DAPHNE — A large parcel of undeveloped property between County Road 13 and Friendship Road took one more step toward becoming a nearly 600-home mixed use development.

The Rowan Oak development is a partnership with 68 V Baldwin Land Holdings LLC (a part of 68 Ventures) and landowners Sharon and John Boni, Sharon, Thomas and John Boni, Sharon Boni and Thelma Boni Estate to develop 134.31 acres. During the council's April 1 meeting, members voted to waive the second reading of the petition to pre-zone the property to Planned Unit Development. The proposal received a unanimous recommendation from the 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. The petition before the council requested the land be pre-zoned to Planned Unit Development (PUD).

During the discussion period, Councilman Ron Scott said he learned the planning commission has recommended some architectural requirements that will be brought before the council in the future. Scott said he recommended adding an amendment to the Rowan Oak pre-zoning petition that the PUD would be approved predicated on the applicant agreeing to include the new architectural requirements if the council approves them.

Council President Steve Olen made the motion to include the language, and the council voted unanimously to approve the pre-zoning petition as well as the annexation of the 134.31 acres into the City of Daphne.

The Rowan Oak development project includes a mix of single-family residential subdivisions, 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 1,510 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.