increased so that no trees are impacted by the project. The contractor is responsible for any
damaged trees.
4. At all street crossing locations, conduct potholing to determine exact location and elevation of
existing utilities. Reflect the exact elevation of utilities and GPS coordinates of the pothole
locations on a set of as-built drawings.
a. An additional right-of-way permit may be required for the potholing procedures.
5. Follow-up activities below required by staff and the applicant:
a. Upon satisfactory review and approval by ROW Construction Inspector, as-builts will be
submitted to the GIS Supervisor for inclusion in GIS utility maps.
6. Provide draft door hanger for approval at time of pre-construction.
7. Approved door hangers shall be in place no later than 7 days prior to construction.
8. Provide a Traffic Control Plan to ROW Inspector prior to commencement of any work.
9. Ensure enough space for proposed work is available within existing easement, if not applicant is
responsible for either expanding existing easement or acquiring an additional easement.
10. Applicant shall contact Alabama One Call to locate all existing utilities (750ft max per day).
11. Utilities boxes shall be concentrated near existing boxes.
12. For permitting purposes, applicants shall provide subsurface utility engineering quality-level C,
unless otherwise required by the Fairhope Building Department.
Kevin Boone was concerned with response from AT&T about follow up and completing work. Wade
Mitchell, AT&T, speaks with staff weekly to check on issues and suggests reporting issues through the
utility staff.
Harry Kohler asked about the phone numbers on the door tags. Mr. Mitchell stated those numbers go
directly to the contractor.
Eric Cortinas made a motion to approve the consent agenda including the minutes.
Harry Kohler seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
A YE: Kevin Boone; Harry Kohler; Paul Fontenot; Kim McCormick and Erik Cortinas
Nay: None
Old Business
• No old business
New Business
A. SD 25.04 Public hearing to consider the request of the Applicant, Sawgrass Consulting, on
behalf of the Owner, PCH Hotels and Resorts/RSA, for preliminary plat approval of Battles Trace Phase
9, an 81-lot subdivision. The property is approximately 22.4 acres and is zoned TR -Tourist Resort
District. The property is located on the north side of Battles Road, on the east and west sides of Colony
Drive. PPINS #: 5499, 20948, 286294
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Hunter Simmons, Planning and Zoning Director, presented the request of the Applicant, Sawgrass
Consulting, on behalf of the Owner, PCH Hotels and Resorts/RSA, for preliminary plat approval of
Battles Trace Phase 9, an 81-lot subdivision. The property is approximately 22.4 acres and is zoned TR
-Tourist Resort District. The property is located on the north side of Battles Road, on the east and west
sides of Colony Drive. Mr. Simmons shared the zoning map, aerial map and additional landscape
buffers.
Staff recommends approval of SD 25.04 with the following conditions:
l. Reflect the remaining property as a lot of record as lot # on the plat and show the entire boundary
of the property.
2. Add a 20' Undisturbed Buffer to the plat as show on grading plans adjacent to Hill Top
Subdivision.
Chairman Fontenot opened the public hearing at 5:21pm.
Jim Ellis, 6902 Petiole Drive, appreciates the modifications made by Sawgrass for landscaping, but
shared his concerns about the old fence on Hill Top and would rather the trees not be removed to replace
the fence and asked about the process to ensure the 20' buffer is not disturbed during the construction
phase.
Steve Cowles, 6878 Petiole Drive, asked if the 20' buffer along the norther property of the Colony is
intended to form the boundary of the entire plan or just Phase 9. Mr. Simmons replied that it is only for
Phase 9.
Diane Dyer, 829 Geranium, requested an additional buffer and asked for the definition of undisturbed.
Troy Vickers, 248 Cuban Lily Drive, asked if the public hearing could be kept open until after the
Engineer has spoken, in case there are more questions. Chris Williams, City Attorney, stated that public
hearings are closed after public comments. Mr. Vickers shared his concerns about the wildlife, regional
drainage plan, impervious areas causing drainage issues, landscaping for existing homes along the north
side of Cuban Lily and being able to plant landscaping along the easement and homeowners being
allowed to remove trees on their lot.
Kendall Douglas, 147 Hyacinth, is concerned with traffic turning off Hyacinth going to town and
suggested another entrance on Twin Beech Road to help with traffic.
Chairman Fontenot closed the public hearing at 5:45pm.
Hunter Simmons, Planning and Zoning Director, stated that the landscape on Geranium is not an
undisturbed buffer and there will be planning on the north side of Geranium and that the wetland
delineation is shown on the plans.
Eric Cortinas stated that a mishmash of City/County owned property creates a problem with regional
drainage plans.
Tim Lawley, Sawgrass, addressed comments by the public and will work around the trees around the
old fence. Mr. Lawley stated that they worked to preserve or improve what was on the Master Plan
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shown for Geranium and Cuban Lily. Homeowners will be able to remove trees on their lot, the drainage
complies with the Subdivision Regulations. An in-depth traffic study has been done and there will be an
entrance on Twin Beech Road in a future phase.
Kevin Boone asked if this must be approved if it meets the regulations. Chris Williams, City Attorney,
stated yes.
Harry Kohler made a motion to approve SD 25.04 with staff recommendations.
Eric Cortinas seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
A YE: Kevin Boone; Harry Kohler; Paul Fontenot; Kim McCormick and Erik Cortinas
NAY: None.
B. SR 24.07 Request of the Applicant, Overstreet & Assoc., on behalf of the Owner, Bon
A venture Too, for Site Plan Approval of Staggers Mixed-Use Project. The property is approximately
0.20 acres and is zoned B-2 -General Business District. The property is located on Morphy A venue
west of S. School Street. PPIN #: 77834
C. SD 25.01 Public hearing to consider the request of the Applicant, Overstreet & Assoc., on
behalf of the Owner, Bon A venture Too, for Staggers Mixed-Use Project, a 3-unit Multiple Occupancy
Project. The property is approximately 0.20 acres and is zoned B-2 -General Business District. The
property is located on Morphy Avenue west of S. School Street. PPIN #: 77834
Mike Jeffries, Development Services Manager, presented both requests from the Applicant, Overstreet
& Assoc., on behalf of the Owner, Bon A venture Too, for Site Plan Approval of SR 24.07 and SD 25.01,
a 3-unit Multiple Occupancy of Staggers Mixed-Use Project. The property is approximately 0.20 acres
and is zoned B-2 -General Business District. The property is located on Morphy A venue west of S.
School Street.
Staff recommends approval to the City Council of SR 24.07.
Staff recommends approval of SD 25.01.
Chairman Fontenot opened the public hearing for SD 25.01 at 6:00pm.
Carolyn Boothe, 154 S School Street, is concerned with the noise of the air conditioning units, would
like a buffer, the dumpsters at the church, and if the existing fence is being tom down and a new fence
being constructed, will it be connected properly to keep the vagrants off her property. Hunter Simmons,
Planning and Zoning Director, stated that a 1 O' landscape buffer is required. Mike Jeffries, Development
Services Manager, stated that the fence will be 8' along the rear property line, but will not tum the
comer.
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Blakely Davis, 500 Morphy, asked about the number of units and is concerned with traffic and parking
plans. Mr. Simmons replied that this project is in the CBD and will have two on-site parking spaces and
is adding two parking spaces.
Chairman Fontenot closed the public hearing at 6:09pm.
Beau Lebatard, Architect, stated that the air conditioning units will be located inside the courtyard with
an 8' fence around it. The units will be on top of the building with a 42" parapet wall.
Robert Cummings, Overstreet & Associates, stated that they will build the construction fence prior to
the building construction beginning.
Eric Cortinas made a motion to recommend approval of SR 24.07 to City Council and approval of SD
25.0l.
Kevin Boone seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
A YE: Kevin Boone; Harry Kohler; Paul Fontenot; Kim McCormick and Erik Cortinas
NAY: None.
D. ZC 25.02 Public hearing to consider the request of the Applicant, S.E. Civil, on behalf of the
Owner, Robert and Renee Taylor and FST Blue Island Owners Association, to amend the Planned Unit
Development, known as Hermitage Court. The property is approximately .36 acres and is located at 620
Hermitage Court. PPIN #: 226992
Hunter Simmons, Planning and Zoning Director, presented the request of the Applicant, S.E. Civil, on
behalf of the Owner, Robert and Renee Taylor and FST Blue Island Owners Association, to amend the
Planned Unit Development, known as Hermitage Court. The property is approximately .36 acres and is
located at 620 Hermitage Court. Mr. Simmons shared the zoning and aerial maps.
Staff recommends approval of ZC 25 .02 to the City Council with the following conditions:
1. Applicant shall submit two (2) bound copies of an updated, complete and accurate Master
Development Plan to accompany this PUD modification.
2. Record the Re-plat with the Baldwin County Probate.
Chairman Fontenot opened the public hearing at 6: 19, with no one present to speak, the public hearing
was closed at 6: l 9pm.
Aaron Collins, S.E. Civil, stated that the client has closed on the property.
Kevin Boone made a motion to recommend approval of ZC 25.02 to City Council with staff
recommendations.
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Eric Cortinas seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
A YE: Kevin Boone; Harry Kohler; Paul Fontenot; Kim McCormick and Erik Cortinas
NAY: None.
E. Resolution 2025-03 Public hearing to consider the request of the City of Fairhope's Planning
and Zoning Department to accept Resolution 2025-03 adopting the temporary suspension of
consideration of certain residential multiple occupancy project and subdivision applications under the
City of Fairhope Subdivision Regulations as set forth in Ordinance 1823.
Hunter Simmons, Planning and Zoning Director presented the request of the City ofFairhope's Planning
and Zoning Department to accept Resolution 2025-03 adopting the temporary suspension of
consideration of certain residential multiple occupancy project and subdivision applications under the
City of Fairhope Subdivision Regulations as set forth in Ordinance 1823.
Staff recommends approval of Resolution 2025-03.
Chairman Fontenot opened the public hearing at 6:21 pm, with no one present to speak, the public
hearing was closed at 6:21 pm.
Eric Cortinas made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-03.
Kevin Boone seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously with the following vote:
A YE: Kevin Boone; Harry Kohler; Paul Fontenot; Kim McCormick and Erik Cortinas
NAY: None.
Adjournment
Kevin Boone made a motion to adjourn.
A YE: Kevin Boone; Harry Kohler; Paul Fontenot; Kim McCormick and Erik Cortinas
NAY: None.
Adjourned at 6:25pm
~er, Chairman
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Cindyl3eauareau, Secretary
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