The Robertsdale City Council placed a moratorium on new building permits until Aug. 1 at the regularly scheduled morning meeting May 21.

The moratorium was requested by the city’s Planning Commission to give them and the council time to review a section of the town that is zoned R-2 (which allows duplexes), although the existing residences are all single-family.

Mayor Charles Murphy said it appeared that a section of the city south of Brewton Street, north of Barginer, west of Magnolia and east of Park Drive, was zoned R-2 in the 1970s, when zoning was first adopted.

“We’ve had some concerns expressed by property owners because there are four or five vacant lots in the area that is predominantly single-family structures and there is one duplex already under construction in that area.

“The market has really changed things and some people didn’t even know that the area was zoned for duplexes,” he said.

Sue Cooper, who serves on the council, said she didn’t know she lived in an area zoned for duplexes until she took the time to look up her property on the zoning map.

Murphy said a moratorium until Aug. 1 would allow time to review and possible change the zoning in the area without causing a “hardship for anyone.”

In other business, the council:

— Paid bills in the amount of $258,388.23

— Gave $5,000 to the Robertsdale Library to fund its Summer Reading Program.

— Purchased an ad on the front cover of the Robertsdale High School football program for $500 from the Robertsdale High School Cheerleader squad.

— Approved the purchase of a lawn mover for the police department.

— Adopted an ordinance to annex the Garg Family property on Fairground Road.

— Passed an ordinance to bring city property located on the northwest corner of County Road 48 and County Road 71 into the city limits. The five acres is currently used for an electric substation.

After the meeting, a reception was held and city employees were recognized for their years of service.