Local Government Update - April 2026

Baldwin REALTORS
Apr 29
6 min read

Baldwin County Planning Commission Meeting – April 2, 2026

Boat and RV Storage Subdivision Approved on 45 Acres

The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved a preliminary and final plat for the Patel Boat and RV Storage Subdivision. The two-lot non-residential subdivision is located south of Hwy. 98 and east of County Road 95 in the Elberta area. The 45.04-acre property will be divided into two lots, with the smallest lot containing 12.35 acres. The subdivision is intended to support future boat and RV storage operations consisting of six buildings. Two buildings will be approximately 5,400 square feet each, while four buildings will be approximately 10,800 square feet each.

Fairhope Planning Commission Meeting – April 6, 2026

Three-Unit Interior Conversion Approved in Downtown Fairhope

A request for a Multiple Occupancy Permit was approved by the Fairhope Planning Commission for property located at 150 North Section Street at the northeast corner of Section Street and Pine Street. The project involves the interior renovation of an existing building to create three separate commercial units with no expansion of the building footprint. Two units will front Section Street and one will front Pine Street.

Magnolia Avenue Development Advances with Tree Preservation Focus

The Fairhope Planning Commission approved a mixed-use development known as Vatan located at 301 Magnolia Avenue in the Central Business District. The project consists of nine units within seven structures, including ground-floor commercial space with residential units above. The site had previously received approvals in 2023, but the original plat expired, requiring resubmittal. A key issue involved sidewalk placement along Magnolia Avenue and Church Street due to the presence of significant heritage trees. An arborist report recommended limiting or eliminating sidewalks to preserve tree health, with alternatives including reduced-width or no sidewalk construction. Commissioners expressed strong support for protecting the trees, while noting that final sidewalk decisions must be made by the City Council.

Vatan - Magnolia Ave. Development Renderings

Final Plat Approved for 81-Lot Greenfield Subdivision

The Fairhope Planning Commission approved the final plat for Greenfield Subdivision, an 81-lot residential development. The 40-acre property is located on the east side of County Road 13 north of County Road 32. The subdivision includes wetlands with a 30-foot buffer and multiple detention ponds. Staff noted several outstanding punch-list items including roadway cleanup, drainage corrections, ADA-compliant parking improvements, and stabilization of a mulch walking trail using adhesive and sod borders. A maintenance agreement will govern long-term upkeep of wetlands and common areas. Approval was granted subject to completion of all outstanding site and infrastructure items.

Stonevale Subdivision Preliminary Plat Approved Along Highway 181

The Fairhope Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for Stonevale Subdivision, a 16-lot single-family residential development zoned R-1. The 9.8-acre property is located on the west side of Highway 181 just north of Quail Creek. The development includes a 50-foot right-of-way internal street with a stub connection for future expansion, two stormwater detention ponds, and common areas intended to preserve significant existing trees.

Orange Beach Planning Commission Meeting – April 13, 2026

Wharf Landing Re-Zoning Receives Favorable Recommendation

The Orange Beach Planning Commission voted to recommend approval to the City Council for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) known as the Wharf Landing Residential District. The application seeks to re-zone 25.8 acres from General Business (GB) to a PUD to allow for a 142-lot single-family residential development within the Margaritaville Resort.

The development includes 116 lots on the north parcel (approximately 23.58 acres) and 26 lots on the south parcel. The project is designed as a short-term rental, resort-style community with centralized maintenance under a master HOA. Six housing types are proposed, ranging from two-bedroom units to an eleven-bedroom “lodge,”. The total development will include 470 parking spaces. Approximately 47% of the site will be landscaped open space, and all lots will front on common areas. Access will be controlled primarily through a main guarded entrance, with additional emergency access points. Construction is anticipated to begin within six months of approval, with full buildout projected by late 2028 and resort operations beginning in late 2027 or early 2028.

Bayside Orange Beach Garages Phase II Receives Favorable Recommendation

The Orange Beach Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit for Phase II of the Bayside Orange Beach Garages development located at 24689 Pelican Place on a 2.25-acre parcel within a General Business zoning district. The project will expand an existing storage/garage facility, adding approximately 11,243 square feet across two buildings in the southern portion of the site. The full development, including the previously approved north building (15,360 square feet), will total approximately 26,603 square feet with 21 total units.

Baldwin County Commission Meeting – April 21, 2026

Re-Zoning Approved for Commercial Use in Loxley

The Baldwin County Commission approved a re-zoning request for approximately 1 acre located north of State Highway 59 and south of Railroad Avenue in Loxley. The property, currently vacant and split-zoned B-2 and RA, was reclassified to B-4 to allow for major commercial uses, including potential automotive sales. The site is surrounded by a mix of rural agricultural, commercial, and industrial zoning classifications.

Fairhope City Council Meeting – April 23, 2026

Historic Preservation Ordinance Approved

The Fairhope City Council approved an ordinance related to the Historic Preservation Commission, aimed at securing Certified Local Government (CLG) status and associated federal funding opportunities. The amendment establishes formal procedures for designating historic properties and districts but does not apply any zoning restrictions or regulatory designations at this stage. City officials emphasized that this represents the second step in a multi-phase process, with any actual designation requiring separate public hearings and council approval. Prior attempts to secure CLG status were denied due to insufficient procedural language, prompting the proposed revisions.

Daphne Planning Commission Meeting – April 23, 2026

Italian Village Mixed-Use Development Receives Master Plan Approval

The Daphne Planning Commission approved the master plan for the proposed Italian Village development located at the intersection of County Road 64 and Hwy. 181. The project includes a commercial subdivision with 11 lots, anchored by a planned Walmart Neighborhood Market and fuel center, along with additional outparcels for future commercial uses and a multi-family component. The apartment portion is proposed on approximately 6 acres and includes a stormwater detention area integrated into the site design. The Planning Commission also approved the preliminary and final plat for the commercial subdivision. The applicant requested that the site plan review be tabled to allow additional coordination with Baldwin County regarding a traffic impact study and proposed roadway improvements, including a roundabout and signal timing along County Road 64.

Hope Vineyard Phase II Final Plat Approved

The Daphne Planning Commission approved the final subdivision plat for Phase II of the Hope Vineyard development. The 44-acre property is located east of County Road 13 and will contain 73 lots. The approval includes required wetland mitigation measures.

Gulf Shores City Council Meeting – April 27, 2026

Pre-Zoning and Annexation Approved at Hwy. 59 and County Road 8 West

The Gulf Shores City Council approved a pre-zoning and annexation request for approximately 39.6 acres located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Highway 59 and County Road 8 West. The proposal includes the annexation and pre-zoning of 36 acres to R-1-3 (medium density single-family residential) and 3.6 acres at the intersection to General Business (BG). The property is currently located in unincorporated Baldwin County and is un-zoned. The site consists of partially cleared land near the highway frontage, where wetlands have been permitted for fill, with the remainder of the acreage wooded.

A conceptual subdivision plan indicates the development of 26 single-family residential lots across the 36-acre portion. The commercial tract at the intersection is intended to support future business development, though no specific end user has been identified.

Gulf Shores Planning Commission Meeting – April 28, 2026

Village at Gulf Landing Final Plat Approved

The Gulf Shores Planning Commission approved the final subdivision plat for Village at Gulf Landing, a 116-lot townhouse development located west of State Highway 59 and between West 34th and West 36th Avenues within the Lake PUD. The 16-acre site includes private streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, and a multi-use trail along West 34th Avenue, along with amenities such as a pool and dog park. Public comments centered on the need for privacy fencing and buffering adjacent to neighboring properties, as well as concerns about construction impacts. The Commission added conditions requiring temporary construction screening and phased installation of required buffers prior to certificates of occupancy. The intended use is fee-simple townhome ownership.

Oyster Bay Townhomes Final Plat Approved

The Gulf Shores Planning Commission approval the final plat for Oyster Bay Townhomes, a 40-lot townhouse subdivision on 3.77 acres located along State Highway 180. The site is zoned General Business and was previously approved in 2022, with the current request converting the project to fee-simple lots for individual sale. The development includes rear-access alleyways, 54% open space, stormwater retention systems designed to exceed minimum standards, and preservation of mature live oak trees.

Village at Bright’s Creek Final Plat Approved for 76-Lot Residential Subdivision

The Gulf Shores Planning Commission approved the final subdivision plat for the Village at Bright’s Creek, a 76-lot single-family residential development located on approximately 43.85 acres west of the Gulf Shores Sportsplex along Oak Road East. The development will have frontage and access connections to Oak Road West, Brights Creek Drive, and School Lane. Lot sizes range from 9,000 to 19,000 square feet, with 14% open space. The intended use of the property is a single-family residential subdivision within the growing Oak Road corridor.