City of Fairhope Board of Adjustment Meeting July 20, 2026

The City of Fairhope Board of Adjustment held a meeting on July 20, 2026, addressing two main agenda items related to zoning variances and administrative appeals. The first item involved a public hearing on a request by Gina Little Page for a 15-foot front yard setback variance on a property in the R2 zone to allow construction of a single-family dwelling closer to the street due to natural drainage constraints at the rear of the lot. The board discussed the necessity of preserving a drainage easement and the potential impact of installing drainage pipes, with input from city engineers and neighbors. The variance was conditionally approved with requirements to record a drainage easement to protect stormwater flow. The second item was an administrative appeal by Francis McGawan and Carrie Bathick concerning a treehouse accessory structure built over property lines and within a utility easement in an R3 zone. The board reviewed zoning ordinance interpretations regarding setbacks and accessory structure lot coverage, ultimately finding that the planning staff erred in their review of the 25% lot coverage limit. The board unanimously ruled that the structure must be moved to comply with setback and easement requirements. The meeting concluded with announcements about upcoming applications and a downtown parking study work session.