Mobile City Planning Commission approves multiple subdivisions, denies McFarland Road sidewalk waiver

The Mobile City Planning Commission on Sept. 19 approved a series of subdivision plats and several sidewalk-waiver requests but denied a sidewalk waiver connected to a 108-lot subdivision at 231 McFarland Road.

The commission voted to approve the subdivision for 231 McFarland Road but denied the applicant’s request to waive the sidewalk requirement. The applicant, Tim Lawley of Sawgrass Engineering, told commissioners the project team was working with city engineering to remove milling from the plans and “just do some restriping.” In public comment, resident Ashley Thrash said she opposed the proposed townhomes near her backyard and asked the commission to deny the plan or move the units, saying, “I’m asking that you deny them or move them to the other side of the subdivision … a two story townhome completely towers over my kid playing in the yard.” Staff noted there is roughly 100 feet between Thrash’s property line and the nearest townhome but pointed out a hammerhead turnaround and stub in the plan that affect the immediate geometry.

Beyond McFarland Road, the commission approved a number of other subdivision applications, including a 64-lot resubmittal on Dawes Road that the applicant said is nearing completion with paving and sidewalk work remaining, and…