Fairhope Planning Commission Meeting – November 1, 2021
Hilltop Development Seeking Changes
The Hilltop Residential Subdivision Development is currently under construction on Phase one. The un-zoned 25-acre property was approved for 37 residential lots. Developers are now seeking to annex the development into the city limits, establish zoning as a PUD (Planned Unit Development), and change the use of lot 29. Lot 29 is located at the southeast corner of the development and is depicted in the image below in the lower right corner. Lot 29 would have its own access to S. Section St. Proposals for Lot 29 include a mixed-use which may involve a café, bed & breakfast suites, fitness, yoga, arts studio, professional office space, etc. The annexation and zoning were given a favorable recommendation by the Planning Commission. Final approvals will go before the City Council.
Hilltop Subdivision
Daphne City Council Meeting – November 1, 2021
Pre-Zoning and Annexation Approved for Hwy. 181 Development Outside Daphne
The Daphne City Council gave final approval for a request from Joe Manci for the pre-zoning and annexation of 53 acres located northeast of Hwy. 181 and Saint Michael Way. The property is currently zoned RA (Rural Agriculture) within Baldwin County zoning. Developers requested annexation into the city and a zoning change to PUD (Planned Unit Development). Plans for the property include a mixture of commercial and residential. The westernmost 21 acres which borders Hwy. 181 is planned as a commercial hub with a possible anchor store being a grocery. Commercial tenants are speculatory at this time, but grocery and pet store were cited as possibilities. The easternmost 32 acres are planned as a residential subdivision, which would abut Dunmore Subdivision to the north.
Baldwin County Planning Commission Meeting -November 4, 2021
Dogwood Estates Phase 1 to Add 72 Lots in Summerdale
The Baldwin County Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for Dogwood Estates Phase 1. The 65-acre un-zoned property is located at the northeast intersection of the Baldwin Beach Express along County Road 36, near Summerdale. There are 72 single family residential lots planned for the first phase, which will encompass 25 acres of the total property. The location is in close proximity to a nearby airfield. A 16-acre remnant parcel was also subdivided, but no plans were disclosed for the remnant parcel.
Re-Zoning Sought for RV Park
The Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the County Commission for a re-zoning request to change from RA to RV-1 zoning. The 5-acre property is located north of Brinks Willis Rd., and west of James Rd. It is generally located west of Foley. The property is currently vacant. The re-zoning is sought to facilitate the development of a 65-lot RV park resort.
Orange Beach Planning Commission Meeting – November 8, 2021
Billfish Bay Mixed-Use Development Planned for Orange Beach
The Orange Beach Planning Commission heard a request from developers for site approval for Billfish Bay, a mixed-use development. The 23-acre property is located at the southern end of Captain Trent Lane in the MR (Marine Resort) zoning dist. Plans include 132 dwelling units, 820 dry boat storage berths, 117-slip marina, restaurant, commercial space, and pool. Parking would be around the development and in a multi-deck parking garage. The Planning Commission voted to give their approval to the site plan.
Renderings of Billfish Bay
Fairhope City Council Meeting – November 15, 2021
Re-Zoning Approved for S. Section St. Townhomes
The Fairhope City Council gave final approval for a re-zoning request for a .4-acre parcel located on the east side of Section St., at 211 S. Section St. The property was zoned R-4 (Low Density Multi-Family Residential). The requested zoning is R-3TH (High Density Single Family Townhouse Residential). Plans for the property include remodeling the existing home and adding two townhome buildings.
Spanish Fort Planning Commission Meeting – November 8, 2021
Lot Subdivision in Spanish Fort Center
The Spanish Fort Planning Commission approved a request to re-subdivide lot 3 of the Spanish Fort Town Center. The division will create 3 separate lots being 2.77 acres, 10.82 acres, and 4.21 acres. This involves the areas of the shopping center where JCPenney, Kohls, and other businesses were located. The property is zoned B-3.
Gulf Shores Planning Commission Meeting – November 16, 2021
New Activity Planned for Colonial Traditions PUD
The Gulf Shores Planning Commission approved a request for preliminary plat approval for a 20-lot single family subdivision on Lot 6 of Colonial Traditions Subdivision. The property is located on the southwest side of Traditions Parkway. The Colonial Traditions Subdivision was re-zoned to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with a master plan in 2007. The original master plan for the 121-acre property showed a mixture of single family and multi-family residential uses and building types totaling over 1200 units. Full development of the master plan never materialized. Some infrastructure was completed along with clubhouse, pool, and tennis amenities. This will be the first residential development of the property. Phase I will be developed on 10.9 acres and include 20 single family lots which will be rear-loaded with private alleys.
Colonial Traditions
Proposed Multi-Family Development Could Displace Current Tenants
The Gulf Shores Planning Commission heard a request to pre-zone and annex a 9.2-acre property located at 19326 Oak Rd. West (County Rd. 6). The site currently houses a mobile home and RV park. The Planning Commission heard multiple objections from current tenants, many of whom have lived there for years, and fear being displaced. The developer is requesting the un-zoned property be zoned as R-3. Plans for the property include developing 92 residential units which would be a mixture of townhomes and cottages. The Planning Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council for the pre-zoning and annexation of the property. The draft illustrative master plan is depicted below.
County Road 6 Multi-Family Proposal
Baldwin County Commission Meeting – November 16, 2021
Re-Zoning Approved for County Road 64 Storage Business
The Baldwin County Commission gave final approval to re-zone 27.6 acres from RSF-E to RA zoning. The property is located on the south side of County Rd. 64, east of McBride Rd. Plans for the property include an open-air storage facility for RVs and boats. A site plan will be required prior to any construction, which will include a 30’ landscape buffer to adjoining property.
Commercial Re-Zoning Approved for Beach Express Median Property
The Baldwin County Commission gave final approval for the re-zoning of 4.22 acres located inside the median of the Foley Beach Express just north of the existing gas station located in the median. The property is currently zoned B-3. Developers sought a zoning change to B-4 (Major Commercial) to have more diverse commercial opportunities allowable in B-4 zoning. The Planning Commission voted to recommend the zoning change at their October meeting.
County Enacts Land Disturbance Ordinance to Protect Waterways
The Baldwin County Commission enacted a Land Disturbance Ordinance with the intent of protecting waterways and flood prone areas in Baldwin County. The intent of the ordinance is to help control filling, grading, dredging and similar land disturbance activities which may increase flood damage or erosion in unincorporated areas of the County. The ordinance will require a land disturbance permit review for activities within areas displayed on a new hydric potential map which outlines hydric soils, potential wetlands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife wetlands, and FEMA flood hazard areas. The ordinance is effective 12-1-21.
Daphne Planning Commission Meeting – November 18, 2021
Annexation Requested for New Developments
The Daphne Planning Commission heard requests for changes to the Master Plan, Pre-Zoning and Annexation requests from developers of the Reserve of Daphne and the Reserve at Plantation Hills. The two developments are contiguous but do not have a planned connection. The 258-acre Reserve of Daphne is located east and southeast of Robbins Blvd. and Ashbury Hill Rd. The Master Plan for the Reserve of Daphne was changed to reduce the number of residential lots from 201 down to 57. The Reserve at Plantation Hills remains a 186-acre development with plans for 338 lots located north of the intersection of County Rd. 64 and Montelucia Way. The Reserve of Daphne and the Reserve at Plantation Hills are both seeking annexation into the City of Daphne. The annexation request and a concurrent pre-zoning request were given a favorable recommendation by the Planning Commission and will now move to the City Council for final approval.
Reserve at Daphne Master Plan
Reserve at Plantation Hills Master Plan
Gulf Shores City Council Meeting – November 22, 2021
Increase in Lodging Tax Proposed
The City of Gulf Shores is proposing a 3% increase in the city’s lodging tax. The increase is being considered to fund a 10-year capital improvement plan that includes upgrades in transportation, public safety, park and recreation and school improvements. The city currently levies a city lodging tax of 7%. The city tax is combined with a county lodging tax of 2% and state lodging tax of 4% for a total of 13%. If approved the increase would bring the total lodging tax in Gulf Shores to 16%. There have been public forums to allow comment on the proposal. The Gulf Shores City Council is expected to vote on the proposal at the December 13, 2021, council meeting.
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