Mixed Results for Fairhope AL’s December 3rd Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

The two cases on the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held on December
3^rd included the controversial issue of commercial buildings sized
larger than allowed by city zoning rules. The Wal-Mart near Fairhope was not allowed to be built in city limits
because the rules restricted buildings of this size. However, within the regulations was the
creation of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs), which can allow some buildings
with larger square footage than normal zoning rules allow.

The results of the meeting saw Hutchinson, Moore and Rauch LLC’s proposal to
amend the current PUDs rules to increase the permitted grocery store size from
18,000 sq ft to 46,031 recommended for denial. If they decide not to withdraw their application, the next public
hearing in the coming year will reveal the City Council’s final decision on it. On the other hand, the developer of the Fly
Creek PUD, which is located across from Village North, gained the Commission’s approval
for their commercial retail shopping center phase of the mixed-use development
with only a few modifications.