SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The Planning Commission conducted the first of at least two public hearings on its proposed 15-year development blueprint for the city during Monday’s regular meeting.

Commission Chairman Carl Nelson said numerous residents had contacted him and other commissioners prior to Monday’s meeting indicating they would be unable to attend but would still like an opportunity to address the proposed Comprehensive Plan.

Nelson opened Monday’s public hearing noting no action would be taken and that the hearing would be adjourned following any comments and re-opened during the Feb. 14 meeting, “allowing people to have another voice.”

Nancy Milford was the only Spanish Fort resident to address the commission during the first public hearing questioning whether adequate public input had been culled during the plan’s drafting; the allocation of city resources during the lengthy process; and if adequate feasibility studies had been conducted to determine if the city will have the appropriate infrastructure in place to support the proposed large-scale Highlands development.

Spanish Fort resident Ronnie Gibson also submitted an e-mail Nelson read aloud during Monday’s meeting outlining the former city engineer’s concerns with controlled growth along the Causeway, the widening of U.S. Highway 31 through the heart of the city and the eventual handling of other large undeveloped parcels.

Gibson implored the commission to capitalize on the Causeway’s unique character without sacrificing the area’s abundant natural resources.

Building Official Bruce Renkert said he shares Gibson’s concerns for responsible Causeway development, but noted the city only has authority over roughly 20 percent of the real estate and about “half of that” is already developed. The state, he said, controls about 80 percent of the Causeway land.

For the complete story, see The Bulletin's Jan. 12 issue.