Baldwin County Commission Regular Meeting (Rescheduled from January 21) - January 28, 2025

The Baldwin County Commission held its regular meeting on January 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM following a pre-meeting work session at 9:00 AM. The meeting was rescheduled from January 21 due to a historic winter weather event. Commissioners McKenzie, Underwood, and Gruber were present; Commissioner Ball was absent. The agenda included consent items, three public hearings, and commissioner comments. Key actions included approval of the consent agenda (with one item pulled), tabling of the Randall Property Rezoning, approval of the Johnson Property Rezoning, denial of the Bear Creek Planned Residential Development, and adoption of multiple resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of January 7, 2025 Regular Meeting (3-0).
• Approved payment of bills (BA1) and noted interim payments (BA2).
• Approved Consent Agenda with 24 items, excluding CS2 (Proposed Planning District 38) which was pulled from the agenda. Notable consent items include:
  • CA1: Krewe of Mullet Mates 25th Annual Mardi Gras Parade on County Road 1, March 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM.
  • CE1: Award of bid for two animal transport body units ($83,550 total) to Truck Equipment Sales, Inc. (9-11 month delivery).
  • CE4/CE5: Authorization to begin negotiations with Thompson Engineering (CR 65 Corridor Extension) and Gresham Smith (Styx River Road Bridge Replacement) for engineering/environmental services.
  • CE7: Resolution #2025-068 amending FY2025 budget to reallocate funding.
  • CH1: Agreement with City of Fairhope and Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department for interoperability communications system (three-year term beginning Jan 31, 2025).
  • CL1: Adoption of Resolution #2025-069 approving the Baldwin County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan 2025-2035.
  • CN2: Acceptance of $50,000 ACAMP grant for Meadows Park Public Access (terminates March 31, 2026).
  • CO1: Acceptance of Sarah Farms Phase II subdivision roads and a $688,052.52 surety bond from Merchants National Bonding.
  • CO2-CO4: Permission to advertise for drainage improvements (CR 48), clearing/grubbing (CR 64), and intersection improvements (Hinote Glass Road at SR 59).
  • CR5: Approval of $1,781,433.32 in insurance premiums for ACCA liability, property, inland marine, auto, canine, and drone coverage.
  • CR6: Approval of $4,766.82 Maritime Employer's Liability policy renewal.
  • CS1: Authorization of second Letter of Intent to USACE for a shoreline erosion study of the northern shoreline of Fort Morgan.
  • CJ1: Authorization to accept $21,220.35 State Farm settlement for totaled 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe and purchase a 2025 replacement.
  • Personnel items (CR1-CR4): Promotions and new hire in CIS and Highway departments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Randall Property Rezoning (ES1):
  • Applicant's representative Joseph Thetford (Chason & Chason) expressed support, stating the proposed B2/RSF-2 zoning is consistent with growth patterns and complies with Planning District 37 local provisions.
  • Garry Little (resident) expressed opposition, citing increased traffic congestion on Highway 104, safety concerns at the intersection, and questioning the need for additional commercial development. He noted the property was previously denied for apartments.
  • Ben Gould (resident) opposed the rezoning, showing aerial views and questioning a typo in the staff report referencing Planning District 15 instead of 37. He argued the "orange crayon" expansion of the commercial node is not regulatory.
• Johnson Property Rezoning (ES2) and Bear Creek PRD (ES3):
  • Dwayne Smith (Anchor Engineering, representing developer) expressed support for both items, presenting layouts showing amenities and green space, arguing the PRD improves upon a standard subdivision.
  • Ali Doyle (adjacent property owner) expressed opposition, raising concerns about drainage, flooding risks, and the hilly terrain requiring extensive site work. She noted a discrepancy between the plan printed that morning and the one shown.
  • Tracey Gambill (resident) expressed opposition, questioning the composite density of 2.2 lots per acre (above RSF-1's 1.45/acre) and arguing this undermines zoning categories. She also suggested reevaluating the master plan near a new school site.
• General Public Comments: Tracey Gambill thanked the commission for comments on ES3 and for considering quality of life.

Discussion Items

• Pre-meeting Work Session: Discussion on CS1 (Fort Morgan shoreline erosion study) included explanations from Ashley Campbell (Natural Resource Planner) and David Newell (USACE Coastal Resiliency Program Manager). They noted the second Letter of Intent allows the Corps to compete for FY2026 funding, and the study aims for a long-term solution. Commissioner Underwood also received an update on the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) from Jenny Johnson (LaBella Associates) and announced the March 1, 2025 Clean Sweep event.
• Randall Property Rezoning (ES1): Commissioner Underwood recommended tabling to February 18, 2025, citing unknown questions and the sensitivity of the area. The motion passed 3-0.
• Johnson Property Rezoning (ES2): Approved 3-0 to rezone 58 acres from RA to RSF-1, with Commissioner Underwood noting the rezoning itself is acceptable.
• Bear Creek PRD (ES3): Denied 3-0. Commissioners expressed that the PRD undermines subdivision regulations, does not provide quality development, and attempts to increase density beyond RSF-1 standards. Commissioner Underwood and Gruber emphasized the PRD should not be used to erode zoning classifications.
• Commissioner Comments: Commissioners thanked staff and first responders for handling the historic snow event (record 8-10 inches). Chairman McKenzie reported 42 crashes in Baldwin County over five days and explained the decision not to invest in salt/plow equipment for a rare event. Commissioner Underwood echoed support and thanked the highway department and EMA.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Consent Agenda approved (3-0) with CS2 pulled.
  • ES1 (Randall Property Rezoning) tabled to February 18, 2025 (3-0).
  • ES2 (Johnson Property Rezoning) approved (3-0) via Resolution #2025-060.
  • ES3 (Bear Creek PRD) denied (3-0).
  • Executive session held during work session (3-0) to discuss pending litigation.
• Directives: Staff authorized to negotiate engineering contracts for CR 65 Extension and Styx River Bridge; permission to advertise for three highway projects; insurance payments approved; second Letter of Intent for Fort Morgan erosion study executed.
• Next Steps: The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 18, 2025, at the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse.