Rowan Oak, a development by 68 Ventures, had its rezoning and annexation approved by the Daphne City Council during the regular City Council meeting on June 17.

The public hearing for the project was set for June 17 back in May but there were no public comments. The council voted to suspend the rules to wave the second reading of the pre-zoning and annexation. The council voted to approve it unanimously.

The Rowan Oak Development, 134.31 acres at the intersection of County Road 13 and Milton Jones Road, is a partnership with 68 V Baldwin Land Holdings LLC (a part of 68 Ventures) and landowners Sharon and John Boni, Sharon, Thomas and John Boni, Sharon Boni and Thelma Boni Estate.

The seven parcels were a mix of zoning classifications that include residential single-family estate, multiple-family, single-family residential and general business. The land will be pre-zoned to Planned Unit Development (PUD) and annexed into the city.

The Rowan Oak development project includes a mix of single-family residential subdivisions, a townhouse complex, apartment complex and commercial enterprises along Friendship Road. The development will include:

• 132 townhomes;
• 204 multi-family units;
• 258 home sites; and
• Parking for 1,510 vehicles across the entire development.

Gulf Coast Media previously reported on an east/west connection intended to ease congestion on County Road 64. The project is a collaboration between the Baldwin County Commission and City of Daphne. The project will connect Milton Jones Road to Pollard Road and add a roundabout on County Road 13 at Milton Jones Road.

The first step of the project was to secure the right of way. In December 2023, Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune told GCM, "We feel we can get some property owners to donate because it increases their property value by having a major road go through there where they can look for new businesses."

Part of the proposed Rowan Oak development includes several public benefits to the City of Daphne and its residents valued at $893,700. They include:

• Donation of an 80-foot public right of way (50 feet wide by others where necessary) to the City of Daphne for the extension of Milton Jones Road from County Road 13 to Friendship Road, valued at $214,200;
• Donation of sufficient right of way to the City of Daphne for the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of County Road 13 and Milton Jones Road;
• Developer will coordinate and provide capital for surveying and engineering services for the Milton Jones Road extension, valued at $144,500;
• Developer to provide design and construction of improvements at the intersection of Friendship Road and County Road 64, valued at $300,000;
• Donation of a 1.8-acre parcel to the City of Daphne for a public park, valued at $95,000;
• Construction by the developer of two pickleball courts within the future public park, valued at $140,000; and
• Annexation of 11.61 acres of commercial property for a potential tax revenue of approximately $535,821.71 annually.