ROBERTSDALE — Residents, farmers, environmental advocates and community leaders gathered Thursday to offer feedback on Baldwin County's proposed Draft Master Plan 2026, a long-range document intended to help guide the county's growth and development.

The Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing Aug. 6 on the draft plan, which outlines strategies related to land use, infrastructure, transportation, environmental stewardship and quality-of-life improvements throughout the county.

The commission decided to pull the plan from consideration for the time being, allowing additional opportunity for public and municipal input. Steven Pumphrey, chairman of the commission, said holding the public hearing would allow residents to formally share their thoughts and give county officials information to consider as the plan is reviewed and potentially revised.

"This document that we have before you tonight is not zoning," Pumphrey said. "It's a master plan that is to guide the county in its future growth. It's not regulatory."

The Draft Master Plan is intended to provide a long-term framework for Baldwin County as the area continues to grow. During the meeting, Pumphrey said the plan is intended as a guide for future planning rather than a zoning document.

Pumphrey said the plan can help county officials consider factors such as existing utilities and infrastructure when making future planning and zoning decisions. He also described it as a "living document" that would be reviewed periodically as the county changes.

Much of the public discussion centered on how the plan could affect agricultural land and property owners.

Allen Woerner, CEO of Woerner Farms, said he and other farmers became aware that some family properties had been identified under a farmland preservation category in the draft plan. He said the designation prompted conversations among farmers who have families with longstanding ties to Baldwin County.

Woerner said many agricultural properties are located near existing subdivisions and have access to roads, water and sewer infrastructure. He encouraged county officials to continue working with farmers and landowners as the plan develops.

"We just don't want somebody taking those rights away," Woerner said.

Woerner also said farmers are willing to work with the county on infrastructure and transportation planning and encouraged continued communication between agricultural landowners and county officials.

Joan Ard, an Elberta resident, also expressed concerns about the proposed land restrictions and their potential effect on property owners.

"I feel like it's an unfair burden on the people who've invested their savings, their futures and their private property," Ard said.

Ard said she supports planning for growth and protecting the environment but believes those goals should be balanced with property rights. She encouraged the county to consider voluntary conservation efforts and continued collaboration with landowners.

Environmental concerns were another part of the discussion.

Cade Kistler, the Baykeeper for Mobile Baykeeper, said the organization has been working on a Smart Growth Policy Blueprint based on concerns expressed by residents throughout Baldwin County. He said those concerns include flooding, wetlands, stormwater runoff and sewage spills.

Kistler said there are several elements of the draft master plan that his organization supports, including watershed-based stormwater management, a countywide stormwater plan and efforts to direct development toward areas where infrastructure can support it.

At the same time, Kistler said more stakeholders should have an opportunity to participate in the planning process.

"My biggest concern, already shared by others, is that there hasn't been much stakeholder input," Kistler said.

Kistler also explained that a master plan establishes a vision for the county, while future regulatory measures would be used to implement portions of that vision. He said Mobile Baykeeper plans to remain involved as the county continues developing the plan.

John "Tater" Harris, Baldwin County commissioner-elect for the District 4 seat, also encouraged additional communication among county officials, municipalities, farmers, real estate professionals and other community members.

"Putting this on the agenda this quickly and not having time for planning staff or cities, municipalities, people who had got up here repeatedly said their land would be devalued," Harris said.

Harris said bringing more people into the conversation could help the county develop a plan that reflects a wider range of perspectives.

"We get smarter together when we put more people in a room, and we have more unity and listen to each other," Harris said.

Pumphrey said the planning and zoning commission itself has differing perspectives on the draft plan. He said the public hearing was an important part of the process because residents were able to review the document and provide specific feedback.

"This planning commission didn't produce the document," Pumphrey said. "We're tasked with holding the public hearing and reviewing the document ourselves."

Pumphrey said the commission welcomed the comments and that the feedback would be part of the continued review of the plan.

Pumphrey acknowledged that Baldwin County has significant differences between its more rapidly developing areas and its more rural communities, making the development of a countywide plan a complex process.

"We're trying to write one document to fit the entire county," Pumphrey said.

Pumphrey said the plan is required by legislation and will eventually be presented as a recommendation to the Baldwin County Commission. 

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.