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Planning Commission approves Nature Walk at Graham Creek deviations and preliminary plat with conditions
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a deviation request and preliminary plat for Nature Walk at Graham Creek (77.16 acres, 41 lots) with conditions addressing greenbelt buffers, road overlays, fire turnaround, and tree-density requirements; two commissioners voted against both approvals.
The Foley Planning Commission approved both a deviation from subdivision regulations and the preliminary plat for the Nature Walk at Graham Creek on May 20, 2026. The development totals 77.16 acres and proposes 41 lots; the applicant is DHI Engineering, LLC and the developer said D.R. Horton would build the homes.
Staff recommended approval of the deviation from Subdivision Regulations (Section 5.5.F.2.b and Section 5.8.B) and the preliminary plat, subject to conditions: preserve a 30-foot greenbelt along Philomene Holmes Boulevard, supplement existing trees where needed, install a transparent fence no taller than 42 inches adjacent to public open space, provide a crosswalk at Philomene Holmes and Roscoe Road, overlay Philomene Holmes and Roscoe Road to meet the 2022 Land Development Ordinance wearing-surface requirements, provide a fire-department turnaround that meets Appendix D of the 2024 International Fire Code, and submit a full landscape plan meeting the LDO 2022 tree-density standard (minimum 10 native trees per acre of open/civic space, offsets allowed by preserving trees of 8" DBH or greater).
Commissioner Ralph Hellmich moved to approve the deviation and preliminary plat with staff comments and conditions; Commissioner Calvin Hare seconded both motions. Commissioners Larry Engel and Phillip Hinesley voted no on the deviation and on the preliminary plat; the motions passed with the remaining commissioners voting aye.
Commissioner Engel raised environmental-impact concerns and Commissioner Hinesley expressed unease about approving deviations that might set future precedents; staff and other commissioners characterized this as a compromise that includes protections such as the preserved greenbelt and supplemental planting requirements.
Next steps include satisfying the listed conditions during land-development permitting and completing the required roadway overlays and fire-access improvements prior to final plat approval.
