Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting – August 13, 2025

The Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission met on August 13, 2025, at 9:30 AM to consider multiple subdivision plats, site plans, a variance, and a PUD proposal. The meeting included public hearings on ten development items, followed by a director’s report on departmental performance metrics, stormwater management tools, and recycling initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• PER 25-30 Elizabeth Gardens Phase 2 and 3 – Extension request approved.
• PER 25-31 South Bend Village Phase 1 and 2 – Extension request approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Milton Jones Warehouse (PUD 25-03, CSP 25-13, SB 25-17): Ricardo Johnson, a resident of 9821 Milton Jones Road, opposed the development due to an unpermitted, excessively bright sign that shines into his yard and concerns about increased traffic and speeding on Milton Jones Road. He requested the sign be removed or shielded. The applicant’s representative, Larry Smith, stated the owner has agreed to deactivate the sign immediately and pursue proper permitting. No other public comments were received.
• Serenity Acres Subdivision (SPP 25-24): Three residents spoke in opposition. Deedra Hart (24610 Gabriella Lane) noted that the required public hearing sign was not posted on Gabriella Lane, only on a distant corner, and requested a tabling to address lack of fire hydrants, unsafe intersection at County Road 49 and Gabriella Lane, and the need for a stop sign at the new private drive. Ken Hart (same address) echoed safety concerns and suggested the subdivision’s access be taken from County Road 49 rather than Gabriella Lane. Terry Wheelheit (24610 Gabriella Lane) also cited safety issues for children and adults on the road, stating the intersection is dangerous. The public hearing was closed after these comments.
• Other items (Cal Penn Creek Phase 4, Woodlands at Malvis replat, Palms Veterinary, TBG Old County Road 95, Estates on 31, Long Bayou Preserve) had no public speakers in opposition; only applicant representatives spoke briefly.

Discussion Items

• Milton Jones Warehouse (PUD 25-03, CSP 25-13, SB 25-17): Staff presented a proposal for one office building and three warehouses on approximately nine acres in Planning District 15 (Daphne area). The applicant requested a variance from PUD usable open space requirements. A traffic study was required. Staff recommended approval with conditions including resolution of an unpermitted sign violation and recording of deeds. The public hearing included a resident’s complaints about the sign and traffic. The commission voted separately on the PUD, site plan, and variance, all approved.
• SC 25-30 BFL C Cal Penn Creek Phase 4: Final plat for a 5-lot subdivision. Staff recommended approval; no public comments. Approved.
• SC 25-31 Replat of Woodlands at Malvis Lots 24, 25, 26: Replat of 2.19 acres accessed via Rosewood Lane. No new infrastructure. Approved.
• SC 25-32 Palms Veterinary Subdivision: Preliminary plat for a 3-lot commercial subdivision on 4.04 acres off State Highway 181. Access easements provided. Approved with conditions.
• SC 25-34 TBG Old County Road 95 Plat 1: 2-lot industrial subdivision on M1-zoned land. Approved.
• SC 25-35 WA Keller Subdivision: Applicant requested tabling to next month; motion carried.
• SPP 24-23 BFLC Estates at Eagle Creek: 15-lot large-acre subdivision (minimum 20 acres each) on 316 unzoned acres. Private drives required. Approved with conditions.
• SPP 25-20 Long Bayou Preserve Subdivision: 48-lot PRD subdivision on 28 acres with 3.6 acres of open space. Wetland impacts required mitigation credits. Commission debated a broadband waiver; a motion to defer the waiver to final plat approval passed. The subdivision was approved with that condition.
• SPP 25-22 Estates on 31: 5-lot residential subdivision off State Highway 31. Common driveways required with ALDOT approval. Approved.
• SPP 25-24 Serenity Acres Subdivision: 4-lot residential subdivision (minimum 20 acres each) on 81.24 acres zoned RA. Access via private shared drive. Despite public opposition, the commission approved the motion, subject to staff conditions.

Director’s Report

• Stormwater Management: The department is developing a Low Impact Development (LID) site review tool with a consultant hired via Mobile Bay NEP grant. Hydraulic modeling software (Aqua) is being expanded with additional river gauges to assess basin-level stormwater impacts.
• Permit Processing Metrics: Average processing times have dropped significantly (e.g., preliminary plats from 140 to 39 days; final plats from 179 to 54 days). Staff attributes improvements to clearer regulations and streamlined workflows.
• Rezoning Actions: County commission approved rezonings for a large PRD in Point Clear (Bal-Lin development), Wolf Creek Industries (RA to RSF-1), and two small properties. The Davis property rezoning failed.
• Recycling Update: The Material Recovery Facility (MERF) is operational. Curbside recycling is rolling out (Daphne has ~1,000 subscribers). A “Hard to Recycle” facility (CHaRM) opened in Fairhope. Glass, plastic bags, and styrofoam are not accepted.

Key Outcomes

• Milton Jones Warehouse: PUD 25-03, CSP 25-13, and SB 25-17 all approved separately, with conditions including sign compliance and traffic study.
• Cal Penn Creek Phase 4 (SC 25-30): Approved.
• Woodlands at Malvis Replat (SC 25-31): Approved.
• Palms Veterinary Subdivision (SC 25-32): Approved.
• TBG Old County Road 95 (SC 25-34): Approved.
• WA Keller Subdivision (SC 25-35): Tabled to September 2025 meeting.
• BFLC Estates at Eagle Creek (SPP 24-23): Approved.
• Long Bayou Preserve (SPP 25-20): Approved with broadband waiver deferred to final plat.
• Estates on 31 (SPP 25-22): Approved.
• Serenity Acres (SPP 25-24): Approved despite public opposition.
• Consent Items: Approved.

Next Meeting: Scheduled for September 4, 2025.