DAPHNE, Ala. — Mike Hopton, representing Christ the King Church, requested permission from the Planning Commission Thursday at its site review to build a temporary gravel parking lot directly across from the church.

“The church has grown considerably,” Hopton said. “Our intent is to build a parish life center.” He added that plans are in an early stage and may take five years to actualize.

Hopton said an entrance would be constructed on Main Street and precautions would be taken to limit storm-water runoff.

Hopton proposed laying a driveway to run from behind Leon’s gas station on Main Street to the parking spaces on Trione Avenue at Centennial Park.

“That’s a plus for us,” Hopton said. “But it’s not necessary.”

He said the proposed driveway would ease traffic flow through the gravel lot.

“This is going to be a temporary situation,” he said, adding that the city could use the parking spaces during downtown events.

Planning Commissioner Larry Chason asked if the developers had considered conducting a tree study.

The group has not, Hopton said, but a study will be performed before a master plan for the life center is submitted.

“I would encourage ya’ll to move forward with a tree study,” Chason said.

The final plans will include saving some of the hardwood trees that line the property, Hopton said.

Commissioner Victoria Phelps asked about a timeline regarding plans for the life center.

Project development is dependent upon donations, Hopton said.

“With a good economy, maybe five years,” he said. “There’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Director of Public Works Bill Eady said the planned driveway into the gravel lot will have to be temporarily paved up to the right-of-way.

The Planning Commission does not vote during its site review; its next business meeting is at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 in the council chambers at City Hall.

In other business, the commission considered:

“We annexed into the city about 14 acres,” Scott Baker, representing Hutchinson, Moore and Rauch, said, “which encompasses 10 lots.

“The other property is still in the county (commision). The intent is to annex that into pieces as well.”

Chason said he’d like to see Baker create a road plan —indicating street layout — without the lot lines drawn.

He suggested the developers shift their focus from property lines and lots to access points and street plans.

Baker said he would follow up with Chason’s request, adding that the site will eventually be a commercial park.

The entrances will need to be widened to allow delivery trucks access to the lot, according to Chariman Ed Kirby.

A portion of the area — currently zoned B-1, professional business — will have to be rezoned B-2, local business, Mayor Fred Small said.

The commission discussed subdividing the property later in the meeting.

“Basically, we’ve got three times as much green space and less impervious area,” developer David Diehl, representing Engineering Development Services, said. “It’s basically just a change in plan.”

The commission discussed subdivisions for:

Three A is 9.3 acres and contains 32 lots; B is 8.1 acres with 27 lots.

The 15-lot, 4.9-acre property is on U.S. Highway 98, approximately two miles south of Interstate 10.