Planning commission approves Eastern Shore Village Center MOP and grants stormwater and green‑space waivers; adds horticulturist review

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted Jan. 5 to grant preliminary approval to SD 26.01, the Eastern Shore Village Center multiple‑occupancy project that would split an existing unit in the shopping center (the former Big Lots space) into two tenant spaces and create a total of 15 MOP units. Staff presented the plan and recommended two waiver requests: one for stormwater/drainage requirements (Article 5 §F / Article 4 §C1H) and one for the green‑space requirement (Article 5 §C). Staff said both waivers were supportable given the site’s pre‑existing conditions and a prior shared‑parking arrangement created when a Starbucks lot was carved out of the shopping center.

Attorney Carrie Kamanis said the applicant submitted a detailed waiver request and reiterated that reconfiguring parking to add perimeter trees would require renegotiation of a shared‑parking agreement among existing tenants; such changes cannot be implemented unilaterally. Commissioners discussed whether limited plantings or screening could be added along Fairhope Avenue without removing parking spaces. Staff and the applicant agreed to have staff investigate specific opportunities in the city right‑of‑way and to report back to the commission and to City Council if needed.

The commission held separate votes to grant the stormwater waiver and the green‑space waiver; both motions carried. Commissioner 14 moved to approve SD 26.01 subject to staff recommendations and added a fourth condition directing the city horticulturist to explore tree and screening options to bring the development closer to landscape requirements; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff noted that if the shared‑parking agreement required revision, that agreement would need City Council approval and recording in Baldwin County Probate Court as part of the project’s implementation steps.