Local Government Update - February 2026

Baldwin REALTORS
Feb 27
4 min read

Fairhope Planning Commission Meeting – February 2, 2026

13-Lot Preserve at Point Clear Approved

The Fairhope Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for the Preserve at Point Clear. The 11.4-acre site is located on the south side of Twin Beech Road, west of Section St. and north of Calyx Circle. Plans include a 13-lot single-family residential subdivision. A new interior public street, Emory Lane, will connect Twin Beach Road to Calyx Circle, providing internal circulation. Sidewalks are proposed along most of Emory Lane, although approximately 400 feet along Twin Beach Road will not include sidewalks due to topographical constraints and tree preservation efforts.

Baldwin County Planning Commission Meeting – February 5, 2026

Fairhope Reserve 40-Lot Subdivision Approved

The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat application for Fairhope Reserve, a 40-lot residential subdivision. The 31.89-acre property is located north of State Highway 104 and east of St. Michael’s Way. The property is zoned RSF-2, with a minimum lot size of approximately 20,000 square feet. Residents expressed concerns regarding existing congestion at the Highway 104 and St. Michael’s Way intersection and pedestrian safety. Staff noted that signalization of the intersection is currently under review by ALDOT. The Commission approved the subdivision with conditions requiring sewer plant expansion completion, broadband commitment confirmation, and installation of amenities and landscaping prior to final plat approval.

Belmont Estates 46-Lot Subdivision Approved

The preliminary plat application for Belmont Estates was approved by the Baldwin County Planning Commission. A 46-lot residential subdivision is planned on approximately 40 acres located south of Lowry Street and west of County Road 54. Utilities include wells for water, Baldwin County sewer, Riviera Utilities electric service, and AT&T broadband. The approval includes conditions requiring completion of sewer plant expansion and coordination with the Highway Department regarding transportation improvements.

Point Clear Golf Club Phases 1A, 1B, and 1C Approved

The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved preliminary plat applications for Phase 1A – 16 lots, Phase 1B – 50 lots, and Phase 1C – 57 lots for the Point Clear Golf Club development. The property is located west of County Road 3 and north of County Road 24, in the Point Clear area. The mixed RA and RSF-1 zoned property encompass more than 300 acres of developable land within a larger 500-acre tract. Utilities will be provided by the City of Fairhope for water and sewer, Riviera Utilities for electric, and AT&T for broadband.

The PRD (Planned Residential Development) final site plan was approved by the County Commission in January. A traffic study is under review by ALDOT, the County Highway Department, and a third-party consultant. Residents expressed concerns about pedestrian safety along County Roads 3 and 24 and increased traffic in the rural area. The applicant noted that approximately 123 total lots are planned, significantly below the potential 900 lots allowed under existing zoning. The Commission approved all three phases subject to conditions including traffic coordination, stormwater plan revisions, landscape updates, and recording of boundary adjustments.

Dollar General Site Plan Approved in Elberta

The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved the site plan application for a 10,640-square-foot Dollar General retail store. The 3.9-acre site is located south of Freshwater Lane and east of County Road 95 in Elberta. The property is zoned M-1 (Light Industrial).

Jack’s Restaurant Site Plan Approved in Lillian

The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved the site plan for a 3,055-square-foot Jack’s drive-through restaurant. The two-acre property is located along U.S. Highway 98 south of Powell Lane in the Lillian community. The property is zoned B-3 (General Business) and lies within a designated neighborhood activity node.

Spanish Fort Planning Commission Meeting – February 9, 2026

Site Plan Approved for Pelt Tire Automotive Service Center

The Spanish Fort Planning Commission approved the site plan application for Pelt Tire Spanish Fort, an 8,520-square-foot automotive tire and service center. The 9.5-acre undeveloped tract is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 31 and Eastern Shore Boulevard, directly east of the MAPCO convenience store. The development plan includes 35 parking spaces, two of which will be ADA accessible.

Baldwin County Commission Meeting – February 19, 2026

Rezoning Approved for 4.9 Acres Near Foley Beach Express

The Baldwin County Commission voted to approve the rezoning of approximately 4.9 acres from RA (Rural Agricultural) to B-1 (Professional Business District). The vacant parcel is located on the east side of the Foley Beach Express, south of Russian Road and east of Roscoe Road, near the municipal boundaries of Foley and Orange Beach. Roscoe Road is currently an unpaved, county-maintained road that is in the process of being improved under the county’s dirt road paving program.

While no formal site plan was submitted, the property owner indicated an intent to construct an office building and potentially pursue a mixed-use development through a Planned Unit Development (PUD) process if multiple structures are proposed.

Rezoning Denied for Half-Acre Lot in Gulf Shores Area

The Baldwin County Commission voted to deny a request to rezone approximately 0.5 acres from RSF-2 (Single Family Residential) to RSF-3, east of Veterans Road and north of Dacus Lane in the Gulf Shores area. The property is currently developed with a single-family residence constructed in 1959, and the applicants sought the rezoning to subdivide the lot for continued residential use by family members. RSF-2 zoning requires a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet. The proposed subdivision would have reduced the lot sizes to meet RSF-3 standards, thereby increasing density within an area primarily zoned RSF-2. Staff noted that the property includes areas of potential wetlands and lies within designated habitat for the Alabama beach mouse, which would require federal permitting and mitigation if development proceeds.

Commissioners expressed concern that approving the request could establish a precedent for similar lot-splitting requests within the RSF-2 district, thereby undermining the purpose of the original zoning designation.

Gulf Shores Planning Commission Meeting – February 24, 2026

Royal Standard Site Plan Approved

The Gulf Shores Planning Commission approved the site plan for Royal Standard. The property is located at 3769 Gulf Shores Parkway and zoned for Arterial Business Dist. Plans call for the construction of three, 6,000 square feet commercial buildings and one warehouse. Older storage buildings that were originally on the property have been removed.