Fairhope boards weigh zoning overhaul, Thomas Hospital rezoning, and utility contracts in busy two-week stretch
Fairhope's city boards and commissions tackled a packed agenda over the past two weeks, with the City Council scheduled to consider nine zoning ordinance amendments, a Thomas Hospital rezoning, and more than $125,000 in utility and equipment contracts. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, the roundup below reflects what was on each agenda; final votes and outcomes are not yet part of the public record.
City Council: Zoning amendments and Thomas Hospital rezoning
The July 13 City Council agenda listed public hearings on nine amendments to Zoning Ordinance No. 1253 (ZC 25.07), covering definitions, mixed-use buildings, multi-family housing, planned unit developments, site plan review, tables, townhouses, and village districts. A separate public hearing was set on a rezoning request by Thompson Engineering for Gulf Health Hospitals to rezone 0.35 acres at 751 and 757 Northrop Avenue from R-4 to B-2 for Thomas Hospital (ZC 26.05).
The same agenda included votes on several contracts:
- A resolution authorizing a $75,000 contract with Krebs Engineering for supplemental air installation at the wastewater treatment plant (RFQ PS26-028).
- An award of $42,593.58 to Empire Pipe and Supply for materials for the Dairy Rd Water Main (Greeno to Section).
- Procurement of a Caterpillar SG36 stump grinder for $8,619, listed as net $4,619 after trade-in, from Thompson CAT via a Sourcewell contract.
A separate July 13 Council work session was set to discuss property dedication for the 181 Lift Station and Force Main Project, along with updates on the Purple Heart Salute and a presentation by 2026 Baldwin County Utility Interns. No votes were scheduled for the work session.
Planning Commission: Small cell towers and annexation hearing
The Planning Commission's July 6 agenda included multiple small cell tower requests: three from Verizon Wireless near 450 Fairhope Avenue (UR 26.06 correction), 108 North Section Street (UR 26.10 correction), and 5 North Church Street (UR 26.05), and one from AT&T near 18800 South Greeno Road (UR 26.13). The commission was also set to review a site plan for a Murphy Oil automobile service station at the corner of State Hwy 181 and State Highway 104, and to hold a public hearing on a conditional annexation for tower homes at the southeast corner of County Road 13 and Mosley Road (ZC 26.06).
Environmental Advisory Board: Greenspace and waste
The Environmental Advisory Board met July 10 to discuss 2026 priority issues, including greenspace, native habitat, and sustainable waste management practices. The agenda listed these items for discussion only.
Airport Authority: Land transfer and tenant reports
The Airport Authority's July 14 regular meeting included a land transfer update from Don Ward and a SASO application from Third Coast Aircraft. The agenda also called for reports from the airport manager, engineer, treasurer, legal counsel, and tenants Flightline First and Aspire Aviation. No final decisions were noted on the agenda.
Coming up
- **Board of Adjustment, July 20:** Public hearings on a 15-foot front yard setback variance on 0.14± acres zoned R-2 south of Dogwood Ave and west of Wisteria St (BOA 26.07, PPIN# 364724), and an administrative appeal to allow an accessory structure on 0.29± acres zoned R-3 at 13 Echo Lane (BOA 26.08, PPIN# 74444). The agenda also includes approval of minutes from May 18, 2026.
Readers seeking confirmed outcomes for the July 6–14 meetings should watch for published minutes, which had not been posted as of this roundup.