LOXLEY, Alabama — The town of Loxley joined municipalities throughout Baldwin County adopting the Baldwin County Hazard Mitigation Plan at its meeting May 9.

Loxley, along with municipal governments in Daphne, Gulf Shores, Fairhope, Foley, Magnolia Springs, Orange Beach, Perdido Beach, Robertsdale Silverhill, Spanish Fort and Summerdale, have adopted the plan, a long-term strategy to reduce the community’s vulnerability to natural disasters, which was recently approved by the Baldwin County Commission.

According to a press release issued recently by the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency, the plan identifies hazards and potential hazards within Baldwin County and creates a framework to help community officials make decisions that may ultimately protect lives and property.

The plan also outlines a strategy for implementing mitigation projects within Baldwin County through projects such as floodplain management planning, improvements to drainage and structure elevations.

“History shows that the physical, financial and emotional losses caused by disasters can be reduced significantly through hazard mitigation planning,” according to the release. “The planning process encourages communities to integrate mitigation with day-to-day decision making regarding land-use planning, floodplain management, site design and other activities.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reviews and approves state, tribal and local hazard mitigation plans, which are required as a condition for states and communities to receive certain types of disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects, according to the release. State mitigation plans must be approved every five years, and local and tribal mitigation plans must be approved at least once every five years.

In other business May 9, the council adopted a resolution assenting to the vacation of a portion of Jenkins Pit Road located in the Triangle area off of U.S. Highway 31.

Council members and officials with the project address concerns from residents and business owners at meetings March 14 and April 4.

The purpose of the vacation would be to build a new road, which would be named Declaration Drive, allowing access to a planned subdivision.

At the council’s March 14 meeting, business owners Paul and Sherry Frolik expressed concerns over the impact it would have on their business, including their ability to move large trucks and tractor trailers in and out of the property. Concerns were also expressed about changing the name of the road.

Council members were assured during the May 9 meeting that all of those concerns had been addressed and the measure passed unanimously.

Also at the May 9 meeting:

• Assistant Baldwin County School Superintendent Hope Zeanah addressed the council about putting a sign fronting Highway 59 at the School Board Central Office (the old Loxley Elementary School).
• Adopted a resolution declaring Aug. 4-7 a sales tax holiday for the purchase of school supplies.
• Adopted a resolution for the town’s Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Program.
• Voted to purchase a utility vehicle for the town’s wastewater treatment plant at a cost of $8,599.