Spanish Fort planning panel recommends annexation, pre‑zoning for Longleaf planned unit development

The Spanish Fort Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council consider annexing and pre‑zoning the Longleaf Planned Unit Development, a proposal to develop roughly 1,654 acres along White House Fork Road Extension and Alabama Highway 225. The recommendation clears the application to proceed to city council for final consideration.

The development team said the Longleaf plan centers on a professional 18‑hole golf course and associated amenities, a proposed farm animal sanctuary covering about 400 acres, and a mix of residential units. Applicant Wade (last name not specified) told the commission he and partners bought the land in 2005 and resumed development work about three years ago: "We now have 25 animals on the animal sanctuary so far... and we expect to open to the public in '26," he said.

Why it matters: annexation would place the property under Spanish Fort municipal ordinances, subdivision standards and city review rather than Baldwin County rules. That would change which standards apply to future plats, roadway construction and some public services as the proposal moves through phased site plans and subdivision applications.

Most important details: city staff described the submittal as a PUD master plan and narrative that would govern future phases. The applicant and staff said the overall project footprint is about 1,654 acres and the applicant has proposed a total of about…