Fairhope Board of Adjustments approves church expansion, indoor car dealership, chiropractic office and Sweetwater restaurant; two items tabled

The Fairhope Board of Adjustments approved several land‑use requests at its recent meeting and tabled two items for further work with city staff.

Most significant approvals included an expansion for St. James Episcopal Church, permission for an indoor high‑end car dealership at 365 Commercial Park Drive, a professional medical office use for Sweet Home Chiropractic, and conditional approval for a restaurant at the Preserve at Sweetwater. In two cases the board agreed to wait for revised materials: a front‑setback variance application for 50 Fells Avenue was tabled at the owner’s request, and a proposal from Culver’s for dedicated in‑car dining parking spaces was tabled after lengthy discussion (see separate article).

St. James Episcopal Church — 860 North Section Street: Planning staff recommended approval to allow the church to expand on its roughly 9.6‑acre R4 parcel, including a new entrance from North Section Street, reconfigured parking, new sidewalks and a phased plan that includes a multipurpose building in phase 3. Michelle Melton, a city planner who presented the case, told the board that “staff does recommend approval of this case to allow St. James Episcopal Church to expand within its site.” Board members moved, seconded and approved the use on appeal by roll call.

Alabama Luxury Exotics — 365 Commercial Park Drive: The board approved a request to allow an indoor exotic car dealership in an M‑1 light industrial district. Staff reviewed the proposed use under the zoning criteria and recommended approval. Applicant Jack Malding told the board the business will be strictly indoor sales of high‑end vehicles and said the plan calls for “between 10 to 18 cars” displayed inside. Neighbors who spoke at the hearing said they had no objection; the board voted to approve the use not provided for.

Sweet Home Chiropractic — 68 North Bancroft: The board granted a use‑on‑appeal for a professional medical office in a multi‑tenant B‑2 building. Staff noted the city’s recent code‑enforcement outreach found that some long‑operating tenants lacked current business licenses; the proposed chiropractic office is located in the southern portion of the building and staff recommended approval. Applicant Tim Hogan said he had been unaware a city business license was required and said he had been working to come into compliance.

Preserve at Sweetwater restaurant — Sweetwater Circle (approx. 2.06 acres): The board approved a restaurant use in a B‑1 local shopping district with conditions. The property was annexed into the city under Ordinance 1299 (2006) and the applicant seeks to replat four previously created lots into one buildable parcel. The Planning Commission recommended rezoning the parcels to B‑1; staff and the applicant proposed conditions including that the site be used for restaurant only, that hours be limited to dinner service (Wednesday through Sunday, 5–10 p.m.), and that parking, wetlands and buffers be addressed in the final site plan. Dewberry and project civil/environmental consultant Kathy Barnett described a preliminary plan showing wetland protections and a 30‑foot buffer; the board approved the appeal with staff conditions, noting final engineering and building permits remain required and the zoning change must proceed through city council.

Tabled items: The owner of 50 Fells Avenue asked to postpone review of a variance for a 15‑foot front setback and other variances until the board’s February meeting; the board granted that request. The Culver’s in‑car dining application (see separate article) was tabled at the applicant’s request so staff and the developer can provide a full engineered site plan that responds to parking maximums, landscape and drainage requirements.

Votes at a glance - BOA 24.11 (Jason LaSource) — request to table variance for accessory structure at 50 Fells Avenue — outcome: tabled at applicant’s request. - BOA (St. James Episcopal Church, use on appeal) — location: 860 North Section Street — outcome: approved (staff recommended approval). - BOA 25.01 (Alabama Luxury Exotics) — indoor car dealership at 365 Commercial Park Drive — outcome: approved (staff recommended approval; indoor sales only; no outdoor display or repair permitted). - BOA 25.02 (Culver’s in‑car dining) — in‑car dining spaces at corner of Highways 181 and 104 — outcome: tabled (applicant requested time to work with staff). - BOA 25.03 (Sweet Home Chiropractic) — professional medical office at 68 North Bancroft — outcome: approved (staff recommended approval). - BOA 25.04 (Preserve at Sweetwater restaurant) — restaurant in B‑1 zoning; approx. 234 seats proposed including outdoor benches; limited hours and conditional on replat and city council zoning action — outcome: approved with staff conditions.

What happens next: Approved items will proceed to building permit review and other required steps (engineering, landscaping, tree permits, utilities). The two tabled matters will return when applicants submit revised plans or request a new hearing date.