SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A local businessman’s plans to convert and idle Causeway property into a multi-tiered seafood enterprise requires only City Council rezoning approval to proceed after the Planning Commission approved his site plan during Monday’s regular meeting.

The commission has already forwarded a favorable recommendation to the council for Michael L. Lapeyrouse’s request to rezone the site of the former Exxon gas station on the Causeway near the Interstate 10 overpass from R-1 to B-3. The council introduced the item during its Jan. 3 meeting, but procedural rules prohibit taking any action on the request until the Jan. 24 meeting.

Building Official Bruce Renkert said commission concerns regarding drainage, landscaping and lighting have been addressed since the last work session, and the body approved the site plan unanimously, making it contingent on the council’s rezoning approval.

Renkert said he was shocked by the low level of light the site plan proposed, and said, “It will be great and look beautiful if it actually works on that little light.”

Lapeyrouse is seeking to build a combination restaurant, bait-and-tackle shop and convenience on the site.

James Pittman with Southland Properties in Daphne said the commission’s quick action on the site plan is appreciated because a contract closing on the property has already been set for this week.

“I’m a little concerned about closing on the property (without council rezoning approval),” Pittman said, but City Attorney David Conner noted that the item has moved as swiftly as possible through the Spanish Fort government.

Had the next regularly scheduled council meeting not been rescheduled from Jan. 17 to Jan. 24 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, advertising requirements would have dictated the item be held over until the council’s first February meeting. The holiday closure has actually worked in Lapeyrouse’s favor, Conner said.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved unanimously a final subdivision plat approval request for Phase II of the Stone Brook subdivision on the west side of Jimmy Faulkner drive at Paisley Avenue. The commission’s approval is conditional, however, on the developer accepting maintenance responsibility for a temporary turnaround, ensured by a two-year bond.
• Held a public hearing on the city’s proposed 15-year Comprehensive Plan.
• Announced City Hall will be closed Jan. 17 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday with offices re-opening at 8 a.m. Jan. 18.

An informal work session will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 in the conference room at City Hall.

The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14, following a 6 p.m. work session at The Gathering Place in the Prodisee Center.