Open Letter to Steve Alexander FOX News

I saw the Fox news team this morning at Parker Road and High ridge Road for what appeared to be a groundbreaking for the Fairhope Fire station. I know you are aware of the controversy surrounding the location. The location favors the land owner and developer, not the city.

I understand the pressure of developing stories for Fox News and if this story is a simple “kiss the baby” or filler news with no substance or investigative reporting, then the PUBLIC will see this in your reporting tonight.

If you are concerned about the PUBLIC and Taxpayer and your viewers as well as being honest, then I hope will consider the following: Read the complaint letter, The Ripp Report #28, read Lagniappe, Jan 8, 15 Dale Liesch Proposed Fairhope townhome development shelved, to start.

Now consider this: The location violates the city of Fairhope’s Comprehensive Plan, a plan the city demands that everyone abides by except the city. Comprehensive Plan page48 section 5.4 neighborhoods Form and Function. “Cul-de-sacs or dead end streets should be avoided, except for where topographic constraints or important natural features make connections impractical. However, local streets should discourage through traffic either through narrow cross sections, off-set or “T” intersections, or other traffic-calming devices.” Calming devices will be required at the intersection, as the fire truck will approach blind to most oncoming traffic.

On Oct. 28, 2014 at Fairhope Public Library, the general public were invited to participate in a discussion and explanation, of the city of Fairhope’s Comprehensive plan, approximately 150 people showed up. This was sponsored by the city with Thompson Engineering and a guest lecturer. During the discussion the speaker stressed the importance of the city’s responsibility to adjoining jurisdictions, county or municipalities. That the city should not develop in these areas if it impacted people living outside of Fairhope, clearly this is not compliant to the comprehensive plan. The fire station location is located on a county road facing county residents, who will have property values as well as their quality of life negatively affected. Steve did you interview them?

There are three entrances within 30 feet of one another and all within 100 feet of the intersection of Parker rd. and Highway 98 that a fire truck will have to navigate just to get to the light, approaching the intersection from a dead end.

SEVEN people have lost their lives at this intersection, the most dangerous in Fairhope.

Baldwin County road engineers as well as Aldot had not been informed about this project, until I inquired about it.

No other alternative location was ever discussed or considered by the city, no public participation, no public meetings, and no traffic studies.

In 2009 when the city was under a different city council and police chief, Volunteer fireman questioned the safety of the location. Remember they are volunteers and must first respond to the station prior to responding to the fire, they will make 4 trips through the intersection for each fire or emergency call. In 2009 The location was deemed unsafe and never got off the ground.

Check the development plot map and you will see the fire station as part of the proposed apartment complex, this is a selling point by the land owner to the potential developers of HIS property.

Also consider that the owner of the property violated numerous conditions outlined by planning and zoning in the first phase of the Publix Shopping Center construction; the Tree Committee estimated approximately $950,000 worth of damage to trees that were illegally removed. Fly Creek completely lost its channel after it was illegally filled with red clay storm water runoff from the construction site. Proper BMPs (Best Management Practices) were not followed or properly installed.

The fire department is funded by taxpayers and accepts public donations, however local citizens were totally eliminated from any public participation regarding the location of the new station. So we give them money and are expected to remain silent? I do hope you will ask each council person to explain. Don’t bother with the Mayor; this is his good ole boy deal with the land owner.

Francis Paul Ripp