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Planning commission holds over proposed three‑lot subdivision at 61 South McGregor after neighbors raise safety, access concerns
Summary
The City of Mobile Planning Commission delayed action on a three‑lot subdivision proposed for 61 South McGregor, citing neighbor concerns about access, private‑drive maintenance and fire‑truck access; commissioners asked parties to negotiate a road‑maintenance agreement and address fire access before the May 15 meeting.
The City of Mobile Planning Commission on April 17 held over a proposed three‑lot subdivision at 61 South McGregor, known in the agenda as the Grama MacGregor Estate subdivision, after neighbors raised safety and access concerns and commissioners said they wanted a road‑maintenance agreement and clearer fire‑access plans before final action.
The applicant, Charles Gray, told the commission he intended to split the roughly 1‑acre parcel into three lots — two fronting McGregor and one oriented to Warren Court. “I intend to … subdivide it into 3 lots, 2 facing McGregor and 1 on Warren Court,” Gray said during the public hearing.
Neighbors opposed the plan as drawn. Peyton Matei, who said he lives at 3804 Warren Court, told the commission the private drive is the only public‑road access for multiple houses and said adding traffic would create safety hazards for children who walk in the area. “Bringing more traffic to this drive is a safety issue,” Matei said, and said he submitted a nine‑signature petition and neighbor letters opposing the proposal.
Commission discussion emphasized legal access, maintenance and emergency access. Commissioners noted uncertainty about which property owners have recorded easements for Warren Court, and Commissioner Kurt Mate said the record indicates several residents use the driveway. Fire officials asked that the drive provide room for fire apparatus, which typically requires a 20‑foot clear width for two trucks to pass and operate.
Commissioners and staff recommended either approval conditioned on a signed road‑maintenance agreement among the affected property owners or a holdover to allow the applicant and neighbors time to resolve maintenance and access issues. “I think you can hold it over and give them time to work out a road maintenance agreement,” said a commissioner during deliberations. The commission voted to hold the item over to the May 15 meeting.
The holdover leaves the application unresolved; commissioners asked the applicant and adjacent property owners to negotiate a road‑maintenance agreement and to address fire‑access width before the May 15 hearing. The applicant and neighbors may also be asked to provide clearer plats showing setbacks and sidewalk locations if the design changes.
The action on April 17 was procedural: the commission voted to hold the application over rather than approve or deny it. The item will return to the commission’s agenda on May 15 for further consideration once the parties provide the requested documentation or agreement.
