Commission rejects rezoning for 44-acre tract after planning commission split

The Baldwin County Commission on May 20 declined to approve a rezoning request to change 44.25 acres from Rural Agricultural (RA) to RSF-2 (single-family) in Planning District 22.

Planning staff told the commission the applicant reduced a prior, larger request to remove wetlands and a floodway from the rezoning area and that staff recommended approval. Staff noted "the future land use map designates this area as having moderate development potential, which aligns with the RSF 2 zoning." The planning commission had recommended denial by a 5–3 vote.

John Farley, the applicant, told commissioners the reduced proposal would use lots of about 20,000 square feet and that preliminary traffic and infrastructure work had been completed. Farley said the project was intended to match surrounding lots and "we would just love the opportunity to be able to address the traffic and infrastructure as we move forward to the subdivision stage."

During deliberations, a commissioner noted reservations about adding density in an area where several nonconforming lots remain and expressed concern about septic systems near water. A motion to approve the rezoning failed after a voice vote; the chair recorded "All in favor, Aye," then "All opposed, No," and declared the motion failed.

The property is north of County Road 20 and west of Stuckey Road; staff reported wetlands were a factor when the applicant originally sought a larger rezoning area.