DAPHNE, Ala.—A public hearing at Monday’s city council meeting fielded comments on the proposed annexation and zoning of property at the northwest corner of the Whispering Pines Road and County Road 13 intersection.

David Diehl of Engineering Development Services spoke on behalf of property owner Richard Higbee about plans to annex the property into the city and zone around 6.5 acres B-1, local business, and over 13 acres B-3, professional business.

The item was debated at the Aug. 26 planning commission meeting, and a few residents and commissioners expressed their concerns about building a convenience store across from Daphne Middle School, which is across from the property.

Higbee said Monday he would not build a convenience store on the location if that would help get the re-zoning passed. The Daphne Planning Commission has proposed an amendment to the table of uses that requires city planners’ approval of convenience stores in B-1 zones.

“No convenience store would be allowed on this property,” Diehl said Monday night.

A few residents still expressed some concerns.

“County Road 13 already gets heavy traffic,” said Barry Nance, who lives in one of the surrounding residential neighborhoods. “Anymore traffic pressure you put on that area is a phenomenally bad idea.”

“If he sells the property, is the buyer bound to Mr. Higbee’s personal commitment? I am not a lawyer, but I would imagine not,” said Richard Reeves, who lives just southeast of the intersection. “To me, it’s a bad idea to take a residential area and open the door for it to be commercial.”

Diehl stated plans are not to build commercial locations that would bring in heavy traffic.

“(Higbee) is looking for ice cream parlors and sandwich shops,” Diehl said. “He wants to avoid bringing in more traffic.”

The request received a unanimous favorable recommendation from the planning commission.

Since the item was read publicly for the first time, it will not be voted on until the next council meeting, which is planned for Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.