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 May 2022. 

Fairhope

• The Fairhope City Council gave final approval for the site plan and multiple occupancy project planned for 412 Fairhope Avenue. A new 2-story building is planned with retail space on the ground floor and two residential units on the top floor.
• The Fairhope Planning Commission voted to recommend a denial for the 136-unit townhome apartment project known as Gables on Lawrence, located on the east side of Lawerence Road about .1-mile from Grant Road. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny based on the adverse effects that could be generated by drainage, increased traffic, inadequate greenspace, and not meeting the goals of the comprehensive plan for the area.

Foley

• The Foley City Council enacted a temporary moratorium on land disturbance permits while they consider a new Land Development Ordinance that would add more environmental protections for construction, increase green space requirements with active green space, sidewalks on arterial roads, wellhead protection, development of an escrow account for stormwater facilities maintenance, and tree protection credits. The moratorium does not affect permits that have already been received and are under review or have been approved.

Daphne

• The Daphne City Council gave final approval to prezone and annex a 108-acre parcel located on the east side of County Road 13 near Oldfield Subdivision to construct Hope Vineyard, a 236 residential lot development.

Gulf Shores

• The Gulf Shores City Council approved the purchase of a 23-acre parcel on Bon Secour Bay approximately 10 miles west of Hwy. 59 on Ft. Morgan Road for conservation and environmental education programs to be developed in partnership with the Gulf Shores City Schools and the Gulf Coast Center for Eco Tourism and Sustainability.
• The Gulf Shores Planning Commission gave a conditional use permit for Waterway Wines, a mixed-use retail wine store and tasting room with four multi-family dwelling units planned for a 1955 era vacant building located at 2301 E. 2^nd Street.
• Soltis Furniture was granted site plan approval for the construction of a 2,880 square foot building to house a furniture repair business. The .29-acre property is located at 5686 Dee St. in Gulf Shores. 
• Laguna Cove City Park received site plan approval from the Gulf Shores Planning Commission. The 53-acre park will border the southern part of Little Lagoon.

Orange Beach

• The Orange Beach City Council denied two requests for variances from setback standards at Parks Edge and Summer Salt.
• The Orange Beach Planning Commission approved a site plan for a Moe's Original BBW Restaurant located at 25603 Perdido Beach Boulevard.
• Liquid Life Vacation Rentals received site plan approval to construct an operation facility to be located at 4404 Canal Square Lane in Orange Beach. The location is directly north of the Gulf Stream Townhouse Development. 

County

• The Baldwin County Commission gave final approval to rezone 22.9 acres of vacant land located west of the Barber marine from RA (Rural Agriculture) to MR (Marine Resort). Plans for the property include an expansion of the marina, boat and marine services, and additional office space. 
• The Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to approve the rezoning of .5 acres on the east side of Highway 98, north of of Montrose Woods Drive from B-2 to B-3 to allow a drive-through coffee shop.
• The Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to send a denial recommendation concerning a request to rezone 29.4 acres on the north side of Highway 98 on the east side of County Road 91 from B-4 to RSF-4.
• The Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to deny a rezoning request for 54 acres located in the Belforest area, east of Highway 181 and near Rebel Road. The proposed 104-lot residential subdivision, similar to Waterford Subdivision, was denied based on their assessment of an incompatible zoning density with the surrounding area and increased traffic concerns for the existing infrastructure.

For details, visit BR's full report here.