A large parcel of undeveloped property between County Road 13 and Friendship Road could soon see major development.

The Rowan Oak development is a partnership with landowners Sharon, John, Thomas, Sharon and Thelma Boni and 68 V Baldwin Land Holdings LLC (a part of 68 Ventures) to develop 134.31 acres. Daphne City Council had the first reading of the request to rezone the property to Planned Unit Development during their March 18 regular council meeting. The proposal received a unanimous recommendation from Daphne Planning Commission.

The seven parcels are currently a mix of zoning classifications that include residential single-family estate, multiple-family, single-family residential and general business. They are also seeking to have the 134.31 acres annexed into the city.

The Roan Oak development project includes a mix of single-family residential subdivision, a townhouse complex, apartment complex and commercial enterprises along Friendship Road. According to the documents provided in the council packet, the proposed development would include:

• 132 townhomes;
• 204 multi-family units;
• 258 home sites; and
• Parking for 1510 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 Baldwin County Commission and the 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 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.

During the public hearing, one resident came forward to speak on the project. Judy Wilson, a Daphne resident who lives on County Road 64, voiced concerns over the additional traffic issues the Rowan Oaks development and the 594 homes could bring to an already congested area. She also voiced concerns over the number of additional children who will need space in Daphne schools.

Included in the council packet were emails and letters from several residents expressing concerns over the development.

Donna and Noel Eagleson, who own a home on Friendship Road, voiced concerns over losing the privacy the wooded property provides and asked the developers to consider a 50-foot buffer zone along the southern edge of their property and privacy fencing with landscaping along the adjoining development. They also voiced concerns over added traffic.

The second reading of this matter was on Daphne City Council's April 1 agenda.