SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Fence height dominated discussion of final subdivision plat approval for Woodside Business Park during Monday’s Planning Commission meeting, but the measure finally passed with several conditions attached.

At issue was the height of a privacy fence erected by NLC Inc. to provide additional buffer between the business park development at the intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and Jenkins Pit Road and neighboring property owners. At least one Wildflower Trail resident, Jim Richards, took issue with the fence, saying residents were promised an 8-foot fence and vegetation buffer.

“At this point, we have a 6-foot fence and no vegetation,” Richards said.

Developer Nathan Cox, who said he personally owns four lots in the neighboring subdivision, said he certainly did not spend $35,000 erecting a fence to “take the cheap way out” by shaving 2 feet in height. All parties appeared to agree the fence height seemed to be a miscommunication that should be resolved privately between the developer and surrounding property owners.

Following extensive discussion, the commission recommended approval for the request on the conditions a line to identify a 20-foot do-not-disturb area be included; a tree mitigation plan be submitted to address buffer concerns; the buffer area be amended; and a detailed maintenance plan for the detention area be included.

In other business the commission:

The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 13  at the Spanish Fort United Methodist Church Prodisee Center, immediately following a 6 p.m. work session.

An informal work session will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 29 in the conference room at City Hall.