SPANISH FORT, Ala.—If plans are allowed to proceed for a new multi-tiered business on the Causeway, area residents and visitors might soon find a near-one-stop shop for their seafood needs.

During Monday’s informal work session planning commissioners discussed businessman Michael L. Lapeyrouse’s rezoning request for property on the site of the former Exxon gas station near the Interstate 10 overpass.

Lapeyrouse is seeking to transform the lot currently zoned for single-family, low-density residential development into a four-part enterprise that would include a bait and tackle shop; restaurant and bar; convenience store with no fuel sales; and eventually allow for seafood sales.

Building Official Bruce Renkert said the commission typically chooses the most restrictive zoning classifications available to limit out-of-character development from engulfing inappropriate areas of the city. While Lapeyrouse’s latter three proposed uses for the property fall squarely into B-2, the retail bait and tackle shop falls into the B-3 category.

The request gave commissioners pause because a B-3 designation would actually open the door for a future gas station to be constructed on the parcel. City Attorney David Conner noted the Table of Permitted Uses states that while fuel sales are allowed under B-3, the use requires commission approval.

“The city has no intention of approving fuel sales at this site at any time,” Conner said, citing the area’s position within a flood zone.

James Pittman with Southland Properties in Daphne said Lapeyrouse is well aware of the zoning implications and has no intentions of pursuing that venture. He would, however, like to begin construction on the project within the first quarter of 2011 and envisions the enterprise as a “long-term, family venture.”

Renkert said the only other option is to amend the table to allow that use in B-2, a process that takes between 45 and 90 days.