**The Baldwin County Comprehensive Plan Draft is available for review and comment. The Draft Plan can be found at baldwinourvision.com**
**Changes are expected to the Orange Beach Sign Ordinance relating to real estate signs. The Orange Beach Planning Commission is expected to vote on changes at the January 9, 2023, meeting at 4:00 p.m.**
Baldwin County Planning Commission Meeting – December 1, 2022
Re-Zoning Sought for Belforest Property
The Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to recommend the re-zoning of 4.1 acres located in the Belforest area. The property is on the east side of Hwy. 181, south of County Rd. 64. The property has a combination of RSF-E and B-1 zoning and is currently being used as a residential use. The applicant is requesting the zoning change for future development of business office and storage units.
Baldwin County Commission Meeting – December 5, 2022
Amendment Approved for Family Subdivision Exemptions
The Baldwin County Commission approved changes to the family subdivision exemption process for dividing parcels among family members. There is a revised definition of family division to designate legally related immediate family members to include an owner’s spouse, parent, child, and/or siblings as well as a stepchild or adopted child of the property owner. An affidavit executed by each proposed grantee certifying their relationship as an immediate family member to the owner/grantor will be required. A birth certificate or equivalent document verifying the relationship between the grantor and grantee will also be required. The deed will have to be recorded by the eligible recipient within 30 days of issuance of the subdivision exemption letter.
Fairhope Planning Commission Meeting – December 5, 2022
Re-Zoning Recommended for Greeno Rd.
The Fairhope Planning Commission voted to recommend the approval of a re-zoning application for 4 parcels totaling 3.5 acres. The property is located at each side of the entrance to Huntington Woods, off Greeno Rd. One parcel is located north of Farringdon Blvd. and the others are south of Farringdon Blvd. The were no immediate plans disclosed for development of the parcels. The parcels which are currently zoned R-1 are seeking re-zoning to the HTD (Highway Transition Dist.) zoning. The intent of the HTD Dist. Is to provide alternatives to properties along state highways in the city that are beyond areas of influence of the Village Nodes and Commercial Nodes as contemplated by the Comprehensive Plan. The HTD Zoning Dist. Requires a minimum 100’ frontage on a state highway.
Fairhope City Council Meeting – December 12, 2022
Klump PUD Amended to Shift Roadway Design
The 75-acre parcel located at the northwest corner of Hwy. 181 and Fairhope Ave. in Fairhope, commonly known as the Klump PUD, received approval for a design change. The plans call for a combination of commercial lots fronting Hwy. 181 and Fairhope Ave., apartments in the center, and a nursing home facility on the northern side near Gayfer Ave. The plans came back before the City Council for a requested change to the driveway design. The revised driveway design will avoid an area of wetlands on the property and divert the entrance/exit from Hwy. 181 to Gayfer Ave.
Old Roadway Design
New Roadway Design
Orange Beach Planning Commission Meeting – December 12, 2022
Beachfront Lots Combined in Re-Subdivision
The Orange Beach Planning Commission approved the preliminary and final minor subdivision to combine three beachfront lots into one single lot. The lot combination was done in accordance with the approved master plan for the Saltwater Cottages PUD which was approved in October 2022. With the lot combination the lot will be approximately 126’ wide and cover 2.6 acres. There are three cottage homes planned for the site with a shared drive and shared dune walkover. The 3-story 4,400 square foot homes are planned to include 6 bedrooms each. The property is located at 23518, 23524, and 23530 Perdido Beach Blvd.
Romar Beach Hotel PUD Reviewed Again
The Romar Beach Hotel PUD was again before the Orange Beach Planning Commission. The project received approvals back in August of 2021, but those plans expired in August of 2022 without an extension. Since that time plans to construct a hotel on the property located at 23370 Perdido Beach Blvd., the former Romar Baptist Church, have changed slightly. The Orange Beach Planning Commission gave approval to the current PUD plan to re-zone 1.8 acres from RM-2 (Multi-Family Residential High Density) to PUD (Planned Unit Development) for the purpose of converting the existing building into a hotel. The Marriot Management Company is proposing an AC Retreat hotel from their line of hotels, a departure from their Loft line of hotel originally planned. The new design eliminates the pool and adds a rooftop bar for hotel guests. The 76-room hotel would provide 127 beds in traditional hotel room layouts. The development would be a total of six floors; first floor parking, second floor parking and lobby, with three levels of hotel rooms, and a rooftop bar level. There are 95 parking spaces planned for guests. The management company has plans to shuttle employees to and from work to off-site parking areas.
Rendering of Hotel
Orange Beach City Council Meeting – December 13, 2022
Top Tier Water Sports Re-Zoning Approved
Top Tier Water Sports received approval for a zoning change for 1.5 acres located at 26023 Perdido Beach Blvd, behind Cotton’s Restaurant. The property is currently zoned Multi-Family Residential Medium to Low Density (RM-1). Owners sought the zoning change to a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The change will allow for the development of a parking area with over 50 spaces, an office building, and docks for Top Tier Water Sports boat rentals and dolphin cruises. The docks on Cotton Bayou could accommodate 8 pontoon boats, a 64’ cruise boat, and an 8-slip marina with pier docking.
Gulf Shores Planning Commission Meeting – December 13, 2022
Site Plan Approval Recommended for Canal Dr. Development
The Gulf Shores Planning Commission sent a favorable recommendation to the City Council for approval of the site plan and conditional use permit for a multi-family development to be located at 419 E. Canal Dr. There are 10 residential units planned for the site. There are 2 duplexes and 2 triplexes proposed. All units will be 2-bedrooms. The site is located within the Waterway Overlay District.
Architectural Renderings of 419 E. Canal Drive
Summerdance Marinas Site Plan Approved
The Gulf Shores Planning Commission gave approval for the site plan to construct three marina basins in accordance with the approved permits from the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers. The 218-acre property is currently vacant and wooded with 9,000 feet of shoreline on the north side of the Intracoastal Waterway, southeast of the airport. The marina basins will complement the previously approved mixed-use plan that calls for over 3,000 residential units to be constructed in the area along with commercial and retail. Plans also call for access from Waterway East Blvd which is being extended. Construction on the extension of Waterway East Blvd. is expected to begin in January of 2023 with spoils from the marina being used in the roadway construction.
Marina Rendering
Daphne City Council Meeting – December 19, 2022
Daphne to Begin Regulating Short-Term Rentals
The Daphne City Council approved changes that will now require operators of short-term rentals (defined as anything less than 180 consecutive days) to have a business license with the city. In addition to the business license owners and management companies will be required to obtain a $20 permit from the city for each property address that is being rented short term. The changes also include standard health and safety precautions which must be followed. The City has also indicated that it will be considering further restrictions based on zoning and location. Those details have not been shared yet.
Spanish Fort City Council Meeting – December 19, 2022
The Spanish Fort City Council gave final approval to amend the table of permitted uses in their zoning ordinance to remove warehouse, storage and distribution facilities in B-4 zoning. Going forward they would only be permitted by right in M1 zoning. The Spanish Fort Planning Commission recommended the change at their November meeting.
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