A new project at the site of the old Fairhope Hardware building is gaining momentum within the City of Fairhope.

On Monday, the Fairhope Planning Commission, by a vote of 8-1, recommended approval of plans for a three-story, 26-room boarding house project located at 301 Fairhope Ave., which is where the Fairhope Hardware building was located before it was demolished last fall.

Plans for the proposed new building, applied for by S.E. Civil LLC for property owner FST SILDI LLC, include a restaurant and medical spa on the first floor and a rooftop terrace for occupants and their guests, with documents indicating that the rooftop terrace will include a bar and dining area. The plans presented at Monday’s meeting also included additions that address concerns brought up by the commission during a December meeting when the project was presented to them, such as adequate storage space, loading zone access and utility placements.

Planning Commission Vice Chair Rebecca Bryant was the sole no-vote, who raised concerns regarding enforcement of the city’s applicable zoning ordinance as well as concerns over potentially unauthorized venue activities on the rooftop terrace, but City Attorney Chris Williams said he believes the city’s preexisting oversight mechanics and usual policing would be sufficient. Though the rooftop terrace is intended for boarding house guests, it was indicated that it could also potentially be used as space for private events such as weddings.

Though the planning commission ultimately voted in favor of the plans, Chairman Lee Turner sympathized with Bryant’s concerns.

“In this case, I hear Rebecca,” Turner said. “I like this proposal as a one-off. I don’t like it as a precedent. I think having one like this in town might be a really neat thing.”

Another concern that has been lingering is a growing need for parking in the downtown Fairhope area. A parking study has been in the works by Walker Parking Consultants after being commissioned by city council last summer, which is expected to be presented to the public in an upcoming city council meeting. As of August 2025, preliminary results found that around 600 to 700 new parking spaces may be needed throughout the area to meet recent growth.

When the proposal was first presented to the planning commission last month, lead planner Mike Jeffries said guests would have to find parking around town when asked where they would park. The only parking shown in the renderings includes an on-site spot for the resident manager, who will live there. The commission voted in December to push the application's discussion to this month.

The proposed project now needs approval from city council.