Spanish Fort planning commission approves State Farm office, Riviera substations and Prodisee Pantry addition
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Summary
The commission approved a State Farm site plan, a Riviera Utilities land‑use special exception and a paired site plan for Eastern Shore Substation 2, and a 552‑sq‑ft cooler/freezer addition for Prodisee Pantry — the Prodisee vote included a waiver of landscape requirements.
At its meeting the Spanish Fort Planning Commission approved multiple applications: a State Farm commercial site plan (case 251202), a land‑use special exception for Riviera Utilities and a corresponding site plan for Eastern Shore Substation 2 (cases 251203 and 251204), and a 552‑square‑foot cooler/freezer addition for Prodisee Pantry (case 251205). Staff recommended approval for each item and the commission approved each by motion and roll call.
State Farm (case 251202): Casey said the site was recently rezoned to B2 (local business) and the parcel is approximately 0.72 acres. The applicant proposes to use about 38.36% of the property for building and pavement; the plan shows 12 parking spaces, one of which is ADA accessible, which staff said exceeds the minimum required number. An NPDES stormwater permit from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management will be required; staff confirmed receipt of the applicant's Notice of Intent.
Riviera Utilities (cases 251203 and 251204): The commission first approved a land‑use special exception to permit an electrical substation on Lot 8 of I‑Ten Commerce Center Phase 2 and then approved the corresponding site plan for Eastern Shore Substation 2. Casey described the 3‑acre parcel, noted the applicant proposes to use 39.41% of the parcel for hard structures and that four parking spaces are provided (the ordinance requires either 25% of the parcel or four spaces, whichever is smaller, for substations). Commissioners discussed visual screening and landscaping; staff said the proposed landscaping and buffers provide the intended screening and that fence‑slat solutions previously used at other substations had wind‑loading issues.
Prodisee Pantry cooler/freezer (case 251205): Casey said the project is a 552‑square‑foot cooler/freezer attached to the north wall of an existing building at 9315 Spanish Fort Boulevard. Because the change does not materially increase impervious surface the project does not require an NPDES permit; the applicant requested a waiver from the Landscape and Tree Protection Ordinance (ordinance 5‑43‑2019). One commissioner said he had met with Dean Servos of Prodisee Pantry and that requiring new professional landscape work could cost the pantry an estimated $12,000–$15,000 that would otherwise go to feeding families. The commission approved the site plan and granted the landscape‑ordinance waiver.
All votes were recorded by roll call; staff noted that special‑exception items still require subsequent review by the Board of Adjustment where applicable. The commission also reiterated that approvals tied to special exceptions should be conditioned on any required Board of Adjustment action when appropriate.
