Planning commission recommends annexation of 43‑acre Carter Enterprises tract to R‑1 with voluntary 1.4 units/acre cap

The Fairhope Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously on July 6 to recommend that the City Council annex and rezone roughly 43 acres owned by Carter Enterprises to R‑1 (low‑density single‑family residential), conditioned on the applicant’s voluntary limit of 1.4 units per acre.

Planner staff reported that the proposal is generally consistent with the comprehensive plan and surrounding lot dimensions but acknowledged public comments raising concerns about stormwater, drainage, and traffic along Moseley Road. Staff said they received two written comments and referenced an inquiry from the applicant’s legal representative confirming there is no watershed trust on the property.

Will Hightower of Tower Homes, the developer, described the company’s approach and said the project would preserve about 15 acres of the 43‑acre site as green space. “We think it’s about 50 lots,” Hightower said, characterizing that figure as a rough estimate under the voluntary density cap. David Deal of SC Civil, the applicant’s engineer, said the property aligns with adjacent R‑1/R‑2 zoning and is appropriate for the requested designation.

During public comment, residents voiced consistent concerns. Dan Lumpkin said he’d long lived on Moseley Road and was worried about traffic, drainage and property values if development proceeds. "I'm concerned about what it will do to the value of my property," Lumpkin said. Charles Everett called drainage a "major issue," and Amy Martin said the neighborhood school is "very full" and that bus pick‑up on Moseley is already unsafe.

Commissioners discussed alternative lot yields: staff noted full R‑1 density could produce as many as about 126 lots, the applicant's 1.4‑units‑per‑acre cap would yield roughly 61 lots (subject to wetlands and layout), and current county zoning might allow far fewer or different outcomes depending on county rezoning. Staff said about 5–6 acres of wetlands have been delineated and that a local stream will require buffer protections during later subdivision design.

After discussion, the commission voted to recommend approval with the voluntary density cap and directed that the matter go to the City Council for final action.

Next step: Fairhope City Council will consider the annexation ordinance; the commission’s recommendation does not itself change zoning until council action.