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Planning commission recommends annexation and R‑1 zoning with 1.4 units/acre cap despite resident concerns
Summary
Fairhope planning commissioners recommended City Council approve a voluntary annexation and R‑1 rezoning for a 43‑acre Carter Enterprises tract with a self‑imposed maximum density of 1.4 units per acre; residents urged the commission to consider traffic, drainage, school capacity and notice timing.
The Fairhope Planning & Zoning Commission on July 6 voted to recommend that City Council approve ZC2606, a voluntary annexation and rezoning request from Carter Enterprises to R‑1 (low-density single-family) with a self-imposed cap of 1.4 units per acre.
Planning staff (S6) described the approximately 43‑acre site southeast of the Interstate/County Road 13/Moseley Road intersection, noted the applicant’s voluntary condition to limit density to 1.4 units per acre, and recommended approval as consistent with the comprehensive plan. Staff also reported two written comments received before the packet and one follow-up comment addressing stormwater, drainage, and traffic concerns.
David Deal (S14), the project engineer, and Will Hightower (S8) of Tower Homes said the company aims to preserve roughly a third of the site as green space — Hightower estimated about 15 acres — and proffered the 1.4‑units/acre cap as a development limitation. Hightower estimated the cap would translate to roughly 50 lots, acknowledging wetlands and final platting could change that number.
During a public hearing, multiple residents raised concerns. Cissy Hawkins (S15) asked why the owners sought annexation rather than remaining under county jurisdiction. Dan Lumpkin (S16) and Charles Everett (S9) described recurring drainage and undermined culverts on Moseley Road and said notice arrived only days before the meeting; both asked for greater transparency and detailed drainage and traffic study at subdivision stage. Amy Martin (S17) said local schools are already at capacity and cited school-bus safety at existing pickup points on Moseley Road.
Commissioners discussed density comparisons between county zoning and the applicant’s voluntary limit; one commissioner calculated a potential county yield of 126 lots if R‑1 standards did not apply but noted the current county zoning translates to about 17 lots without rezoning. Commissioners said drainage, traffic and stormwater will be addressed in detail during any future subdivision application and that city procedures require developer/neighborhood meetings before subdivision submission. The commission voted to recommend approval to City Council by voice vote with all in favor; final approval remains with City Council.
The City Council will review the annexation and ordinance change; commissioners asked staff to note resident concerns and to ensure future subdivision-stage drainage and traffic analyses address the issues raised.
