Land clearing is underway for Foley's latest park, situated in the recently annexed Mills community. The city, having acquired a 4-acre site earmarked for park development, has commenced clearing activities, as reported by Mayor Ralph Hellmich. City crews have successfully cleared brush and some trees from the designated site.

"We've completed that. It looks pretty good," Hellmich said. "That is now opened up, and it looks good, and we'll continue to improve in that area."

He emphasized that many of the existing trees on the wooded parcel have been preserved, marking a significant stride in the project's progress.

"We left a lot of trees," he said. "It’s showing definite progress."

The annexation referendum, approved by Mills residents in August, paved the way for the community's integration into the city of Foley. Darrell Russell, Foley's Public Works Director, noted ongoing collaboration with Baldwin County to transition residents to municipal garbage collection. The service shift is anticipated to be completed at the conclusion of the billing period.

Simultaneously, efforts are underway to establish municipal zoning for the annexed area. The Foley Planning Commission has granted approval for a zoning plan, designating developed parcels in the area as R-4, aligning with the residential zoning in neighboring regions. Existing structures on lots that do not conform to R-4 zoning requirements will be allowed to remain unchanged.

The zoning plan is slated to undergo a public hearing and final approval vote by the Foley City Council in the upcoming stages of the development process.