HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-2026 Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )( COUNTY OF BALDWIN )( Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission, City Council, City of Fairhope, met at 3 :30 p.m., Fairhope Museum of History, 24 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Present were Chair Mara Hunter; Members: Arny Molyneux, Dannie Mixon, Alan Samry, Susan Stein, Ginger Golson, Councilmember Andrea Booth, Councilmember Jay Robinson (arrived at 3:45 p.m.), and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Member: Skip Jones and Staff Liaison Erik Cortinas (Building Official) were absent. There being a quorum present, Chair Hunter called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. Chair Hunter asked the Commissioners to review the December 10, 2025 meeting minutes. Commissioner Golson moved to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2025. Seconded by Commissioner Mixon, motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Chair Hunter commented on the Demolition Review, Certified Local Government status update, Demolition Review Training, and the Demolition Review Process. She said we are waiting on the insertion of language in our Ordinance that the Federal Government requires for CLG status. Chair Hunter said we need the Ordinance to be passed to get CLG status to seek grants. Chair Hunter gave an update on the Consultant process: research local incentives, presentation for the City Council, and develop survey for infrastructure with criteria and infrastructure. She named Landmark for the Professional Consultant Services. Councilmember Robinson told the Commission that Attorney Chris Williams had concerns with substantial exterior alterations of historic buildings. He commented on other issues: What triggers Demolition Review, two members via Zoom, property owner or applicant, and multiple owners with one member representing group. Councilmember Robinson said once corrected it will then go back to City Council to review. He said the owner will want to preserve it or not. Commissioner Golson commented may need a step to educate by valuation. Councilmember Robinson said that Attorney Williams was not ready with the language for CLG status. He stated that the wording from the statute must be in the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
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Commissioner Golson went over History Day and handed out "History Day Tips and Sample Questions." She asked for judges from the Commission: essays, documentaries, and exhibits; and would like two sets of ey es on each project. Commissioner Golson said there will be seven categories with the top 20 to 25 going to South Regionals. The Commission discussed prizes, i.e., cash and certificates. Councilmember Booth said she would be a judge for the documentaries.
Presentations will be at 6:00 p.m. on First Friday, February 6, 2026. Commissioner Golson commented that Principal Jon Cardwell will take over the South Regionals
with the students. Chair Hunter said the City Council would like to recognize the top
three winners. The students will setup on Thursday and judges need to be present on Friday; and we will meet at 4:00 p.m. to tabulate votes.
Chair Hunter mentioned the need for a Demolition Training Slideshow. Commissioner Mixon said he would prepare and an Incentive Sheet Update. She will
ask Building Official Cortinas for a couple of IEBC slides.
Commissioner Samry mentioned the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation's 2026 Lecture Series and said Chief Stephanie Hollinghead would be speaking on January 20, 2026.
He also mentioned that owners of historically renovated and preserved commercial buildings can get a cut on their ad valorem taxes. Commissioner Samry stated that he
was on the Baldwin Historic Preservation but now Museum Director Gabriel GoldVukson will be a member. Commissioner Samry announced the Walking Tours are the last Saturday of the month. The Alabama Historical Association annual meeting will
be in Fairhope this April.
Commissioner Stein said she attended the Reenactment at Blakeley.
Commissioner Molyneux said she was waiting on Paige Crawford for America 250.
The following individuals spoke during Public Comments:
1)Fred Granade, who lives in the Bluff neighborhood, asked the Commission to please
explore incentives. He stated 50 percent or more homes are demolished. Mr. Granade
commented that the Schneider Report is a wreck.
2)Don DeGutz, 110 Blakeney Avenue, mentioned a partial demolition on Morphy with
20' setback in R-2 District and non-conforming. He said to look at the Zoning
Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan. Mr. DeGutz said the Schneider Report is a good
report. He mentioned three homes just turned over to new owners and we need to
reach out to them.
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Commissioner Jones moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Golson, motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
There being no further business to come before the Fairhope Historic Preservation
Commission, the meeting was duly adjourned at 4:49 p.m.
Mara Hunter, Chair
��City Clerk