SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Because of a proposed zoning reclassification, the City Council did not take immediate action Monday night on the annexation of 30 parcels in the Churchill subdivision and set a June 1 public hearing on the issue.

Annexed residential properties typically enter the city under an R-1 designation by default, but City Attorney David Conner recommended the Churchill properties be zoned R-2 based on the lot sizes and densities.

Building Official Bruce Renkert agreed saying some of the properties are already zoned R-2 with a few R-3 parcels, but he said none of the lots should have any issue adhering to the 4,000-square-foot or 2.5 units per acre minimum requirements.

The council approved the amended ordinance to reflect the zoning requirement and set the June 1 hearing, allowing the public to voice any opposition or support of the measure.

City leaders also discussed the proposed annexation of about 49 acres adjacent to Spanish Fort Estates and bordered by the Blakeley River.

District 2 Councilman Mike McMillan raised concerns, however, over the possibility of any fill-in plans for the wetland portions of the property and asked that the council take some time to review the plan more closely before making a decision.

Renkert noted that any development plans for the property would still have to be cleared through the Planning Commission even if the city grants the annexation request.

The item was moved to the council’s next meeting to give council members time to determine if the property owners have already sought—and been denied—county approval for their plans, and if so, on what grounds.

The council will hold a work session at 5 p.m. Monday, May 18 in the conference room at City Hall, followed immediately by the regular council meeting at 6 p.m.