Westminster Village resident urges Spanish Fort planners to confirm notice records and zoning reversion rules

Walter Crimmins, a Westminster Village resident, told the Spanish Fort Planning Commission that neighbors believe they were not properly notified when a lot on U.S. Highway 31 was rezoned from R-1 to B-2 and asked the commission to confirm the correct mailing address for future notices.

"I'd like to know if Spanish Fort has our address," Crimmins said, adding that he and other residents want to ensure they receive notice of future actions affecting the lot next to Westminster Village. The lot, he said, remains for sale.

Commissioner David said staff will check tax-assessment records and contact the resident. "We can check tomorrow to make sure we've got the correct address for Westminster Village," he said, and invited the resident to provide an email contact so staff could send ordinance materials and notices.

Crimmins also asked whether a rezoned property automatically reverts to its prior zoning if it is not developed within a year. City counsel Connor answered that the city once had a broad reversionary clause but the city council amended that rule. "There was a point in time where if a property was rezoned but it was not devoted to that particular use within a year's period of time, it would revert back unless it was extended," Connor said. He added that the ordinance was changed so that "for B-1, B-2, and B-3, there is no diversion or reversion. So it will remain B-2," unless the council later changes it.

Commission staff also noted practical limits for future development: the parcel is relatively small (roughly 1.1–1.2 acres, as estimated during the meeting), which could constrain site-plan options and traffic impacts. Staff said any future development proposal would return to the commission for site-plan review where neighbors could comment on traffic and other impacts.

When Crimmins asked how to obtain a copy of the zoning ordinance, counsel and staff said the zoning ordinance (Order 51-96) and the table of permitted uses are posted on the City of Spanish Fort website under the city council ordinances section. Staff offered to email or provide a printed copy on request.

The commission did not take formal action on the lot; staff committed to verifying address records and improving notification for affected residents. The meeting moved on after staff offered to follow up with Crimmins and other Westminster Village residents.