The Baldwin County Planning Commission on Jan. 8 voted to table a proposed 100-unit open boat and RV storage development near the Lillian boat launch (CPD25-03) after commissioners and nearby property owners raised concerns about traffic circulation and site configuration.

Staff said the project is a commission plan development on roughly 3.62 acres zoned B-3 and recommended approval of a related subdivision variance (SV25-24) and the CPD with standard conditions. During the staff presentation, staff noted the applicant requested a variance to eliminate the usable open-space requirement and that the application materials listed "100 units." "As stated, this is a commission plan development approval, consisting of a 100 open boat and RV storage units," staff said during the presentation.

Neighbors and commissioners questioned the layout and the plan graphics. Owner-adjacent Donald Lindsey said he was concerned about stormwater and the change of access from County Road 99 to narrower 7th Street, saying he had not been provided enough topographic information to judge whether runoff would be redirected onto neighboring properties. "I don't know whether they're going to be adding stormwater runoff onto 7th Street or not, but I would be concerned if they are," Lindsey said.

County engineering staff responded that the project was designed to meet county stormwater requirements and that the design showed no increase in post-development runoff. "They made our pre versus post, so they're not increasing the runoff from the site," a staff member said, adding the design includes first-flush measures and 40-foot driveway radii to accommodate larger trucks and trailers.

Traffic circulation at the site drew the most concern because the proposed single entrance aligns with the boat-launch exit across 7th Street. Commissioner Mullins moved to deny the CPD citing "traffic hazard in regards to the boat launch across the street." Developer Dave Gordon offered to revise the plan, saying "We can do the second entrance" or move the entrance further south to reduce conflicts with boat-launch traffic.

After discussing options — deny, approve with conditions, or table to allow a revised plan — Mullins withdrew the denial motion and moved to table the CPD. The commission voted to table CPD25-03 to the March meeting and asked the applicant to submit revised drawings addressing the entrance/exit and circulation prior to reconsideration.

The variance tied to the project (SV25-24) was approved before the CPD was tabled. The commission did not record roll-call votes on the tabling action beyond a voice vote in favor. The developer agreed to return with a revised layout for final consideration.

Next procedural step: the commission will consider the revised CPD25-03 submittal at its March meeting; staff recommended that a layout showing unit configuration and revised entrance/exit geometry be provided as a precondition to re-hearing the case.