Planning commission recommends rezoning of 10-acre site on State Highway 181 to R-1

The Fairhope Planning Commission on Nov. 6, 2025 unanimously recommended that the City Council approve rezoning case ZC25.10, changing approximately 10 acres at 19763 State Highway 181 from RA (residential agricultural) to R-1 (low-density single-family residential).

Staff said the site is roughly 10 acres (about 428,000 square feet) and is currently developed with a single-family dwelling and accessory structures. Hunter, planning staff, told the commission the request is consistent with the comprehensive planplace-type designation of suburban residential and noted that properties in the R-1 district require a minimum lot area of 15,000 square feet. "Staff recommends approval of ZC25.10 . . . with no conditions," Hunter said, and referenced Table 3-1 showing allowed uses in R-1 districts.

Larry Smith of S.E. Civil, the project engineer, said staff suggested the R-1 layout after initial discussions and that the applicantthe owner, Bonnie Bakeris comfortable with a plan that would yield about 17 lots. "They really want to do something they're proud of in Fairhope," Smith said.

Will Hightower of Tower Homes, the developer working with the engineer and owner, introduced his company and described the product mix they plan to build. "We are a family owned and operated home building company based in Birmingham. . . . We've been building homes here in communities like Rock Creek, Summer Lake," Hightower said. He told commissioners the developer revised plans after meeting with staff to align the proposal with city guidance.

Staff noted one written public comment in the meeting packet from a neighboring property owner expressing general concern about development levels in Fairhope and potential effects on utilities and wildlife; staff said future development would be required to meet subdivision and utility development standards at the time of application and permitting.

After asking whether any members of the public wished to speak, the commission closed the public hearing, accepted presentations from the engineer and developer, and a commissioner moved to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The commissionwhich had no additional conditions on the rezoning requestvoted to forward a recommendation of approval. The rezoning recommendation now goes to the Fairhope City Council; staff estimated the council consideration would occur in about a month and a half.