Planning commission approves Old Farm Lane Plat 1; staff confirms construction plans for two hotels under review

The Prattville Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for Old Farm Lane Plat 1, a two‑lot subdivision directly across from Lowe’s off Old Farm Lane South, at its April 17 meeting. The applicant plans to demolish existing structures on Lot 2 and has submitted civil/construction plans to city staff for commercial development.

Staff said both lots will have frontage on Old Farm Lane South, and the applicant has requested private easements shown on the plat. During the public hearing several neighbors and property managers asked whether a hotel or hotels were planned for the site; James Monk of Alabama Land Surveyors confirmed the petitioner represents a hotel group and that civil plans for two hotels have been received and reviewed once by staff, though final site plans had not been resubmitted for permitting at the time of the meeting.

Residents and apartment managers urged the city and developer to consider buffering, tree lines and fencing to reduce impacts on adjacent residential properties and to limit traffic impacts. Staff replied that civil and site plans will be reviewed by engineering and city departments, and that any site work must meet zoning and subdivision regulations; staff also said traffic, stormwater and access will be considered as part of the civil review.

The commission read a resolution approving the preliminary plat; a member seconded and the commission approved the preliminary plat by voice vote. Division of the property into two lots simply divides the land at this stage; any subsequent building plans or site work for hotels would undergo separate civil review and applicable permitting.