Planning commission recommends Fairhope Boarding House site plan with rooftop conditions; approves linked 3‑unit MOP

The Fairhope City Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 5 recommended approval to the Fairhope City Council of SR 25.08, the site plan for the Fairhope Boarding House at the northeast corner of Fairhope Avenue and Church Street, and separately approved SD 25.16, a related three‑unit multiple‑occupancy project.

Mike Jeffries of the City of Fairhope Planning Department presented the proposal, describing the B‑2 (Central Business District) zoning and a revised rooftop terrace that staff said is “designed to serve meals and drinks for the boarding house customers and their guests.” Jeffries told commissioners staff recommends approval subject to conditions, including revision of utility plans to reflect a minimum transformer pad and a requirement that “the architect shall certify at the time of building permit that all mechanical equipment is at or below 40 feet.”

Architect Ryan Baker said the applicant revised plans after the December meeting to address utility conflicts, add storage on the second and third floors, relocate a gas meter that previously encroached on the loading zone, and reduce seating on the rooftop. “I really want to thank the planning commission… for offering so many good suggestions,” Baker said, adding the rooftop’s southern portion is reserved for temporary use for special events and that final structural anchorage will be determined during permit review.

Staff told the commission the proposed uses are a first‑floor restaurant and med spa/office, with boarding‑house guest rooms on the second and third floors and a permanent live‑on manager. The med‑spa use was described as a use on appeal that would require Board of Adjustment approval if pursued. Staff also reported that the project’s traffic analysis showed fewer than 1,000 daily trips and fewer than 50 peak trips, numbers that do not trigger a full traffic‑impact study.

Commissioners questioned how the rooftop accessory use would be enforced if events generated noise or traffic. A staff speaker, Chris, summarized the ordinance standard: accessory uses must not create “levels of noise, odors, vibration and lighting, degrees of traffic and congestion, dust or pollutants in a greater amount than is customarily created by the principal use.” Chris added that if an accessory use became regularly problematic, city enforcement could take action, including requiring the boarding house to cease operation until a full‑time manager is in place.

On a motion (moved by Speaker 2), the commission recommended approval of SR 25.08 to City Council with three conditions: approval of the associated MOP case SD 25.16, revision of utility plans to reflect a transformer pad minimum of 78 by 75 inches, and architect certification at permit stage that mechanical equipment will be at or below 40 feet. That recommendation passed 8–1.

The commission then voted to approve SD 25.16 as the subdivision/MOP decision before the commission, subject to the same staff conditions; the motion passed on an affirmative roll call. The staff recommendation and the commission’s conditions remain on record for City Council and for final building‑permit review.

Next steps: SR 25.08 is being forwarded to Fairhope City Council with the commission’s recommendation; SD 25.16 is approved by the commission and will proceed to permitting and any required Board of Adjustment review if the med‑spa use is pursued.