SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A proposed athletic field house at Spanish Fort High School will be the topic of a special Planning Commission meeting set for 6:45 p.m. Monday or immediately following the regularly scheduled City Council meeting that night.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike McMillan told the commission during Monday’s regular commission meeting that the Baldwin County Board of Education would like to consider the item at its Aug. 2 meeting, which will convene before the commission’s August meeting. McMillan requested the item be placed on a fast track to accommodate the tight timetable.

At issue is the commission’s review of final architectural drawings submitted by Paul Carpenter Davis Architecture for the facility that will create a weight room, restrooms and locker facilities for both male and female athletes.

McMillan, who has served as the City Council’s liaison to the Baldwin County Board of Education on the project, said if approved, ground could be broken on the project as early as mid-August. The city’s financial responsibility for the project is capped at $400,000, with SFHS boosters committed to absorbing cost overruns.

The field house will be constructed adjacent to the football field between the fence and parking area.

In other business, the commission postponed consideration of the site and land-use plans for the proposed city complex until the City Council has had time to review the pending rezoning request for the 18-acre parcel at the intersection of Blakeley Way and Spanish Fort Boulevard.

The commission has already forwarded to the council a favorable recommendation for the land to be rezoned from R-1 to B-2.

 Commission Chairman Carl Nelson apologized to residents who might have attended Monday’s meeting to participate in a scheduled public hearing on the site and land-use plans and said the hearing will be held after the City Council takes action on the rezoning request which must precede the other items. (For the complete story, see the July 15 edition of The Bulletin.)

An informal work session will be held at 6 p.m. July 25 in the conference room at City Hall.

The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8, following a 6 p.m. work session at the Gathering Place in the Prodisee Center.