BAY MINETTE, Ala. —The as-is site plan for a seafood-and-produce market to be located behind Street’s Seafood Restaurant on Alabama Highway 59 was unanimously approved during a special-called Bay Minette Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday.

The structure features an additional 570 square feet as compared to the originally-approved site plan. But those changes were to meet health-code regulations, such as adding a three-compartment sink and walk-in cooler and freezer for seafood, builder Bubba Rider explained.

“Raw seafood had to be isolated and closed off, according to the health department,” he told the commission, explaining that additional changes include shifting the parking lot toward the building in order to save oak trees.

Bay Minette Planning Commission Chairperson Karlin Still inquired about the size of the gravel parking lot to be located off Pecan Street.

Rider explained that the 20-foot lot will hold six parking spaces, one of which will be designated for handicap use.

Oscar Waters, commission member and city planner with the Bay Minette Building Department, said the parking lot still meets requirements, even with the building’s additional square footage.

Rider also explained that drainage will flow under the handicap ramp, into the parking lot and to the drainage ditch.

Waters expanded on his approval of the structure.

“The construction is excellent,” he said. “It’s good-quality workmanship. The only problem was that procedure wasn’t followed.

Rider apologized for the oversight, citing frequent Health-Department visits and inspections. He said those requirements caused the need for a larger structure, and that he will be certain to contact the Planning Commission in the event of future changes.