Baldwin County Planning Commission Meeting – August 1, 2024
226-Lot Subdivision Approved for Elberta Area
The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved the Planned Residential Development (PRD) request for a 226-lot residential subdivision. The 134-acre property is located south of Hwy. 98 and west of County Road in the Elberta area. Earlier this year the property was re-zoned to RSF-2. There are amenities planned which include a pickleball court, bike trail, playground, gazebo, dog park, and covered school bus stop area. Two vehicular entrances will be located on Hwy. 98. The addition of 50 overflow parking spaces added throughout the development are expected to reduce parking congestion.
Elberta Area Subdivision
Fair Creek Re-Zoning Request Receives Denial Recommendation
The Baldwin County Commission voted to send a denial recommendation to the County Commission for the re-zoning of 59 acres and the companion Planned Residential Development (PRD) request. The property is located on the east side of County Road 83 and north of Kichler Circle, south of Grubber’s Lane, adjacent to the north boundary of Elberta. Developers were seeking a re-zoning from RA to RSF-2 to develop a 132-lot residential subdivision.
Fair Creek Re-Zoning Denial
Tiny Home Development Receives Approval
The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved a 10 site tiny home development. The 5-acre property is located south of County Road 10, east of County 19 and west of the City of Foley. There are currently two sites on the property. The approval will allow for 8 more, bringing the total to ten. The planned tiny homes will be approximately 676 square feet and built with traditional construction. They will be used as rental units.
Saddlebrook Subdivision Approved for 339 Lots
The subdivision of a 167-acre un-zoned parcel was approved by the Baldwin County Planning Commission. The property is located west of Hwy. 98, south of Wagner Rd., north of County Road 24 in the Barnwell area south of Fairhope. A single-family residential subdivision with 339 lots is planned for the site. In 2022 residents of the area rejected a ballot initiative to establish zoning. Two entrances are planned for Hwy. 98.
Saddlebrook
Fairhope Planning Commission Meeting – August 5, 2024
Overland Subdivision Phase II Approved
The Fairhope Planning Commission approved the final plat dividing 12.4 acres located southeast of County Rd. 48 and River Mill Drive. There are 29 lots planned for Phase II of the Overland Subdivision Development, owned by 68V.
Parker Road Re-Zoning Recommended
The Fairhope Planning Commission voted to recommend the re-zoning on .69-acres at 7671 Park Road, across from Publix. The property is currently zoned R-1 and is seeking a new zoning of B-4. The applicant, Leib Engineering, has plans to utilize the property as a professional office.
Downtown Parking Amendment Tabled for Additional Study
The Fairhope Planning Commission debated a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance to address parking in the Central Business District. After discussion they voted to table the proposal for additional study. The proposed amendment seeks to address the problem of access to parking in the Central Business District. The problem of lack of parking has been compounded by what city officials say has been an increase in office and mixed-use developments versus retail and restaurant. The change in development pattern has led to a shift in the average duration of a parked vehicle. With added residential and office use a vehicle stays parked in place longer versus shorter transient use with retail and restaurant. Under consideration are plans to require off-street parking for residential and office use in the Central Business District based on the number of bedrooms or office use square footage.
Orange Beach Town Hall Meeting – August 6, 2024
Plans for Margaritaville Revealed
The residents of Orange Beach heard detailed plans for the former Bama Bayou property at the Town Hall meeting. Developers presented a plan to transform the property into a full service resort destination complex for Margaritaville. The master plan contained three distinct districts: amenities, village, and waterfront. The village district will contain cottages and bungalows clustered around open spaces and shared social spaces. The amenity district contains 6 acres of water fun including a lazy river through nature. The amenities would be available for residents and day passes for guests subject to capacity. The waterfront district would house transient boat docks and an active waterfront. The waterfront will contain a large promenade with active storefronts and outdoor dining areas.
A ferry boat service will connect the Margaritaville property to the existing Wharf property. The project expects to break ground in 2025 with the waterfront and amenity districts completed in 2027, with the residential district next. The residential district would contain homes for sale with rental capabilities. Rentals would be required to go through a rental management program with the Margaritaville group.
Margaritaville Renderings
Spanish Fort Planning Commission Meeting - August 12, 2024
Laundromat Coming to Spanish Fort
The Spanish Fort Planning Commission approved the site plan for a new Laundromat facility. The .63-acre property is located at 6899 Spanish Fort Blvd. in the Blakely Square Shopping Center. The property is zoned B-3
Baldwin County Commission Meeting - August 20, 2024
County Commission Denies Re-Zoning
The Baldwin County Commission voted to deny a re-zoning request to change the zoning from RA to RSF-1. The 78-acre property is located north ow Woerner Rd. and west of County Rd. 95 in the Elberta area. The denial was due to non-compatibility with the development patterns in the surrounding area. Owners sought the zoning change to increase value for a future sale. Had the re-zoning been approved it included the possibility of a 68-lot residential subdivision.
Fairhope City Council Meeting – August 26, 2024
Rockwell Place Re-Zoning Approved
The Fairhope City Council gave final approval for the re-zoning of 15 acres from R-1 to B-2. The property is located east of Hwy. 181, 1/3 of a mile north of the intersection of Hwy. 104 and 181. A future subdivision request is anticipated that will create separate commercial lots. Each future commercial development will have to undergo a separate site plan review.
Gulf Shores City Council Meeting – August 26, 2024
Canal Park Condo Site Plan Approved
The Gulf Shores City Council gave final approval for the site plan of Canal Park Condos, Phase II. The property is located at 411 East Canal Dr. The property is zoned R-4 and within the Waterway Village Overlay Dist. Phase II will contain six new multi-family dwellings that will complement the six-units approved in Phase I of the project. All units are approved for vacation rentals.
Canal Park Condo
Gulf Shores Planning Commission - August 27, 2024
Uptown Plaza East Site Plan Renewed
The Gulf Shores Planning Commission approved the site plan for Uptown Plaza East. The original site plan was approved in February of 2022, but a building permit was not requested which led to an expiration of the site plan. The Planning Commission approved the site plan again at the August meeting. The .98-acre property is located at the southwest corner of East 20th Ave. and East 2nd St. The 5,400 square foot development will comprise three separate units and include a drive through use.
Uptown Plaza East
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