Local Government Update - December 2025
- Baldwin REALTORS
- Dec 30, 2025
- 6 min read
Fairhope Planning Commission Meeting – December 1, 2025
Site Plan Approved for Culver’s
The Fairhope Planning Commission approved the site plan for Culver’s Restaurant. The business is planned for a 1-acre site zoned B-2 located within the Planters Pointe development at the northwest corner of Hwy. 181 and 104. Another site plan application within the Planters Pointe development for Seven Brew Coffee was tabled due to non-compliant items. The Seven Brew Coffee site plan will be re-designed and be presented at a future meeting.
Fairhope Boarding House Proposal Tabled
The Fairhope Planning Commission heard a proposal for a three-story Boarding House to be constructed on the northwest corner of Fairhope Ave. and Church St. in downtown Fairhope on the vacant site of a recently demolished 1922 People’s Cooperative Store building. Plans include 26 guest rooms, a first-floor restaurant, med-spa, and a fourth-level rooftop terrace. After extensive discussion—primarily regarding rooftop safety, operational logistics, pedestrian loading/unloading, and downtown traffic, the applicant agreed to look at further revisions. The Commission tabled the site plan to January 2026 for continued work with the developer and staff.
Baldwin County Planning Commission Meeting – December 4, 2025
Cottages on the Cove Condominiums Approved
The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved a site plan for the Cottages on the Cove Condominiums, a seven-unit single-family condominium development. The 3.98-acre site is north of State Highway 180 in the Ft. Morgan area. The property is zoned RMF-6 (Multi-Family Residential), which allows up to six units per acre; the proposed density is well below the maximum permitted. Wetlands are present on the site but will not be impacted, with protective buffers shown on the approved plans. Utilities will be provided by Gulf Shores Utilities (water and sewer), Baldwin EMC (electric), and Baldwin County Solid Waste Authority.
HL Storage Facility Approved
Site plan approval was granted for the HL Storage Facility, an open RV and boat storage operation on approximately 3.3 acres along County Road 12 in Planning District 30. The property is zoned RMF-6 and is adjacent to residential uses in the City of Foley. The project includes a small office near the roadway and open-air storage to the rear, surrounded by a 30-foot landscaped buffer.
Cell Tower Replacement Approved
The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved a site plan for Black & Veatch to replace an existing 240-foot telecommunications tower with a new 300-foot self-supporting tower on a 9.2-acre property north of County Road 64 and east of Oak Leaf Lane in the Loxley area. The leased tower compound encompasses approximately 4,512 square feet. The tower is a permitted use within the Light Industrial zoning district.
Spanish Fort Planning Commission Meeting – December 8, 2025
Site Plan Approved for State Farm Office
The Spanish Fort Planning Commission approved the site plan for the Spanish Fort State Farm office to be located on Lot 13 of the Woodside Business Park, on Broken Branch Circle. There are plans for a 3,120 square foot office building to be constructed on the 0.72-acre site zoned B-2. The plan also includes 12 parking spaces and landscaping improvements.
Spanish Fort City Council Meeting – December 15, 2025
Longleaf Development Receives Approval
The Spanish Fort City Council approved the Longleaf development as a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The project encompasses a 1,600-acre tract located off Hwy. 225 in the Whitehouse Fork community. The property is proposed for annexation into the city limits and includes a mix of residential, recreational, and conservation uses. The first phase of residential development has already been constructed, and a major amenity golf course—is currently under construction and expected to open as early as March 2026. Additional planned improvements include a clubhouse with a potential restaurant, pro shop, and other associated amenities, as well as future residential components. The residential component is expected to include 246 single-family homes and 125 townhomes on the western side, 393 single-family lots and 251 townhomes on the eastern side, totaling 1,015 units across 1,600 acres. A significant feature of the development is an approximately 400-acre wildlife refuge intended for habitat preservation, educational programming, and agricultural or animal-care training opportunities. City officials noted the developer’s commitment to constructing major amenities early in the project as a positive aspect. The PUD narrative and master plan were formally added as exhibits to the ordinance to provide additional clarity following a prior public hearing.
Baldwin County Commission Meeting – December 16, 2025
Jack’s Restaurant Planned Near Lillian
The Baldwin County Commission gave final approval for the rezoning of a 2.1-acre vacant parcel located on U.S. Highway 98, south of Powell Lane in the Lillian community. The zoning will change from B-2 to B-3 (General Business District). The re-zoning was requested to allow construction of a drive-through restaurant, with representatives confirming the site would be developed by Jack’s Restaurants. The Commission found the request consistent with both the zoning ordinance and the Future Land Use Map, noting the site lies within a designated Neighborhood Center Node surrounded by existing commercial uses, including a gas station and retail.
SeaGlade at St. Andrews Bay Approved
The County Commission unanimously approved the SeaGlade at St. Andrews Bay Planned Residential Development, a 27-unit PRD on approximately 10.53 acres located south of State Highway 180 and east of Pontoon Lane in the Gulf Shores/Ft. Morgan area. The property consists of multiple parcels previously platted for up to 98 residential units, making the PRD a significant reduction in density. Existing zoning includes RSF-1 and RSF-4, with the PRD overlay allowing clustering of homes. The plan includes 4.43 acres (42.1%) of protected open space, preservation of 0.44 acres of wetlands, and construction of elevated single-family homes on pilings to address flood concerns.
Orange Beach City Council Meeting – December 16, 2025
AC Hotel Orange Beach PUD Amendment Approved
The Orange Beach City Council approved redevelopment of the former Romar Beach Baptist Church site into an AC Hotel through the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process. The 1.8-acre property, located adjacent to Phoenix West II/Oasis along Perdido Beach Boulevard, was rezoned from RM-2 (High Density Multifamily Residential) to PUD to permit conversion of the existing church structure into a six-story, 100-room hotel. All lodging rooms will be less than 600 square feet, resulting in a calculated density of 27.3 units per acre (with two rooms equating to one residential unit), significantly less than the by-right RM-2 zoning which could allow a 17-story structure with up to 776 units.
The project includes demolition and reconstruction of the existing parking deck, expansion of the east-side driveway for emergency access, and construction of a rooftop bar on the sixth level, restricted to hotel guests only. A total of 129 parking spaces are proposed, with 112 spaces on-site and 17 off-site spaces located near Adventure Island approximately 1.1–1.5 miles away, supported by shuttle service for employees and overflow guest parking. The off-site parking arrangement required a deviation from city code, which generally limits off-site parking to within 200 feet unless approved by City Council.
Daphne Planning Commission Meeting – December 18, 2025
Eastern Shore Toyota Off-Road Test Track Coming in Daphne
The Daphne Planning Commission approved the site plan for an Eastern Shore Toyota off-road test track. The 9.2-acre site is located southeast of the intersection of Renaissance Blvd. and Frederick Blvd., behind the Sam’s Club store property. The track will only be accessible to Eastern Shore Toyota personnel and customers for the purpose of test driving off-road style vehicles. The track will be kept in a natural condition with mud, sand, natural vegetation and sod. The property, zoned B-2, will have restricted access via Frederick Ave. and through the exotic car and reconditioning lot.
Annexation and Zoning Sought for Hwy.181/CR 64 Area Development
The Planning Commission reviewed a request involving land located northwest of the intersection of County Road 64 and Highway 181 that is currently located outside the Daphne city limits. The applicant is seeking an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, annexation of the property into the City of Daphne, and zoning as a mixed-use Planned Unit Development (PUD). The proposed development is described as a village-style, walkable project featuring uniform signage, all-brick buildings, and a design that places buildings along the roadway with parking areas located to the rear. Commercial outparcels are planned along the exterior of the site, with a multi-family residential component situated on the interior of the development. A Walmart Neighborhood Market is proposed as the anchor tenant. As part of the request, the developer committed to making several off-site traffic improvements, including the addition of a southbound right-turn lane on Highway 181, installation of a traffic signal at Overton Road, and an evaluation of potential improvements to the roundabout at the County Road 13 and County Road 64 intersection. After a lengthy discussion and presentation, the Planning Commission voted to Table the request with the consent of the developer. It is expected the request will come back before the Planning Commission at a later date.
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