HomeMy WebLinkAboutFHPC Section 106 Findings for EBI Project No. 260063114PRSECTION 106 FINDING DOCUMENT
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EBI Project No.: 260063114PR
Fairhope, Alabama, Baldwin County
Project Description
Steps Taken to Identify Historic Properties
Evaluation of Project Impacts on Identified Historic Properties
The Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission has applied the Criteria of Adverse Effect (36 CFR 800.5(a)) to the historic core of downtown Fairhope, Alabama which comprises 111 historic
properties on portions of 10 blocks in the present commercial heart of the city. The majority of the buildings within Fairhope’s Downtown Historic and Central Business Districts are
one- and two-story commercial buildings located within the Project’s APE. Based on the information provided in this Section 106 Finding Document, City of Fairhope Historic Preservation
Commission in coordination with the Alabama SHPO, finds that this undertaking will have an Adverse Effect on Site No. 110.01, Minnich Rental Cottage #1, 84 South Section Street, Fairhope,
Alabama, Baldwin County.
The Minnich Rental Cottage #1, located at 84 South Section Street, Fairhope, Baldwin County, Alabama is part of a unique collection of five total early Colony cottages in stucco built
by O.K. Cummings, who came to Fairhope from Michigan in 1920 and was a founder of Baldwin County Savings and Loan Association and a building entrepreneur. Minnich Rental Cottage #1 is
part of five small gabled cottages arranged around a larger central house. They are characteristically side-gabled, stuccoed on Dyson block foundations, with various small entry porches.
The property features a central partial-façade gabled porch, 3V-over-1 wood sash windows; metal roof, interior brick chimney near roofbeam, exposed rafter tails.
Statement of National Register Qualifying Characteristics:
The Minnich Rental Cottage #1 as part of the Fairhope Downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places on the basis of Criterion A, Social History. Founded
in 1894, Fairhope was established on the philosophy of Henry George. The Fairhope Single Tax Colony remains the oldest, continuously operating Single Tax Community in the United States
today. Founded in 1908, the city of Fairhope and its related historic district exists because of the Single Tax idea. Core Single Tax philosophy promoted a single tax on land that would
be used to preserve and maintain community resources. Fairhope park-like city center, with tree lined-streets, flowers embedded along sidewalks, and underground telephone wires along
Section Street reflect over 100 years of Single Tax philosophy. Many of the historic qualities of the town remain etched in the historic city streetscape, including its intactness, density,
and historic idealism.
And of Criterion C, Architecture, Fairhope’s downtown contains intact blocks with a variety of common commercial styles from various periods. As such, the variety of styles and periods
of both commercial and residential properties in this district creates liveliness and interest without discord. The intact collection of commercial and residential structures represent
national building styles and trends adapted by local conditions and builders to serve the needs of the distinctive community.
Thus, the proposed scale of work at Minnich Rental Cottage #1, 84 South Section Street, would result in an immediate disruption to the historic streetscape. The cell tower would be an
eyesore to the immediate and surrounding properties, leading to a greater obfuscation of the historic beauty, charm, and balance that Fairhope offers to visitors and residents.
As such, the Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission recommends that any and all cell towers be placed outside the historic district. Any proposed cell towers for inside the historic
districts should be entered into anMemorandum of Agreement (MOA). Preferred locations to that proposed for 84 South Street include those along S. Bancroft Street.
Moreover, while the Commission recognizes the necessity of greater telecommunications coverage within the Downtown Fairhope Historic District, the Commission asks for implementation
of mitigating efforts to the project that are safer, less sound intrusive, and minimize effects to either contributing or non-contributing historic properties to maintain the integrity
of Fairhope’s historic sites. Additionally, the Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission requests that mitigation include landscaping around its towers placed in or near historic areas
to maintain the charm and greenscape integral to Fairhope’s Historic identity.
The FHPC proposes the development of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the project, in accordance with 36 CFR 800.6(c).
Tribal Nation, Consulting Parties, and Public Involvement
FHPC Chair Hunter consulted with the AL SHPO on April 8, 2026, for guidance regarding Section 106 mitigation of pole placement. As such, Chair Hunter discussed with members of the Historic
Preservation Commission and Alabama Historic Commission our goal to limit visual obstructions within it, and in Section 106 cases, adjacent areas.
Attachments
Project Location Map
Area of Potential Effect Map