A copy of the proposed RHR Ordinance is included in the January 17th Council Packet at www.daphneal.com. Click on legislative, then council packet to download the pdf file. A copy will be posted on this site when available. For a graphic depicting an approximate scale of buildings in the new zone see: Height Graphic. For resident's comments see: Public Comments from Visioning Meeting.  See: Summary of Proposed/Alternate Planning District for information related to developing the new zone. For a copy of the survey developed by Cathy Barnette, District 2, click on: Daphne Height Survey . For survey results, Click on :Height Survey  and District Breakdown for results to date.

Overview of Public Hearings related to Residential High Rise (RHR) Zone Ordinance:

■On October 2nd, the City Council voted to approve the Residential High Rise Zone (RHR) 6-1.  The boundary of the zone will be north of Van Buren to I-10 and west of Hwy 98.  The height limit is set at 200', plus a calculation for mechanicals on the roof not to exceed 15'.

■On July 17th, the City Council extended the moratorium for high rise construction to October 2nd. The Council also  voted to send two recommendations to the Planning Commission: (1) The RHR zone boundary remain Van Buren Avenue and (2) The height be set at 200'. The motion to set the height at 140' was defeated 5 to 2

■ April 3rd (Monday) at 6:30 the City Council discussed extending the moratorium on the request for height variances so that the Planning Commission will have time to review and make recommendations to the Council regarding the Image Map and addition of another RHR zone.  The
Council returned the Ordinance to the Planning Commission for discussion. A moratorium on request for high rise construction as been extended to July 17, 2006

■ March 30th (Thursday) at 6:00p.m. the Planning Commission discussed proposed changes to the Residential High Rise (RHR) zone recommended by the City Council.  Including possible changes:  (1) Remove the Image Map  and (2) ADD  the Village Overlay District, and two adjacent parcels to the north of the Overlay District, also for RHR use.  See:  Proposed High Rise Zones/Village Overlay. This new recommendation would guarantee that condo development will only be in those 2 areas!  Currently, the height limit will remain 215 ft for both proposed zones.

■ March 20th, 2006. The Council sent the Residential High Rise (RHR) Ordinance back to the Planning Commission with a reccomendation to remove the Image Map.  The Council also recommended that the Planning Commission include two adjacent parcels to the north boundary of the Village Overlay District for RHR use. This recommendation guarantees that condo development will only be in those 2 areas!  Currently, the height limit remains 215 ft.  The moratorium will need to be extended again at the April 3rd Council meeting to allow time for the Planning Commission to modify the Ordinance and send it back to the Council for approval.

■ March 16, 2006.  The City Council discussed the removal of section G, the Image Map and reached no conclusions.

■ February 16th, 2006. The City Council held a work session to discuss the proposed Residential High Rise (RHR) zone and height Ordinance. Items discussed included height,  Section G regarding the image map, and how future requests for high rise variances will be handled. 

■ February 6, 2006.  The City Council met to discuss the RHR zone and height limits.  After several votes and discussion regarding expanding the zone to Jordan St, lowering the height to 140' and eliminating Section G (related to the image map) the Council did not approve the Ordinance.  If Section G is removed,  there is the possibility that the Ordinance will be sent back to the Planning Commission.  The future plans of the Council are to be determined.  The moratorium on height limits was extended to April 7, 2006.

■January 31, 2006. Daphne City Council Work Session: To discuss potential changes to the Residential High Rise (RHR) Ordinance.  January 31st, 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The pub

■ January 26, 2006 (Thursday) 6:00 Daphne Council Chambers

Public Hearing to discuss changes to the City Land Use Ordinances: Revisions to the Sign Ordinance.  See: Proposed changes to Sign Ordinance

■ January 17, 2006 (Tuesday) 6:30 P.M. City Council Chamber

The City Council held a Public Hearing to discuss the proposed RHR zone developed by the Planning Commission. (See December 8, 2005 below.) The Council is expected to vote to approve the Ordinance at the February 6th Council meeting. (The moratorium on requests for high rise construction ends on February 7th.) Take the time to complete the City of Daphne Height Survey and return it to Cathy Barnette at City Hall prior to the February 6th meeting. Encourage your friends and neighbors to complete a survey also. Our community leaders need to hear from you and have a clear understanding about what building height Daphne residents....and residents of the Eastern Shore.... feel is appropriate for our community and our region.

■ December 8, 2005 (Thursday)  2:00 P.M. City Council Chamber

The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing to discuss and adopt proposed amendments to the Daphne Land Use and Development Ordinance Residential High-Rise (RHR) zone. The Planning Commission voted to recommend to the Council a 200' height limit in the new RHR zone.

Words and terms defined include: Condominium Mid-Rise and Condominium High Rise requirements. Definitions of green space and open space will be added to the Ordinance at a future date.

International Building Codes will be required for all buildings over 50'.  Some environmental concerns addressed include: "the commission may require additional buffers may be required for the protection of streams, rivers, watersheds, wetlands or the like (see Section 38-4-3  which addresses buffers).  Other requirements that may be considered by the Planning Commission may include, but not limited to, reflective or specialized glass and lighting to serve as a flight path deterrent for migrating birds."

There were no provisions for connecting the zone with public sidewalks, boardwalks, beach access or a cohesive lighting plan.

The Table of Permitted Uses and Conditions in the new RHR zone indicates businesses to include: Indoor theater, apparel and accessory store, retail bakery, book store, cafe, grill , lunch counter and restaurant (but not including a night club, bar, tavern and drive in restaurant), convenience store, delicatessen, drug store, gift shop, retail grocery store, ice cream parlor,  or variety story.

■  Vision Statement and Image Map (adopted by the Planning Commission on November 22, 2005)

Comprehensive Plan

Purpose

To be the preferred residential waterfront community in South Alabama for families, retires and businesses.

Vision Statement

To be a safe, healthy, caring and progressive City committed to a high quality of life, financial self-sufficiency, a spirit of civic cooperation, a strong sense of community, and a positive environment for educational, personal, cultural, religious, and business growth.  Through comprehensive planning, the citizens of Daphne intend to manage and direct the City's growth, ensuring the highest quality of living for each resident by, preserving the residential climate, city image and small town character, stimulating the economic growth, and attracting quality industry, while preserving and protecting the natural environment and scenic beauty for all.

A new Image Map was approved which indicates an area for a Residential High Rise (RHR) zone.  The RHR zone includes the area north of Van Buren to I-10 and east of Hwy 98.

Last modified: 07/05/08.