1407 - July 24
PLANNING & DEVELOPME NT DEPARTMENT
102 WEST MAIN STREET PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA 36067 334-595-0500 334-361 -3677 FACSIMILE
planning.prattvilleal.gov
CITY OF PRATTVILLE
PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA
Special Meeting
July 24, 2014
3:00pm
Call to Order:
Roll Call:
Mayor Gillespie, Councilman Boles, Chairman Smith, Vice-Chairman Gardner, Chief Johnson, Mrs.
Carpenter, Mr. Hall, Mr. McAuley, and Mr. Nelson.
Minutes:
May 15, 2014 and June 19, 2014
Old Business:
1. Preliminary Plat: HomePlace Phase 1 Plat J (Revised)
Location: Fire Fly at Constitution Avenue
Owners: HomePlace Developers, Inc.
Representative: Chambliss Engineering
Held 6/19
District 5
New Business:
.
Miscellaneous:
2. Re-Plat: Oster Properties Plat 1-A
Location: 2498 Constitution Avenue
Owner: Oster Properties, LLC
Representative: Alabama Land Surveyors, Inc
3. Re-Plat: Willow Ridge Apartments, Plat 2
Location – 520 Old Farm Lane South
Owner: Old Farm Properties, LLC
Representative: J.M. Garrett and Son, Inc.
District 5
District 5
Adjourn:
Approved 8/21/14
Prattville Planning Commission
July 24, 2014
Special Meeting
Page 1 of 3
CITY OF PRATTVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Special Meeting
(July 17, 2014 Regular Agenda)
July 24, 2014
Call to order:
Chairman Tim Smith called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Roll Call:
The secretary called the roll. Present: Mayor Bill Gillespie, Councilman Boles, Chairman Tim
Smith, Vice-Chairman Reuben Gardner, Chief Dallis Johnson, Mr. Gene Hall, and Mr. Bobby
Nelson. Absent: Mrs. Carpenter and Mr. McAuley.
(Quorum present)
Staff present: Mr. Joel Duke, City Planner and George Stathopoulos, Senior Planner.
Minutes:
A correction to line 59 of the June 19, 2014 minutes was noted by Chairman Smith – “Bart Bush”
rather than “Mark Bush”. Councilor Boles motioned to approve the May 15, 2014 minutes as
mailed and the June 19, 2014 minutes as corrected. Chief Johnson seconded the motion. The
motion was approved unanimously.
(Chair elected to hear and discuss Items 2 and 3 prior to considering Item 1)
Old Business:
1. Preliminary Plat: HomePlace Phase 1 Plat J (Revised)
Location: Fire Fly at Constitution Avenue
Owners: HomePlace Developers, Inc.
Representative: Chambliss Engineering
Chairman Smith introduced item, which was held at the June 19, 2014 meeting. He asked that
the record reflect that he had conversations in the preceding week with Bob Champion
(HomePlace Farms) and Cathryne McCall (1006 Saddle Ridge – adjacent property)
concerning the plat under consideration. He asked that Mr. Duke provide background on the
request and information concerning the status.
Mr. Duke reviewed the items in his July 16, 2014 memorandum to the Commission. DHS-
Holding-3, Inc. requests approval of a 6 lot subdivision contained in 6.68 acres at the current
end of Firefly in the residential section of the HomePlace PUD. The subdivision’s lots range
from 1 acre to 1.22 acre. The lots will front on an extension of a street, Firefly, designed in
accordance the original HomePlace PUD street standards and terminating as a cul-de-sac.
Phase 1(J) was initially submitted and approved in 2005 with 19 lots, but never constructed.
Approved 8/21/14
Prattville Planning Commission
July 24, 2014
Special Meeting
Page 2 of 3
The original plat continued Barn Cut from Phase 1(C) to an intersection with Firefly creating a
looped street. He stated that the item was held at the June 19, 2014 meeting pending resolution
of two primary questions raised in the public hearing by neighbors: 1) treatment of the
terminated street, Barn Cut and 2) preservation of the non-buildable lots platted with Phase
1(C).
Mr. Duke stated that the applicant addressed the questions in a letter that was forwarded
Commissioners and submitted a revised lot layout including the existing non-buildable lots
from Plat 1(C). Mr. Duke stated that city staff has no objection to the submitted plat and finds
it to be in substantial compliance with the HomePlace PUD development agreement.
The chairman recognize Mr. Bob Champion, representing HomePlace Development, and
asked him to provide further details. Mr. Champion stated that he had met with adjacent
residents on July 15 to discuss their concerns and present the proposed plans. He stated that
the non-buildable portions of the Plat J that had been platted with Plat C now appeared in the
plan unaltered and that Barn Cut will be formally terminated with curb and gutter and a
sidewalk connection each side of the street. He state his belief that the adjacent residents
were satisfied with the proposed changes.
Mr. Hall asked about a letter submitted to the Commission by Ms. Cathryne McCall.
Chairman Smith noted that Ms. McCall was in attendance. Mr. Hall asked if she was satisfied
with the adjustments proposed by HomePlace. She stated that she was in agreement with the
adjusted plat.
The motion held on June 19, 2014 was approved unanimously.
New Business:
2. Re-Plat: Oster Properties, Plat 1-A
Location: 2498 Constitution Avenue
Owner: Oster Properties, LLC
Representative: Alabama Land Surveyors
Chairman Smith asked Mr. Duke to provide information on the item. Mr. Duke stated that in
early 2013, a 1.1 acre parcel was created from the James Hopson Sanford Property located in
the southeast corner of the intersection of Constitution Avenue and U. S. Highway 82
intersection using the one-lot sell-off provision of the Prattville Subdivision Regulations
(Article IV, Section E.4). The buyer of the 1.1 acre parcel, Oster Golf Houses, developed the
B-2 zoned property as a short-term lodging overlooking the Capitol Hill Golf Course. Mr.
Duke further stated that Oster Golf Houses is requesting permission to re-plat the single lot
into a .53 acre lot and a .57 acre lot to permit development of another rental unit. These units
are served by an access easement that will be converted to a public road with the future
development of Sanford property. Mr. Duke added a recommendation that the re-plat be
approved as submitted.
Mr. Hall made a motion to approve the re-plat as presented. Mr. Gardner seconded the motion.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Approved 8/21/14
Prattville Planning Commission
July 24, 2014
Special Meeting
Page 3 of 3
3. Re-Plat: Willow Ridge Apartments, Plat 2
Location: 520 Old Farm Lane South
Owner: Old Farm Properties, LLC
Representative: J.M. Garrett and Son, Inc.
At the Chairman’s request, Mr. Duke presented the re-plat submitted as Willow Ridge
Apartments, Plat 2. He stated that Old Farm Properties, LLC request permission to adjust the
location of lines platted in the Willow Ridge Apartments, Plat 1 as a part of a restructuring of
the property’s financing and ownership. The adjustment places the vacant property in one lot
and the built apartment buildings in the other. He recommended approval as submitted.
Mr. Boles moved to approve the re-plat known as Willow Ridge Apartments, Plat 1 as
submitted. Mr. Nelson seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Miscellaneous Business:
Adjourn:
The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joel T. Duke
City Planner
Planning & Development Department
102 West Main Street Prattville, Alabama 36067 334-361-3613 334-361-3677 Facsimile
planning.prattvilleal.gov
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 16, 2014
TO: Prattville Planning Commission
FROM: Joel T. Duke, City Planner
RE: July 17, 2014 - Agenda
Please accept this memorandum as the Planning Department staff report for items on the July
17, 2014 agenda.
1. Preliminary Plat – HomePlace PUD, Phase 1(J) – Firefly at Constitution Avenue: DHS-
Holding-3, Inc. requests approval of a 6 lot subdivision contained in 6.68 acres at the current
end of Firefly in the residential section of the HomePlace PUD. The subdivision’s lots range
from 1 acre to 1.22 acre. The lots will front on an extension of a street, Firefly, designed in
accordance the original HomePlace PUD street standards and terminating as a cul-de-sac.
Plase 1(J) was initially submitted and approved in 2005 with 19 lots, but never constructed.
The original plat continued Barn Cut from Phase 1(C) to an intersection with Firefly creating
a looped street. This item was held at the June 19 meeting pending resolution of two
primary questions raised in the public hearing by neighbors: 1) treatment of the terminated
street, Barn Cut and 2) preservation of the non-buildable lots platted with Phase 1(C).
The applicant has addressed these questions in the attached letter and submitted a revised
lot layout including the existing non-buildable lots from Plat 1(C). City staff has no objection
to the submitted plat and find it to be in substantial compliance with the HomePlace PUD
development agreement.
2. Re-Plat – Oster Properties, Plat 1A: In early 2013, a 1.1 acre parcel was created from the
James Hopson Sanford Property located in the southeast corner of the intersection of
Constitution Avenue and U. S. Highway 82 intersection using the one-lot sell-off provision of
the Prattville Subdivision Regulations (Article IV, Section E.4). The buyer of the 1.1 acre
parcel, Oster Golf Houses, developed the B-2 zoned property as a short-term lodging
overlooking the Capitol Hill Golf Course. Oster Golf Houses is requesting permission to re-
plat the single lot into a .53 acre lot and a .57 acre lot to permit development of another
July 16, 2014
Prattville Planning Commission
Page 2
rental unit. These units are served by an access easement that will be converted to a public
road with the future development of Sanford property. Recommend approval.
3. Re-Plat – Willow Ridge Apartments, Plat 2: Old Farm Properties, LLC request permission
to adjust the location of lines in the Willow Ridge Apartments, Plat 1 as a part of a
restructuring of the property’s financing and ownership. Recommend approval.
If you have any questions concerning these items, please do not hesitate to contact me or stop
by the office.
July 11, 2014
Dear Mr. Duke and Planning Commissioners,
On behalf of HomePlace Developers, I would like to address the areas of concern brought to you in a
letter dated June 25, 2014 from Kathryn McCall. Preliminary Plat Phase 1(J) has evolved from changing
economic conditions and current market demand. Modifications from the initial sketch plan to what is
being presented for approval as Phase 1(J) have developed from a specific buyer. The deviation in lot
size resulting in a reduction in the number of lots to be developed and the redesign of Firefly and
completion of Barn Cut works to preserve natural areas such as Fay Branch while enhancing the overall
HomePlace residential plan by providing greater variety of lot sizes and housing types.
The following three paragraphs specifically address areas of concern presented by Mrs. McCall in her
letter: 1) Planned Unit Development (PUD) District Inconsistencies; 2) Barn Cut Street; 3) Green Space
and “No build” Zones.
1) PUD Inconsistencies
a. One of the main objectives for the HomePlace PUD zoning as stated in Attachment C is
to protect/maintain Fay Branch (See Paragraph 1). The reduction in the proposed
number of lots in the original HomePlace sketch plan from 19 to now 6 proposed in
Phase 1(J) significantly helps to obtain that objective by reducing the overall impact to
the creek bank and bed. Phase 1(J) eliminates the original design that presented
alleyways being constructed closer to the creek which would have created a larger
impact to that area. Also, the houses will be constructed further away from the creek
bank which also aids in obtaining this first PUD objective.
b. Another objective of the HomePlace PUD is providing portions of the property as open
space. The areas of green space included as part of the Phase 1(C) plat were
significantly more than required by Attachment C. Phase 1(J) preliminary plat has been
revised to illustrate the areas of open green space located between existing alleyway
and proposed lots.
c. Responses to Prattville Codes for PUDs in relation to neighborhood compatibility and
natural preservation: The letter only points out part of the code that covers
compatibility while not covering the end of the sentence that permits greater variety in
type of design, siting of structures, and combination of uses. It is our opinion that the
larger lots will provide a product that was not in the original plan so therefore it is
actually more in line with the City’s definition of PUD. Also, the letter points out that
Phase 1(J) is contrary to Section 112-Community Objectives, paragraphs 1 and 4.
Actually, the change in design from the original 19 lots to 6 lots “…promotes choice in
housing type, lot size, or neighborhood environment…” better. In reference to the
harmony of comprehensive plan in paragraph 4, the covenants and restrictions for The
HomePlace and the Design Criteria for each home constructed protects and promotes
the harmony of the development.
2) Barn Cut Street
a. The letter states that the proposed plan has the potential to reduce property value,
negatively affect traffic flow, and impede access by emergency services. The proposed
termination of Barn Cut was not to leave as it currently is unfinished but to complete as
deemed necessary by the Planning Commission and Staff. Phase 1(J) has been revised
to illustrate the three point turn or “T” turn around, as determined acceptable with
Clyde Chambliss and Dallis Johnson of the Fire Department. This has been deemed as
appropriate access for emergency services by Planning Department staff and officials.
The proposed development of Phase 1(J) should not negatively impact the property
values of the established Phase 1(C) development but should actually help to increase
the values of the established neighborhood.
3) Green Space and “No build” Zones
a. The green space that was platted in Phase 1(C) as Parcel D and E is not to be disturbed
or changed. This area was inadvertently left off the preliminary Phase 1(J) plat, but the
plat has been revised to include the parcels as originally platted. The inclusion of the
green space area mitigates the letter’s stated concern that there could be potential
damage to the neighborhood and the Prattville drainage system. Regardless, this is an
overstatement in that the platted green space provides proper drain pipe already in
place to promote proper drainage from these areas.
b. In the last paragraph related to green space, the statement is made that substantial
green space is shown between existing alleyway and proposed Phase 1(J) on the original
development plan. As mentioned above, that area will remain in order to preserve the
neighborhood’s natural features providing mature tree cover, natural groves, and
watercourses. Phase 1(J) adheres to the proper amount of green space as mandated by
PUD agreement Attachment C.
In conclusion, I hope that the concerns of the letter have been fully addressed to all parties’ satisfaction
and will be presented as such at the appropriate time for the Commission’s consideration in approving
this preliminary plat. There will be an effort to reach out to all residents of The HomePlace to inform
them of these concerns before the appropriate meeting of the Planning Commission.
Please do not hesitate to contact me on this or any other issue. Thank you for your time and service to
our community.
Sincerely,
Bob Champion
COBBS FORD RDTHE EXCHANGE NOLD FARM LN SHWY 82 BYP ESUGAR EXCHANGE
COTTON EXCGTHE EXCHANGEVISTA POINT BLVD
HOWARD MURFEE DR
1825 SUGAR EXCG
1899 SUGAR EXCG
1460 COTTON EXCG
536 OLD FARM LN S
524 OLD FARM LN S
540 OLD FARM LN S
538 OLD FARM LN S
534 OLD FARM LN S
532 OLD FARM LN S
530 OLD FARM LN S528 OLD FARM LN S
422 OLD FARM LN S
510 OLD FARM LN S
518 OLD FARM LN S
516 OLD FARM LN S
514 OLD FARM LN S
512 OLD FARM LN S
500 OLD FARM LN S
502 OLD FARM LN S
504 OLD FARM LN S
506 OLD FARM LN S
508 OLD FARM LN S
424 OLD FARM LN S
526 OLD FARM LN S
522 OLD FARM LN S 520 OLD FARM LN S
1801 THE EXCHANGE
2259 COBBS FORD RD
2265 COBBS FORD RD2261 COBBS FORD RD
2231 COBBS FORD RD
2301 COBBS FORD RD
2295 COBBS FORD RD
2257 COBBS FORD RD
2227 COBBS FORD RD
2223 COBBS FORD RD
2211 COBBS FORD RD
2201 COBBS FORD RD
600 OLD FARM LANE S
2203 HOWARD MURFEE DR
2277 COBBS FORD RD (E)2277 COBBS FORD RD (C & D)
²
1 inch = 200 feet Aerial photography date: March 2010
Legend
Autauga Co Tax Parcel
CITY_LIMIT
Location Map
Willow Ridge Apts, Plat 2