Local Government Update - August 2025

Baldwin REALTORS
Sep 4, 2025
6 min read

Baldwin County Planning Commission Meeting – August 7, 2025

Large-Lot Subdivision Approved

The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for a 15-lot large acre residential subdivision. The un-zoned 316-acre property is located south of Linholm Rd. and west of County Rd. 87. All lots will be a minimum of 20 acres. The private driveways will front along Linholm Rd.

Residential Development Planned North of Orange Beach

The Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to approve the preliminary plat for Long Bayou Preserve. The 48-lot residential subdivision will be located east of the Foley Beach Express east of the Margaritaville development and directly north of the City of Orange Beach. There are 36 waterfront lots planned, with the remaining 12 as interior cottage lots. The single-family homes located within the wetland designated area will be pile-supported. Wetland fill is proposed for the parking and road access. Amenities will include a sports club, boat lift, marina, and piers.

Orange Beach Planning Commission Meeting – August 11, 2025

136-Lot Townhome Subdivision Planned for Orange Beach

The Orange Beach Planning Commission approved the preliminary subdivision of 42 acres located west of the Foley Beach Express, west of Roscoe Rd., and south of Bradford Rd. The subdivision is in accordance with the Coastal Cottages PUD Master Plan which calls for two lots. The southern lot will remain GB (General Business) and is intended for conservation. The remaining lot will house 136 residential townhomes. Construction is expected to begin in November of 2025.

Spanish Fort Planning Commission Meeting – August 11, 2025

Site Plan Approved for AIM Academy

The Spanish Fort Planning Commission approved the site plan for AIM Academy at Rockwell School Dr. A new 10,128 square foot daycare facility is planned. The 5.69-acre site is directly west of Rockwell Elementary school. A playground and parking area will also be included with the main entrance and exit onto Rockwell School Drive.

Spanish Fort Considers New Rules for Digital Signs

The city is weighing an amendment to its sign ordinance that would allow digital and electronic signage in business and industrial districts (B-1 through B-5 and M-1) under strict regulations. The proposed rules would:

· Limit signs to static messages only, with no flashing, video, or movement.

· Restrict brightness to 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light, with sensors to adjust levels automatically.

· Allow only one message change per hour, with transitions under half a second.

· Require malfunction safeguards, such as freezing or going black if the sign fails.

· Cap the digital portion of ground signs at 60 square feet and prohibit placement within 100 feet of residential areas.

· Ban off-premise advertising and continuous video content.

City-owned digital signs would be exempt from the hourly message limit, enabling their use for community updates and emergency alerts, such as road closures, storm warnings, or Amber Alerts. The proposal aims to balance business requests for modern signage with concerns about traffic safety, light pollution, and neighborhood impact.

Baldwin County Commission Meeting – August 19, 2025

Re-Zoning Request Withdrawn for Fairhope Development

The Baldwin County Commission heard a request to re-zone 29 acres located east of Hwy. 181 and south of County Road 32 in the Fairhope area. The property is within a half mile of an activity node at the intersection of Hwy. 181 and County Road 32. The property, currently zoned RSF-1 and vacant, was proposed for rezoning to RSF-3 to allow higher-density residential development. Following the public hearing where neighboring property owners expressed opposition, the applicant, Sweetwater Investments, withdrew their re-zoning application.

Re-Zoning Approved in Belforest Area

The Baldwin County Commission approved the re-zoning application for 1.2-acres located on the north side of County Rd. 64, south of Jackson Circle. The re-zoning will change from B-1 (Professional Business) to LB (Limited Business). Plans for the property include a produce stand and a potential food truck operation.

Foley Planning Commission Meeting – August 20, 2025

Phase I of Cresswind Sandy Creek Approved

The Foley Planning Commission gave preliminary approval for Phase I of Cresswind Sandy Creek. Phase I will consist of 185 lots on 136 acres. This is the first phase of a 55+ residential community planned for over 700 acres located on the east side of the Foley Beach Express and south of Pastoral Lane. When fully built out there are over 1300 lots in the master plan. Amenities for the community include a clubhouse, event lawn, pickle ball courts, bocce ball courts, resort style pool, walking trails and a community garden

Fairhope City Council Meeting – August 25, 2025

Fairhope Debates Review of Historic Building Demolitions

The Fairhope City Council held a discussion during their work session on a proposed ordinance establishing demolition review procedures for historic structures. The ordinance would apply to buildings identified in the 2015 Schneider Report, the Baldwin County “Shields and Banners” program, the Alabama Historical Commission, the National Park Service’s registry, or Fairhope Single Tax records. The process would require property owners seeking demolition to submit an application with photographs, maps, and historical status. If the property qualifies as historic, a review period of up to 60 days would apply, during which the Historic Preservation Commission would meet with the owner to discuss preservation incentives, alternatives, and available grants. A sign would also be posted on the property for at least 10 days notifying the public of the pending demolition. The proposed ordinance would not prohibit demolition, and the ordinance would exempt unsafe or imminently hazardous buildings. City staff will continue to research the topic and bring the issue before the city council at a later date.

Gulf Shores Planning Commission Meeting – August 26, 2025

Bright’s Creek Subdivision Plat Extension Deferred

The Planning Commission heard a lengthy public hearing on a request from 68 Ventures/D.R. Horton for a one-year extension of the preliminary subdivision plat for the Village at Bright’s Creek. The project, located on 43 acres off County Road 6, is approved for a 76-lot single-family subdivision with portions zoned R-1-4 and R-3. The preliminary plat was originally approved in November 2023 with 11 conditions, including drainage agreements, tree protection, and a Baldwin County turnout permit.

Staff reported the project has faced repeated stop-work orders and failed inspections for stormwater management and erosion control. Recent changes to city street standards in July 2025 also rendered the project non-conforming, as the streets were designed under the old specifications. Since construction began, the site has experienced runoff into Bright’s Creek, flooding of adjacent homes on Shoal Lane, and removal of five protected trees. Residents from surrounding neighborhoods spoke against granting the extension, citing flooding, erosion, tortoise habitat destruction, tree removal, poor workmanship, and declining property values.

After extensive debate, the Commission voted to table the request until the September 23, 2025, meeting, allowing time for engineering test results and additional review. Stop-work orders on the site remain in effect pending compliance.

Goodwin Subdivision Preliminary Plat Approved

The Gulf Shores Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for the Goodwin Subdivision on Miller Memorial Road, located between the Peninsula Golf Course and Laurelwood Subdivision. The applicant proposed dividing 1.6 acres zoned R-1-5 into five single-family lots. The property is adjacent to Miller Memorial Cemetery, with access from Miller Memorial Road.

The design dedicates an additional five feet of right-of-way to bring the roadway closer to the 50-foot city standard, and a fire access turnaround has been incorporated. Drainage will be directed into bioswales along the fronts and rears of the lots. A sidewalk waiver was requested to reduce the required width from six feet to five feet, and a waiver was granted to allow street trees within the public right-of-way.

The Commission granted approval with conditions including sidewalk redesign around utility poles, installation of tree protection fencing prior to land disturbance, state permitting for work along Highway 180, and continued preservation of existing trees until building permits are issued.

Daphne Planning Commission Meeting – August 28, 2025

Restaurant Use approved for Downtown Daphne

The Daphne Planning Commission approved the use of a restaurant for a three-story building located on the southeast corner of Main Street and Van Ave., in Olde Towne Daphne. The 1.2-acre property is zoned B-1-A and required planning commission approved for use as a restaurant. The upper floors are expected to be office space. The site plan for the property was tabled and will come back for approval at the September 25^th meeting.