Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting - June 9, 2026

The Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission met on June 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The meeting opened with a prayer and pledge of allegiance, followed by roll call and approval of the minutes from the May 7, 2026 work session and regular meeting. Two consent agenda items were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• PER 26-15 – Red Hill Mobile Home Park Extension: Approved.
• PER 26-16 – Iron Horse Subdivision Phase 2 and 3 Extension: Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cooper Boat and RV Storage (CPD 26-01 / SB 26-09): No members of the public signed up to speak.
• Resubdivision Parcel 1, Case and Stringer (SC 26-16): Sarah Lyle was signed up but did not address the commission.
• Charles Roberts Subdivision Variance (SV 26-08): Applicant Matt Byrne argued that the property would have been 3 acres prior to the county's right-of-way acquisition for the Baldwin Beach Express, and therefore the hardship should be recognized despite the current owner purchasing the reduced lot.
• American Factory Direct Furniture Store (CSP 26-13): Mike Saucer (Gulf States Real Estate) and company owner Bob Gum spoke in support, describing the 90-year-old family business and their first Alabama location, offering higher-end furniture lines.

Discussion Items

• Cooper Boat and RV Storage: Staff presented the request for eight storage buildings (74 units) on 5.3 acres zoned RR. Drainage concerns were raised by Commissioner Waters regarding off-site flooding; the engineer stated the system would retain more water than existing conditions and any maintenance would be completed before construction. Commissioner Seibert noted the high density of impervious surface and the open-space variance required for commercial PUDs, but acknowledged this is a standard regulatory flaw. The commission voted 6-1 to approve.
• Resubdivision Parcel 1, Case and Stringer: Staff presented a two-lot residential subdivision on unzoned property, with smallest lot at 10.78 acres. No questions from commissioners. Approved unanimously.
• Charles Roberts Subdivision Variance: Staff recommended approval based on the hardship from a 2009 right-of-way acquisition that reduced the parcel to 2.6 acres (minimum 3 acres required for a PUD boat/RV storage). Several commissioners expressed concern that the current owner purchased the property knowing its size, so the hardship did not transfer. The applicant argued the county's taking was the root cause. After discussion, the commission voted 5-1 to deny the variance (motion by Lipscomb, seconded by Seibert).
• American Factory Direct Furniture Store: Staff presented the site plan for a 34,063-square-foot furniture store on 3.65 acres zoned B2. No public opposition was received. Commission members had no questions and approved the project unanimously with staff conditions.

Key Outcomes

• Cooper Boat and RV Storage (CPD 26-01 / SB 26-09): Approved (6-1).
• Resubdivision Parcel 1, Case and Stringer (SC 26-16): Approved (unanimous).
• Charles Roberts Subdivision Variance (SV 26-08): Denied (5-1).
• American Factory Direct Furniture Store (CSP 26-13): Approved (unanimous) with staff conditions.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for July 9, 2026, due to the July 4 holiday.

Commissioner Comments

• Chairman noted the next regular meeting is July 9, 2026 (not the first Thursday).
• Commissioner Seibert raised concerns about odors from a metal recycling facility in Loxley and excessive lighting from a recent boat/RV storage on County Road 55 and 24. Staff agreed to follow up on the lighting issue.