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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-09-2011 Regular MeetingDate & Time: Place: Subject: Public Meeting Notice Monday, May 9, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Council Chambers 161 North Section Street 1) Historic Districts and Landmark Commission Ordinance 2) Public Participation 3) Work Session Notice must be stamped, dated and initialed before posted on bulletin board. POSTED DATE IZ!k4;a ~ SIGNATURE STA TE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF BALDWIN )( )( The City Council met in a Public Participation/Work Session at 5:00 p.m., Fairhope Municipal Complex Council Chamber, 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Monday, 9 May 2011 . Present were Council President Lonnie L. Mixon, Councilmembers: Daniel Stankoski , Michael A. Ford, Mayor Timothy M. Kant and Assistant City Clerk Candace G. Antinarella. Councilmember Rick Kingrea and City Attorney Marion E . Wynne were absent. Council President Mixon called the meeting to order at 5:04 p .m. and explained this meeting will be a Public Hearing regarding the Historic Districts and Landmark Commission. The ordinance has been removed from the City Council Agenda and will not be voted on however we will go forward with the public hearing. Notification will be given when the new Ordinance will be introduced. Councilmember Quinn discussed Historic Preservation and the key points supporting the same. She explained a computer glitch and that tonight we are starting with what should have been the Ordinance, which is a draft, which can be changed, it is a working document, it is not set in stone , but it gives no teeth to anything. You do have to go through the process so your neighbors know what is going on , but other than that, you can do whatever you want to with your property, as long as it meets the building codes. 1. Ralph Thayer, 416 Patlyn, Fairhope, AL, addressed the City Council in support of the Historic Districts and Preservation of Fairhope . 2. Gary Gover, 300 Lincoln , Fairhope, AL , addressed the City Council in support for the heritage for the City of Fairhope and the protection and enhancement. He discussed creating a commission of seven members and their duties. Council President Mixon addressed the audience that there were numerous people who signed up to speak at the council meeting tonight, but since the ordinance is not on the agenda, we will not have public participate as far as Historic Preservation is concerned at that meeting, but we will continue now at this meeting. 3. Arthur Mannich, 8 S . Bancroft, Fairhope, AL, addressed the City Council against the Historic Districts Ordinance. He stated he grew up here and asked what is historical in Fairhope? He said he is not willing to pay for his rights. , ..,. ., Work Session Monday, 9 May 2011 Page-2- Councilmember Quinn reemphasized the Ordinance does not have any teeth and it just gives notice to neighbors and everyone can see what is coming next 4. Edward Lawrence, 560 Morphy Avenue, Fairhope , AL, addr essed the City Counci l speaki ng for the proposed ordinance. He said that Fairhope is such a charming city because of the ambiance and the historic nature being one of the two single ta x colonies. 5. Devereaux Bemi s, 167 State St., Mobil e, AL, addressed the City Counc il in referenc e to the proposed ordinance. Mr. B em is works in Mobile with the Historic Districts and said out of 500 applicants, 80% were handled at the staff level. Of the remai nin g 20 %, less than 1 % was turned down by the review board. B efore people come in to get a permit, they think about it. The City of Mobile has four full time preservationists and oversee seven hi storic districts. The annual budget for operating and staff is s li ghtly under $400,000 6. Billie Carlisle, 104 N. Bayview, Fairhope, AL, addressed the City Council against the proposed ordinance . She stated that havin g li ve d in the neighborhood ; they are more beautiful with property owners makin g their own decisions. 7. Harriet Gutknecht, 109 Echo Lane, Fairhope, AL, a member of the Preservation Co mmittee s inc e 199 8 , involved with the Historic Hom es Tour spoke for the Historic Districts . She wants to protect wha t is in Fairhope and the owners. 8. John Bethea, 710 S. Mobile , Fairhope, AL, addressed the City Council to speak against the Historic Districts. He bas fixed up twelve to thirteen building over the past thirty-five years and thinks his children should be able to do what they want with their property. 9 . Mike Bernhardt, Fairho pe, AL, bad a statement read by Sandra Harper, ad dre ssing the City Council against the Histori c Di stricts . He fee ls the ordinance will take away the ability to be a free thinker. 10. Lydia Myers , 307 Fels Ave., Fairhope, AL, addressed the City Counci l against the Historic Districts stating this topic has created nothing but chaos and bad publicity for the City of Fairhope. She asks what the best thing is for Fairhope. 11. Jessica Lamb , 7 S. Church St., Fairhope , AL , addressed the City Counci l questioning the procedure for adopting an Ordin ance . She feels this is a gross misuse of government. Work Session Monday, 9 May 2011 Page -3- 12. Joe Birendelli , 351 Grand Ave., Fairhope, AL, a member of the Historic Preservation Committee, addressed the City Counci l to support the protection of the uniquenes s of Fairhop e to keep higher property rates . 13. Robert Thurber, 52 N . Church, Fair hop e, AL, addressed the City Counci l against the proposed ordinance. He stated he didn 't realize he mo ve d to B e rkl ey, California . He brings a lot of peopl e to visit Fairhope and is em barrassed by what is in the news pap er regarding the government. 14. Mike Duni gan , 306 Fairhope Ave ., AL, addressed the City Counci l aga in st the Historic Di stri cts. He purchased property about a year ago wh ich was an eye sore. He renovated and during the process a lady with historic marker society stopped by and said he should no lon ger look forward to a marker because they were changing and if it were up to her s he would halt the w hol e proj ect and that's the type of person who wi ll be on this council. He stated his business is thri ving . He stated this comm ittee wi th or w ithout teeth will slow progr ess and slow kill Fairhope progress. 15. Colin Keleher, Fairhope Single Tax Corp, as ked to d e lay the proposed ordinance. He stated if th e areas designated witho ut owners consent, then rights are denied. 16 . Curtis Gordon , 319 ½ Fairhope Avenue , Fairhope, AL, addre ssed the City Council against the Historic Districts. He stated back in the 1970s , Fairhope w as boarded up and the people were asked to make it better and they made it ni ce. He asked why the government is interferin g when they have not done anything wron g. Mayor Timothy M. Kant addressed the City Council in reference to th e taxes. There bein g no further bu si n ess to come before the City Council , the meeting was duly adjourned at 6 :00 p.m. Lonnie L. Mix on , Council President ~aJ.!JdizOAf/1/JJ Candace G . Antinarella Assistant City Clerk