Fairhope board approves special exception for Horizon Point Therapy counseling clinic

The Fairhope Board of Adjustment voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to approve BOA25.17, a special-exception permit allowing Horizon Point Therapy to operate a marriage and family counseling clinic in a second-floor suite at the corner of Magnolia and Church Street in the city's Central Business District.

Planning staff told the board the property is in a B-2 General Business District within the Central Business District and measures about 0.38 acres. Staff said the clinic use fits the zoning ordinance’s definition of a clinic and recommended approval of the special exception with no conditions, citing compatibility with existing CBD uses and Article 2 of the zoning ordinance governing special exceptions.

Applicant Jennifer Starling, who gave her Fairhope address at the meeting, described the practice as appointment-only counseling and said she would not prescribe medication on-site. Starling said she currently plans to operate as a single practitioner during the clinic’s first year or two with the option to add clinicians later.

After a brief public-comment period during which no members of the public spoke, a board member moved to approve the application and a second was made. The presiding officer called a roll call and all members present voted in favor; the motion carried unanimously, approving BOA25.17.

Board members briefly confirmed there will be applicants on the January agenda, then moved to adjourn. The meeting closed with holiday remarks from the presiding officer.