New construction is booming in order to meet the demands of the more than 230,000 residents that now call Baldwin County home. Each month Baldwin REALTORS® creates a report from local government meetings to highlight what new developments are in the works in Baldwin County. Below is a brief list of the plans addressed in November 2021. 

Fairhope

• Developers of the Hilltop Residential Subdivision are seeking to annex it into city limits to establish zoning as a planned unit development (PUD) and change the use of a lot at the Southeast corner, allowing that lot to have its own access to South Section Street for potential mixed-use spaces like a cafe or art studio. The Fairhope Planning Commission recommended the change as it goes before the city council.
• A .4-acre parcel located at 211 South Section Street was approved to be rezoned from R-4 (low density multi-family residential) to R-3TH (High Density Single Family Townhouse Residential).

Daphne

• The Daphne City Council gave final approval for annexation of 53 acres located northeast of Highway 181 and Saint Michael Way to be zoned as a PUD. The property plans include a mix of both commercial and residential use, with the westernmost 21 acres planned to be a commercial hub with a grocery store as a possible anchor.
• The Reserve of Daphne, located east and southeast of Robbins Boulevard and Ashbury Hill Road, and the Reserve at Plantation Hills, located north of the County Road 64 intersection, have requested annexation into the city of Daphne. The Daphne Planning Commission favorably recommended the annexation.

Spanish Fort

• A request to re-subdivide Lot 3 of the Spanish Fort Town Center to create three separate lots of 2.77 acres, 10.82 acres, and 4.21 acres was approved.

Orange Beach

• The Orange Beach Planning Commission voted to approve the site plan for Billfish Bay, a 23-acre property located at the south end of captain Trent Lane in the Marine Resort zoning district. Plans for the property include 132 dwelling units and 820 dry boat storage berths.

Gulf Shores

• The City of Gulf Shores is proposing a 3 percent increase to the city's lodging tax to fund a 10-year capital improvement plan that includes transportation, park and recreation, public safety and school upgrades. The Gulf Shores City Council is expected to vote on the proposal, which would bring the total lodging tax in Gulf Shores to 16 percent, at the December 13, 2021, council meeting.
• Preliminary plat approval was granted for a 20-lot single family subdivision on Lot 7 of the Colonial Traditions Subdivision located on the southwest side of Traditions Parkway.
• A request to pre-zone and annex a 9.2-acre property at 19326 Oak Road West, which currently hosts a mobile home and RV park, for the planned development of 92 residential units was favorably recommended by the Gulf Shores Planning Commission. The units will be a mixture of cottages and townhomes.

County

• The Baldwin County Commission enacted a Land Disturbance Ordinance, which took effect Dec. 1, to protect waterways and flood prone areas in Baldwin County. The ordinance requires a land disturbance permit review for activities within areas displayed on a new hydric potential map that outlines hydric soils, potential wetlands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife wetlands and FEMA flood hazard areas.
• The preliminary plat was approved for Dogwood Estates Phase 1, a 72-lot single-family development encompassing 25 acres of a total 65 acres of unboned property located at the northeast intersection of the Baldwin Beach Express along County Road 36.
• A 5-acre property located north of Brinks Willis Road and west of James Road received a favorable recommendation to change its zoning from RA to RV-1 for a 65-lot RV park resort.
• A 27.6-acre property located on the south side of County Road 64, east of McBride Road, will be rezoned to RA for a planned open-air storage facility for RVs and boats.
• The Baldwin County Commission gave final approval for the rezoning of 4.22 acres located inside the median of Foley Beach Express, north of the existing gas station, to B-4 (Major Commercial).

For details, visit BR's full report here.