DAPHNE, Ala. — Although the city remains contractually bound to uphold its end of a multi-million dollar partnership for the construction of a proposed north Interstate 10 service road, the city council unanimously approved a resolution withdrawing support for the three-year-old project that has never come to fruition.

“We would like to take our $1 million and do what’s best for our citizens,” said District 3 Councilman John Lake, drawing thunderous applause from the more than 150 TimberCreek residents packing the council chambers.

At issue is the potential construction of an $8 million service road that would bypass the interstate, connecting Bass Pro Shops Drive to Woodrow Lane near the Eastern Shore Centre at Alabama Highway 181.

The original agreement fused commitments of $3.1 million from the Baldwin County Commission, $1 million from the city and $2 million each from TimberCreek Land Co. and Cypress Equities. Daphne’s $1 million commitment to the project expires in July if no action is taken by the county.

Opponents of the plan contend, however, that a key component of the original proposal—the construction of a hospital—has evaporated since being introduced three years ago, and the negative environmental ramifications of the project threaten the integrity of the TimberCreek development and the already precarious D’Olive Watershed.

In addition, plans call for the road to slice through property immediately south of one of the subdivision’s golf courses, drawing ire from residents concerned the move would set the stage to convert the course into a commercial development.

Council President August Palumbo reminded the impassioned crowd that the withdrawal of support is only that because the decision to move forward with the project lies squarely with the Baldwin County Commission, which was set to vote on the item less than 15 hours later.

“This project is a county project,” Palumbo said, noting that if the commission takes resident unrest to heart and opts out of its more than $3 million commitment to the project, a more worthy endeavor would be for county leaders to pledge $400,000 toward the repaving of TimberCreek Boulevard, instead.

Palumbo, who lives in TimberCreek and represents the area on the council, sent a letter to the subdivision’s residents several days ago encouraging opponents of the project to make their voices heard during Monday’s council and Tuesday’s commission meeting because crucial votes would be taking place.

“You have asked us to present opposition to this road and we have been diligent.  This is now your opportunity, if not obligation, to do your part in saving the integrity of TimberCreek, and all you have to do is show up!  Please make the effort. Married couples are urged for both to attend. Families — hire baby sitters. Whatever it takes, if you care about protecting your property values and preserving TimberCreek as we know it,” Palumbo wrote. The letter can be viewed in its entirety online at http://blog.savetimbercreekgolf.com, a website created by resident Ian Walters to keep neighbors informed of the situation.

Immediately prior to the vote, District 5 Councilman Ron Scott explained to residents that the council originally agreed to support the project because of the promise of construction of a new hospital serving Daphne residents in conjunction with construction of a County Road 13 interchange that would “enhance our area.”

“The combination of a hospital, medical jobs and the interchange was very attractive,” Scott said.

Scott said he is aware that withdrawing support for the project at this point could paint the city of Daphne as an “unreliable partner,” but considering the situation’s drastic evolution, he feels the action is “honorable, above-board, gentlemanly and ladylike.”

David Chalk, president of the TimberCreek Property Owners’ Association and a former regional representative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s soil conservation service, pleaded with the council prior to its vote to consider the irreparable damage continued development of the area will wreak on the over-taxed D’Olive Watershed, citing instances of 500 years’ worth of erosion being experienced within one year based solely runoff from existing development.

“This cannot be justified either environmentally or economically,” Chalk said.

Local attorney and TimberCreek resident Tom O’Hara expressed the group’s appreciation for the council’s consideration of withdrawing support because it “will certainly restore the public’s trust” because it  is “responsible and the right thing to do.”

“Expenditures of taxpayer funds should be done with the greatest good of the community in mind,” O’Hara said, noting not only has Mobile Infirmary abandoned plans to build the once-proposed hospital, but demand for commercial space within the city simply doesn’t appear strong enough during a national economic recession to warrant setting the stage for creating additional space.

With vacancies in the Bass Pro development, Eastern Shore Centre and Jubilee Center, O’Hara said “more pressing needs” exist within the city.

LATE BREAKING: The Baldwin County Commission on Tuesday agreed by a 3-1 vote to discontinue work on the service road and withdraw a request to go out for bids.

The action followed comments from several residents of the Timber Creek community, who said the road would not alleviate traffic concerns and would damage the environmentally fragile area.

Commissioner Frank Burt cast the lone negative vote. “We have legal agreements and contracts with other entities and I can’t feel comfortable doing this,” he said.

Commissioner Wayne Gruenloh said monies allocated for the project would be distributed to other road projects after budgetary hearings later this year

Below are comments from Palumbo in reaction to the Baldwin County Comission's vote on the I-10 Service Road:

"We're very pleased the commission responded to the wishes of the citizens of Daphne. We were also happy to bring to their attention the folly of going forward with the project becuse of the fact that it is basically a road to nowhere.

"The City Council's clear intention from the resolution passed in 2007 was in support of building a road that would facilitate construction of a hospital south of TimberCreek, but that's no longer a possibility. We did not see the purpose of disturbing the wetlands and creating the negative environmental impact on the neighborhood for a road that connected shopping centers."

Regarding the impact of public support in swaying the decisions of both the council and commission, he said: "As always, it was government in action, of folks being able to voice their opinions—if not verbally, at least in a show of unity. I think it certainly had an impact."

Palumbo confirmed there were more than 300 TimberCreek residents present at Monday's City Council meeting, and about 150 turned out this morning for the Baldwin County Commission meeting..

In other business the council:

County Reporter Graham Heath contributed to this report.