Neighbors object to RV and boat storage proposal; Baldwin County staff recommend approval

A group of homeowners told the Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 4 that a proposed RV and boat storage lot on County Road 12 would increase traffic and reduce nearby property values, but the commission approved the application after staff recommended conditions.

During the public hearing on CSP24-34, staff said the project is an open parking area with a small office on about 3.3 acres in Planning District 30 (zoned RMF-6). Crystal, a county planner, told commissioners the proposal conforms to the zoning ordinance, that Gulf Shores and Baldwin EMC will provide utilities, and that staff recommended approval with conditions. Crystal said the applicant would provide a 30-foot landscape buffer "all the way around" the property and that the facility would consist of open parking rather than enclosed metal buildings.

Deborah Gregson, who said her backyard backs up to the vacant lot, told commissioners: "We would not like to look at our backyard and see metal." She said County Road 12 already experiences heavy summer congestion near churches and at James Road and worried that another business would worsen traffic problems. Her husband, John Gregson, asked about the distance between the proposed storage area and the Gregsons' back fence and whether fences would be required; staff replied that the landscape buffer will begin on the applicant's property line and that fencing is not required by the county's standards.

The applicant, who addressed the commission as Mister Shunite, said the project is "just going to be parking" with a small check-in office and that they do not intend to construct metal buildings. Crystal and other staff representatives explained that required landscaping must include canopy trees, understory trees and shrubs of certain diameter and that measurements for the buffer would be included in permit review. A staff slide indicated two letters of opposition were received.

After questions from commissioners about setbacks, fencing and prior approvals, a commissioner moved to approve CSP24-34 "subject to staff conditions." The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

The commission recorded no roll-call vote in the transcript; the approval was entered by voice vote and is subject to the staff conditions listed in the planning packet. The applicant will have the usual permit and inspection requirements and the project must comply with any applicable local, state and federal requirements before construction or disturbance begins.

The commission approved the site plan and then continued with other agenda items. No timeline for construction was provided in the hearing record.