The Oct. 20 packet included Resolution R-2026-78 to submit the Baldwin County Regional Airport Capital Improvement Plan (FY2028–FY2032) to GDOT; FY28 projects total $1,193,000 with an estimated county participation of $29,825.

Public commenters and ARC representatives urged the commission to back ARC of Baldwin County after the Alabama Department of Mental Health decertified the local chapter; the commission placed a resolution of support on the consent agenda and adopted it.

The Baldwin County Commission voted Oct. 6 to enact a 180‑day moratorium on new rezoning requests not yet filed and on unpermitted renewable energy projects, citing staff capacity and the absence of an updated master plan and planning director.

The Baldwin County Commission voted to impose a 180-day moratorium on rezoning requests and new data centers and renewable energy projects in zoned areas, citing the need for updated planning tools, a new planning director and time to review rapidly changing energy technologies.

Commission approved a large PUD (PUD 26-05) and preliminary plat (SPP 26-19) for Point Clear Golf Club Phase 2 (roughly 80 lots across ~92 acres) after staff said engineering, traffic, drainage studies and a USACE wetland permit were submitted; neighbors pressed developers for detail on sewer location, road wear and stormwater protection.

Planning staff recommended approval and the commission approved SPP 26-21 (Greenwood), a preliminary plat for a 185-lot subdivision on roughly 98 acres; residents warned about wetland crossings, flood risk during Hurricane Sally and safety on County Road 73, while staff stressed wetland protections and required USACE permits.

Baldwin County planners approved the 185-lot Greenwood preliminary plat (SPP2621) across about 98 acres subject to USACE permitting for wetland crossings and other staff conditions; residents expressed strong concerns about flood risk, road safety on County Road 73 and density.

The Planning Commission approved PUD2605 and preliminary plat SPP2619 for Phase 2 of the Point Clear Golf Club (roughly 80 lots across ~92 acres) after staff described deviations, wetlands impacts requiring a USACE permit, and Fairhope Utilities coordination for sewer and water.

At the meeting the commission approved multiple consent and land-use items — PUD2604 (Glass Road RV Park), SC2631, SC2632, SC2633, SC2634, SPP2619/PUD2605 (Point Clear), SPP2621 (Greenwood) and CSP2619 (PJ's Coffee) — generally by voice vote; staff will verify required permits, drainage narratives and other conditions prior to final recording or building permits.

The commission approved rezoning of roughly 153.5 acres from RA to RSF1 for the Morgan family estate; neighbors raised concerns about conformity with surrounding large-lot patterns, runoff and access, but applicant counsel and the developer said the lot configuration had been reduced and would comply with subdivision controls.

The Baldwin County Commission voted 3–1 to rezone about 417 acres (GoodRanch/Goodrich property) from rural agricultural to single‑family RSF1 despite Spanish Fort officials and neighbors urging annexation and raising access, traffic and drainage concerns.

The Baldwin County Commission approved the first permanent C3 (Connecting Communities Collectively) project: three safety and pedestrian-improvement phases on Twin Beach Road near US-98. The $5 million project will be split equally between the county and the city of Fairhope.

County grants staff told commissioners Baldwin County was awarded $43.3 million in CDBG-DR funds through ADECA and described three programs: a $19M home-ownership assistance program launching Sept. 21, $13.3M for local infrastructure projects and $10.7M for county-priority infrastructure.

Mobile Baykeeper and other speakers said the plan’s watershed protections were welcome but called for concrete implementation steps, completed natural‑resource chapters and earlier stakeholder participation before adoption.

Multiple farmers and longtime landowners told the planning commission the draft master plan’s farmland‑preservation labels could reduce property values and complicate lending, urging compensation or voluntary conservation alternatives and more outreach.

After hours of public comment on agricultural preservation, infrastructure and stakeholder outreach, the Baldwin County Planning Commission voted to withdraw the draft master plan from tonight’s agenda and directed staff to gather more input before resubmission.

After withdrawing the master plan, the commission approved a consent agenda and several subdivision plats, variances and preliminary plats (including SC26‑19/SB26‑11, SC26‑21, SC26‑22, SE26‑23, SPP26‑10, SPP26‑11, SPP26‑12) subject to staff conditions on drainage, access management and HOA documents.

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com    Wagoner Road test well site. BARNWELL AREA A test well is being drilled at the west end of Wagoner Road, west of the airport.  Morrow Water Technologies is the test well drilling contractor. If the test well is successful a production well may be installed there -- as well as a new water tank-tower, according to utility department sources. The property owner (Blue Sky Holdings, Llc.) has agreed to donate some of the property to the city. Three more test wells are planned as well, at other sites. Test well site. http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheFairhopeTimes

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — A Chickasaw man has died after a crash in Baldwin County on Thursday, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. According to an ALEA news release, 65-year-old Thomas Oliver Swindle Jr. died in the crash, which happened on I-65 near the 35-mile marker. Officials stated that the crash occurred around [...]

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — A section of County Road 48 will close temporarily, News 5 has learned. According to a news release, the portion between Langford Road and County Road 9 on CR 48 will be temporarily impassable on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for cross-drain replacement. Drivers are urged [...]