Planning commission denies extension request for Proper Townhomes; applicant must reapply if needed

The Fairhope City Planning Commission voted 7–2 to deny a one‑year extension request for SD 2405, a 10‑unit multiple‑occupancy townhome project that received preliminary approval in July 2024.

Staff told the commission that no permits have been submitted for the site at Nichols Avenue and Young Street and that the city currently has a suspension on certain applications that would prevent re‑submission if the MOP expires. Staff also warned that zoning amendments under consideration by city council could make the project noncompliant if the application were resubmitted under future rules.

Melissa Hadley, who identified herself as the representative who submitted the extension request, said financing and contractor selection delayed the project and that the applicant had recently selected a contractor and planned to submit for a land‑disturbance permit within weeks. "We've selected a contractor now and are very close to submitting now for our land disturbance permit," Hadley said.

Commissioners pressed the applicant about the lack of visible work over two years and discussed the legal and precedent implications of granting an extension when no on‑site construction had begun. Staff clarified that a granted extension would typically be for one year and would require final MOP approval within that period.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to deny the extension. The motion passed 7–2; staff said a denial would cause the current approval to expire and require the applicant to file a new application when permitted or to seek other remedies.

The commission recorded the denial in the meeting minutes; no further action on SD 2405 was taken at the session.