TALE OF TWO CITIES

On Wonderful Wednesday we posted a story about Daphmont Neighborhood in Daphne.

MISERY LOVES COMPANY

Daphne and Fairhope have a lot more in common than some think. One thing is that, if you allow the developers full rein, they will develop every square inch of land. Fairhope has Fly Creek Apartments and Daphne has the Daphmont neighborhood at Johnson road and highway 98. The intersection has already been impacted by the recent construction of apartments. Daphne planning board OKs 19-building apartment complex Mobile-based Big Sandy LLC is developing the 20-acre site, southeast of the intersection of Johnson Road and the state highway, as Colonnade at Eastern Shore.

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I attended the Daphne Planning and Zoning Board meeting, along with over 100 other people, all concerned about a request to change the zoning on a parcel that is located at the entrance to Daphmont Subdivision. Now I admit that I have become a little jaded when it comes to city officials doing the right thing, listing to citizens, so I was little negative when I got to the meeting.

I went to the meeting to see if Daphne operated any different than Fairhope. The first observation that I made was that Fairhope and Daphne Planning and Zoning boards, operate independent of each other. Both make decisions that impact each others municipalities however never communicate with one another. That’s how you get apartments on apartments and gas stations on every corner.

The proposed 24 hour service station with a drive through food service was proposed for the intersection of Johnson Road and Highway 98, next to the recently built Colonaid Apartments. If you travel 98 this affects you and your drive time.

Many people spoke against the re-zoning none spoke for it. One women explained that after the school bus left the apartments, which was the first stop, and entered Daphmont, that the bus was full by the third stop. Another person spoke of all the negative effects of 24 hour convenience stores and the crime and congestion that comes with it. Others spoke of how the apartments have had a profoundly negative effect on the subdivision already. A college student, from U of A in Tuscaloosa, said when she returned to her neighborhood and saw the apartments she cried.

The developer said they were only going to develop the first of the three lots to be re zoned and explained that the grade was such that he doubted it would be developed. It was then pointed out that they built the apartments in a gully and old sand pit and did not believe one damn word about not developing the balance of property.

The neighborhood came out in force and were very direct about their rejection of any zoning request.

Then I witnessed something I have never seen in Fairhope. The planning and zoning board rejected the request and recommended to the Daphne City Council do the same. They listened to the CITIZENS, CITIZENS, CITIZENS.

FAIRHOPE “CITIZENS CITIZENS CITIZENS”

FAIRHOPE “CITIZENS CITIZENS CITIZENS” WAKE UP! Mayor Wilson told Jack Burrell, Council President, Airport Authority Board member and liaison to the city, and who also sits on the committee to select bids for the Authority: “I can promise you people … are concerned.” Wilson’s said that the Airport Authority’s debt represents 21 percent of Fairhope’s overall borrowing. In an effort to pay it down, as well as come up with a plan to market 258 acres that the Airport Authority purchased in 2007 for $8.

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That is the power of people however in Fairhope, 9 meetings have been held in relation to Fly Creek Apartments, with a total of over 1000 attending, 99% opposed the project.

Despite public outcry, Fly Creek apartments win approval

For nearly three hours on Monday and for the second time in nearly two months, Fairhope residents railed against a proposed apartment development behind the Publix on U.S. Highway 98

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Fairhope Planning and Zoning as well as the council have yet to listen to the Citizens Citizens Citizens.

The last meeting of the city council to discuss the apartments cowered, held their hands over their ears and closed their eyes. Only one council person was listening, the rest had been castrated.

Controversial Fly Creek apartments get extension

The Fly Creek upscale apartment development was a key issue in last year’s Fairhope municipal elections, costing some city leaders their offices. At least some voters hoped with a new

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The mayor of Fairhope has never wavered in her opposition to the project while most of the council has plugged ears, a mouthful of marbles and no balls.

Congratulations Daphmont neighborhood and the Daphne Planning and Zoning Board.

GOB’S and GOOBERS

Beavis and Butthead are dragging Fairhope into an abyss, with the help of GOB’s and Goobers.