SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Freestanding ice vending machines are officially welcome in Spanish Fort, but the pioneering businessmen responsible for raising the issue need to polish their site plan before the Planning Commission will allow the enterprise to proceed.

In a 4-1 vote during Monday’s regular meeting, the commission approved a land-use request by SVC Enterprises LLC to house a self-service ice vending machine on the property occupied by Papa John’s Convenience Store.

Commissioner Kevin Diamond cast the lone dissenting vote. Commissioner Tom Montgomery, Building Official Bruce Renkert and Mayor Joe Bonner were not present to vote.

The ensuing site plan presented on behalf of businessman Van Knight failed to gain approval, however, with commissioners citing continued concerns over traffic congestion the accessory enterprise would create in an already often crowded location.

“I really think the site is too congested to add any more traffic. I think this site is kind of tight for this land use,” said Diamond, who was joined by Commissioners Maura Dismuke and Mary Brabner in voting against the site plan request. Commissioner Chairman Carl Neslon, Bernard Davis and J.R. Smith voted in favor of the measure.

Permit Clerk Donna Dunning said if the traffic congestion issues are addressed, the petitioners are free to re-file their request with the commission as early as next month.

The City Council, following the commission’s favorable recommendation, approved recently an amendment to the city’s land-use ordinance, adding a section to the Table of Permitted Uses that allows for the freestanding machines. As approved, the new use allows for the vending machines to be allowed as “an accessory use only, in conjunction with a convenience store or other retail establishment.”

Such requests will require commission approval, however, and will only be permitted in B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5 and M-1 zoning districts. Papa John’s is zoned B-2.