Local Government Update - March 2026

Baldwin REALTORS
Apr 2
8 min read

Fairhope Planning Commission Meeting – March 2, 2026

Downtown Fairhope Development Receives Approvals

The Fairhope Planning Commission approved two related applications for the De La Mare development project in downtown Fairhope, located west of Panini Pete’s and near Fairhopers Park along Bernhardt Lane. The project involves redevelopment of the downtown property with a new mixed-use building and associated site improvements. The 3,867 square foot building will contain first floor office space with two residential units on the upper floors. Commissioners discussed landscaping and tree preservation near the proposed building foundation and asked that the design be reviewed carefully to ensure that construction methods do not damage existing tree root systems.

Dresden Woods Preliminary Plat Approved with Conditions

The Fairhope Planning Commission approved the preliminary subdivision plat for Dresden Woods. The 4.66-acre property is located at the northeast corner of Gayfer Road Extension and Bishop Road in Fairhope. The development includes the creation of 15 residential lots.

Large Fairhope Residential Development Proposal Held Over

The Fairhope Planning Commission held extensive discussion on a proposed conditional annexation and zoning request for a 148-acre residential development on property near the north side of Highway 104 and St. Michael Way, adjacent to St. Michael Catholic High School. The proposal outlines a master-planned community with approximately 413 residential units consisting of a mix of single-family homes, cottage lots, and townhomes, with projected home prices ranging from roughly $400,000 to $900,000. Developers indicated the project would be constructed over an eight-year buildout, with permits limited to about 70 homes per year. Planned improvements include internal streets, open space areas, pedestrian features, and neighborhood amenities.

A lengthy public hearing included numerous residents speaking in opposition to the proposal, citing concerns about stormwater drainage, flooding, traffic congestion along Highway 104, environmental impacts, and overall project density. The Planning Commission agreed with staff’s recommendation to hold the application for further study and revisions, allowing the applicant time to address the concerns raised before returning with a revised proposal.

Baldwin County Commission Meeting – March 3, 2026

Stockton Area Initiates Planning District Referendum

The Baldwin County Commission accepted a Notice of Intent to Request a Planning and Zoning Referendum for the Stockton area for lands north of Interstate 65 within the Stockton community. The action begins the formal process to allow residents to vote on establishing planning and zoning regulations in the area. The proposal was tied to growing community concern about a large-scale utility solar development estimated to cover approximately 4,600 acres, with as much as 2,400 acres of existing woodland potentially cleared to accommodate 700,000–900,000 solar panels. Citizens noted the project area includes environmentally sensitive lands which flow through the Stockton Landmark District toward the Tensaw River Delta. Residents are seeking local land-use controls to preserve the community’s rural character, wetlands, and historic resources in an area with roughly 400–500 residents.

Baldwin County Planning Commission Meeting – March 5, 2026

Highway 90 Baldwin County Sewer Service Property Division Approved

The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved a two-lot non-residential subdivision of 115 acres along U.S. Highway 90. The smallest proposed lot is approximately 3 acres, with the remaining acreage forming a larger tract. The property is unzoned, and any future development will require approval from the Alabama Department of Transportation before driveway construction. The larger parcel is owned by the Baldwin County Sewer Service and could be used for possible future expansion of its plant.

27-Lot Seaglade at St. Andrews Bay Approved

The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved Seaglade at St. Andrews Bay, a 27-lot residential subdivision. The 10-acre property is located near State Highway 180 and Pontoon Lane in the Gulf Shores area. The property contains split zoning between RSF-1 and RSF-4 and was previously approved as part of a Planned Residential Development (PRD) by the Baldwin County Commission. Commissioners also approved a subdivision variance allowing the internal road to be constructed below the base flood elevation due to site topography and connections to existing roads

Buffalo Rock Warehouse and Office Building Approved in Loxley Area

The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved Buffalo Rock Warehouse and Office Building, a new industrial facility on 9.89 acres located south of County Road 64 and east of Railroad Avenue near Loxley. The property is zoned M-1 Light Industrial and currently vacant. Plans call for construction of a warehouse and office building along with parking and landscaping improvements.

Fairhope City Council Meeting – March 9, 2026

Controversial Zoning Amendments Tabled

The Fairhope City Council voted to table the proposed zoning ordinance amendments that were aimed at addressing growth, density, stormwater management, and preservation of the Central Business District. After substantial public comments, concerns were raised with several provisions. The primary issues included a requirement for Planned Unit Developments to incorporate approximately 33% commercial use, which stakeholders indicated may be economically impractical, as well as zoning changes that unintentionally affected a number of existing residential properties. Additional concerns centered on the creation of nonconforming properties and limitations on impervious surface. While the Council reiterated the intent of the amendment, they acknowledged that the draft ordinance resulted in unintended consequences and lacked sufficient clarity. Further review and revision will be undertaken prior to reconsideration of the ordinance again.

Gulf Shores City Council Meeting – March 9, 2026

Crystal Village Beach Access Approved

The Gulf Shores City Council approved private beach access serving the proposed Crystal Village Cottage Subdivision. The beach access will be located at 957 West Beach Boulevard and will serve a 17-unit cottage subdivision located across the street at 975 West Lagoon Avenue. The access point will run along the west property line of the Ocean House I condominium property within an existing parking lot. The beach access will be five feet wide with four-foot metal fencing and locking gates on both ends, with trash receptacles, outdoor showers, turtle-friendly lighting, and landscaping along the property boundary. A sidewalk and crosswalk across West Beach Boulevard will connect the subdivision to the beach access.

Spanish Fort Planning Commission Meeting – March 9, 2026

Golf Cart Sales Approved at Eastern Shore Centre

The Spanish Fort Planning Commission approved a land use application for golf cart sales at 30500 State Highway 181, Suite 228, within the Eastern Shore Centre shopping center. The property is zoned B-3, and because “golf cart sales” is not explicitly listed in the city’s table of permitted uses, the Commission determined the use to be most analogous to retail sales categories such as bicycle or farm equipment sales, which are permitted in B-3 and B-4 districts. The approval establishes golf cart sales as an allowed use by right in both B-3 and B-4 zoning classifications moving forward.

Daphne City Council Meeting – March 16, 2026

“Italian Village at Daphne” Set For Vote April 6th

The Daphne City Council considered the pre-zoning and annexation for approximately 32 acres located at the northwest corner of Highway 181 and County Road 64. The proposal includes a Planned Unit Development (PUD) known as the “Italian Village at Daphne,” featuring a mixed-use development anchored by a Walmart Neighborhood Market. The project includes eight Italian-themed commercial outparcels, a luxury multi-family residential component, and a five-acre amenity pond with walking paths, lighting, and public access. The development is designed with a unified architectural theme enforced through an architectural review board and prohibits traditional large pylon signage in favor of monument-style signage.

Infrastructure improvements associated with the project include a new traffic signal at County Road 64 and Overton Road, construction of a dedicated right-turn lane to improve traffic flow, limited access points along Highway 181, internal connectivity to future adjacent developments, and sidewalk enhancements to improve walkability. The Daphne City Council is expected to vote on the applications at their Aril 6^th meeting.

Baldwin County Commission Meeting – March 17, 2026

156-Acre Rezoning Request Denied Amid Density and Infrastructure Concerns

The Baldwin County Commission denied a rezoning request for approximately156 acres located north of County Road 12 South and east of Magnolia Springs Highway. The applicant requested to rezone the agricultural property from RA to RSF-3 (Single Family Residential) to allow for a residential subdivision. The proposed zoning would permit smaller lot sizes, potentially resulting in hundreds of homes. Although the applicant indicated a concept plan of approximately 296 lots and proposed a 30-acre regional stormwater pond to address drainage issues, staff found the request inconsistent with the Future Land Use Map. There was substantial public opposition, with residents citing concerns over traffic congestion, school capacity, sewer infrastructure, and the broader impact of sprawl on rural areas.

Industrial Rezoning Approved in Elberta Area

The Baldwin County Commission approved a rezoning request for approximately 20 acres located north of U.S. Highway 98 and east of County Road 95 in the Elberta area. The applicant requested to rezone the property from M-1 (Light Industrial) to M-2 (Heavy Industrial) to allow outdoor storage and expansion of an existing aviation parts storage and salvage operation. The site currently includes 13 warehouse buildings and has been in operation since 2014. The rezoning will allow construction of an additional 50,000 square foot warehouse and bring the site into compliance with zoning regulations.

Fairhope City Council Meeting – March 23, 2026

Seven Brew Coffee Site Plan Approved

The Fairhope City Council approved the site plan for the “Seven Brew” coffee drive-through development. The 1.01-acre property is located on Lot 5 of Planter’s Pointe at the northwest corner of the intersection of State Highway 181 and State Highway 104 and is zoned B-2 General Business District. The project consists of a small-footprint, vehicle-oriented coffee facility.

Jiffy Lube Site Plan Approved at Rockwell Place

The Fairhope Planning Commission approved the site plan for Jiffy Lube to be constructed at the Rockwell Place commercial development located on Lot 2 of Rockwell Place at the northeast corner of Highway 181 and Highway 104. The proposed development will occupy approximately 0.99 acres within a B-2 General Business zoning district. The auto service facility will include four service bays, which resulted in a revised parking calculation during the meeting to confirm compliance with city requirements.

Fairhope Adopts Consumable Hemp Ordinance

The Fairhope City Council approved an ordinance to allow licensing of consumable hemp products within the city limits and police jurisdiction. The ordinance establishes a regulatory framework for the sale of hemp-derived products, including those containing up to 0.3% THC as permitted under state guidelines.

Gulf Shores City Council Meeting – March 23, 2026

Gulf Shores Adopts 12-Month Development Moratorium

The Gulf Shores City Council adopted a 12-month moratorium on certain development applications while the city undertakes a comprehensive plan update. The moratorium applies to rezonings, conditional use permits for uses not permitted by right, and major subdivisions that require new infrastructure or street extensions. Existing entitlements, site plans, and building permits will not be affected. The comprehensive plan will include elements such as land use, housing, mobility, environmental resilience, and economic development, with an emphasis on detailed transportation planning down to the neighborhood level. City officials cited the need to evaluate infrastructure capacity, environmental impacts, and long-term growth alignment with community vision. The moratorium may be extended in increments up to six months, with a maximum duration of 18 months. Public engagement will be a central component, with outreach planned across neighborhoods, businesses, and community groups.

Gulf Shores Planning Commission Meeting – March 24, 2026

Gulf Shores Golf Club PUD Amendment Denied

The Gulf Shores Planning Commission voted to deny a proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment for the Gulf Shores Golf Club property located at 520 Clubhouse Drive. The 175-acre site is currently zoned R-1-4 with a PUD overlay, with approximately 166 acres designated as golf course/open space and 8.7 acres approved for a 36-lot single-family subdivision. The applicant requested to amend the PUD to allow a 72-lot single-family cottage subdivision on approximately 8.64 acres, effectively doubling the previously approved density. Proposed lots would be reduced to approximately 1,925 square feet with a minimum width of 35 feet, and homes would be two-story structures on pilings ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. The proposal also included a request to allow short-term rentals, which are not permitted in the underlying R-1-4 zoning district, along with multiple deviations from subdivision and PUD standards.

Staff recommended denial, citing several conflicts with city regulations and planning documents. Additional concerns included lack of pedestrian infrastructure, increased traffic impacts not fully accounting for short-term rentals, and the potential negative effect on neighborhood stability. The proposal also required numerous waivers from standard development regulations and did not provide sufficient public benefit to justify those deviations.