Fairhope Planning Commission Meeting – March 4, 2024
Subdividing Corner Lot Approved
The Fairhope Planning Commission approved the preliminary and final plat of a 2-lot minor subdivision. The .6-acre parcel is located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Morphy Ave. and County Road 13. A residence currently sits on the parcel. After the division the westernmost piece on the corner will be a vacant lot. No plans were disclosed for the property.
Fairhope City Council Meeting – March 6, 2024
Annexation Approved for Greeno Rd. Property
The Fairhope City Council gave final approval for an annexation request. The 2.2-acre property is located on the east side of Greeno Rd. across from the Publix Shopping Center at 18060 Greeno Rd. The property will automatically be zoned R-1 upon annexation. Any future change in zoning will require a separate re-zoning request and approval by the city council.
Baldwin County Planning Commission Meeting – March 7, 2024
Site Plan for Storage Facility Approved
The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved the site plan for Cornerstone Storage. The 40-acre property is located on the south side of County Road 64, west of County Road 54, east and north of Sirmon Rd. in the Belforest area. Boat and RV storage are planned for the location.
Elberta Re-Zoning Receives Denial Recommendation
The Baldwin County Planning Commission sent a denial recommendation to the County Commission for the re-zoning of 41 acres from RA to RSF-1. The property is located on the southeast corner of County Road 95 and County Road 26. The re-zoning was sought for a future residential subdivision development.
Commercial Re-Zoning Along Hwy. 181 Receives Denial
The Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to send a denial recommendation to the County Commission for a re-zoning request for 2.9 acres. The property is located at 27645 Hwy. 181 near Daphne on the west side of Hwy. 181 south of Sommerset Dr. The property is currently zoned CR (Conservation Resource). The requested zoning was B-1 to allow for the development of a childcare facility and professional office space.
Dollar General Group Seeks Re-Zoning
The Broadway Group (Dollar General) is seeking to re-zone part of a 5-acre parcel located at the southeast corner of County Road 87 and County Road 32. The request seeks to change the zoning from RA to B-2. The request is believed to be for a Dollar General store. The Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation for the re-zoning to the County Commission who has the final vote on all re-zoning requests.
Re-Zoning Approved for Golf Driving Range
The Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the County Commission for the re-zoning of 5 acres from RA to B-3. The property is located on the south side of U.S. Hwy. 98 and west of County Road 97 in the Elberta area. The request is for the development of a golf driving range.
Manufactured Home Park Planned for Summerdale
The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved the site plan for a 7-site manufactured home park. The 2.7-acre property is located on the east side of County Road 38, east of the Baldwin Beach Express, northeast of Summerdale.
Phase 2 of Savannah Estates Approved with Conditions
The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved Phase 2 of Savannah Estates. The 37-acre property is located on the east side of County Road 54W, just north of County Road 64 near Daphne. There are 121 single family homes planned for this phase of construction. Conditions of approval require review of the geotechnical report for the stabilization plan prior to any building permit being issued. The area in question was a former dirt pit and will require a large amount of fill material and grading.
Savannah Estates
Baldwin Beach Express Property Receives Approval
The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved the Highway Setback Appeal and Site Plan for a proposed Billy’s Gourmet Hot Dog Restaurant. The appeal request was seeking to allow parking spaces to be constructed within the highway setback. The 1-acre property is uniquely situated in the median of the Foley Beach Express just south of Coastal Gateway Blvd. near Orange Beach. The B-4 zoned property is near the Shell gas station which also sits within the median. The site plan and the request to place parking within the 100’ highway setback was approved. Billy’s Gourmet Hot Dog is planning a 2,500 square foot fast food restaurant for the location.
Spanish Fort Planning Commission Meeting – March 11, 2024
Re-Zoning Sought for Causeway Property
The Spanish Fort Planning Commission voted to recommend approval for the re-zoning of .5 acres. The property is located along Battleship Parkway (commonly known as the Causeway) across from Traders. If approved by the City Council the zoning of the property will change from R-1 to B-2. No specific plans for the site were disclosed.
Foley Planning Commission Meeting – March 20, 2024
Hidden Meadows Receives Re-Zoning Recommendation
The Foley Planning Commission voted to recommend the re-zoning of 10 acres from R-4 to R-2. The property is located east of James Rd. and north of County Road 12S. An adjacent parcel consisting of 30 acres also received preliminary approval for 58 lots. The two parcels will be developed into a duplex subdivision.
Gulf Shores City Council Meeting – March 25, 2024
Site Plan Denied for Baldwin County Sewer
The Gulf Shores City Council voted to deny the Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan that would have allowed an expansion of the Baldwin County Sewer Service treatment pond within the R-1-4 Zoning Dist. in the Ft. Morgan. Area residents and environmental groups opposed the expansion of the plant and complained about odors and gases coming from the area.
In 2021 Baldwin County Sewer System illegally added a sewage pond to their property. In May of 2022 a “cease and desist” notice was sent to the BCSS for the construction of the sludge pond. Construction of the sludge pond constituted an “expansion of the nonconforming use”, which is a zoning ordinance violation. The city requested that BCSS submit a Land disturbance Permit application with construction plans to fill the un-permitted pond. The Land disturbance permit was never submitted, however, BCSS discontinued use of the sludge pond. In June of 2023 the Gulf Shores Planning Commission recommended denial of the CUP/Site Plan application with the condition that the unpermitted sludge pond be filled, the disturbed area be sodded, and the trees that were removed for pond construction be replanted.
The current application by BCSS sought to convert the 650,000 gallon sludge digester to an aeration basin and clarifier and reactivate the recently constructed sludge pond. The Gulf Shores City Council voted to deny the application with the conditions that the unpermitted sludge pond be back filled, the disturbed area be sodded, and trees replanted. The sewage plant will remain in operation at its current capacity without the expansion.
BCCS Sludge Pond
Gulf Shores Planning Commission Meeting – March 26, 2024
Osprey Landing Phase 4 Approved
The Gulf Shores Planning Commission approved the Phase 4 Preliminary Plat for Osprey Landing Subdivision. The approval will allow the division of 14.6 acres into 42 residential single family lots. The property is located on the south side of Coastal Gateway Blvd., directly west of Osprey Landing. The property is zoned R-1-5 with a 60’ minimum lot width.
Osprey Landing
Zoning Amendment Recommended for Screen Enclosures
The City of Gulf Shores is proposing an amendment to the zoning ordinance which would add regulations for screened enclosures that do not cover a pool. The city has been receiving multiple requests for building permits for enclosures where no pool exists, which prompted the amendment. Currently the ordinance only allows for the construction of a screened enclosure if it covers a swimming pool. The amendment would define the enclosure as a “structure” rather than a building or dwelling. It would also allow the screen enclosure even if no swimming pool was present. The enclosure would have to be screened on all sides and roof, except for where it was attached to a house. There would also be a requirement that the screened enclosure be in the rear yard and not closer than 10 ft. to a side or rear property line, and not exceed the height of the principal structure. In recommending the change the city recognized the benefits a screen enclosure can provide. The Planning Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council to adopt the ordinance amendment.
Screened Enclosure
Site Plan Approved for East Twelve Cottages
The Gulf Shores Planning Commission approved the site plan for a 12-lot cottage subdivision. The 1.56-acre property is located within the 400 block of E. Beach Blvd. along the south side of East 1st. Ave. The 2-story cottages will have 6 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. The cottages will range in size from 4,368 SF – 5,400 SF. Each lot will also have its own small swimming pool. Two drives will be located on East 1st Ave. The property is zoned BT-3.
East Twelve Cottages
Daphne Planning Commission Meeting – March 28, 2024
Design and Architectural Standards Recommended for Daphne
The Daphne Planning Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the city council for an ordinance which would impose design and architectural standards on new construction. If approved the new standards would apply to lots under 20,000 square feet. There would be an appeal process for denials based on failing to meet the design are architectural standards.
64-Lot Garden Patio Home Subdivision Approved
The Daphne Planning Commission approved the preliminary subdivision plat for Sirmon Addition. The 20-acre property is located northeast of the intersection of Parker Lane and County Road 13. There are 64 garden patio homes planned for the development.
Church of the Highlands Planned for Daphne
The Daphne Planning Commission voted to recommend approval for the re-zoning and annexation of 28 acres from B-4 to B-2(a). The property is located due west of the intersection of Plantation Dr. and Hwy. 181. The Church of the Highlands is planning to build a new church on the site. The property is just south of the DISC development and the church would like to eventually connect with the DISC infrastructure to move traffic.
Two Large Developments Tabled for Further Information
Two large developments were on the agenda for the Daphne Planning Commission. Both raised questions about the details of the plans and the Commissioners requested more time to review and more detailed information be submitted.
The first development presented was a request from Malbis Plantation, Inc. for a PUD on 164 acres. The property is southeast of the intersection of Hwy. 90 and County Road 13. A mixture of single family residential, multi-family residential, and commercial are being proposed. It was unclear the exact number of each. Single family residential could encompass 73 acres of the site, with as many as 240 apartments in the multi-family portion.
The second development presented was a request from Bertolla Properties, LLC, YOTA Properties, LLC, and Boni families for a PUD on 175 acres. The property is located southeast of the intersection of Milton Jones Road and Hwy. 181. This project was presented as a mixture of residential and commercial. Projected lots could exceed 320. The breakdown of single family residential, townhomes and commercial was not clearly defined.
Both developments are expected to come back before the Planning Commission for further consideration.