Commission approves intersection upgrade with Foley and two rezoning cases

The Baldwin County Commission on Aug. 5 approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Foley to rebuild the intersection at County Route 26 (West Michigan Avenue) and Hickory Street, and it approved two zoning actions in Planning District 15.

The commission voted to accept an agreement (item CE3, project H W 25057) under which Foley funded design work to replace the existing span-wire traffic signal with a hurricane-resilient mast-arm signal and add turn lanes to every leg of the intersection. Frank Helmick, Mayor of Foley, said the city paid for the design and will retain ownership and maintenance of the intersection at the end of construction. Planning staff member Frank (presenting) told commissioners the county agreed to fund construction once design was complete. Commissioners approved the agreement by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

In zoning actions, the commission approved a request to change three parcels totaling about 1.2 acres on County Road 64 (north of County Road 64 and just south of Jackson Circle) from B-1 (Professional Business) to LB (Limited Business). Selena, planning staff, said the parcels lie within an urban mixed-use center node and that staff recommended approval. Agent Kathy Barnett said the property owners (the Kims) plan uses such as a produce stand and potentially a food truck; she also said the owners will combine the three parcels into a single recorded parcel. A motion to approve passed by voice vote with one recorded opposition; the transcript records an “I oppose” but does not identify the dissenting commissioner by name.

The commission also approved rezoning case Z2537 (the Corcoran property) from RSFE to RA for a 13.5-acre vacant parcel in the Belle Forest community. Selena advised that the applicant seeks rezoning to expand an existing commercial/storage facility; staff recommended approval and the commission approved the request by voice vote.

Why it matters: The Foley intersection project is intended to improve safety and storm resilience at a county-owned signalized intersection; shifting post-construction ownership and maintenance to the City of Foley changes long-term responsibilities. The two zoning approvals alter allowable uses on modestly sized parcels along growth corridors and may enable small neighborhood-serving businesses and an expansion of a storage facility.

What’s next: Foley will proceed to construction; county staff will coordinate funding per the approved intergovernmental agreement. The Limited Business rezoning requires any necessary site-plan approvals for proposed uses such as a produce stand or food-truck operations. The Corcoran applicant can proceed with plans to expand the existing facility under the newly approved RA designation.