FAIRHOPE, Ala. - The Planning Commission decided Monday to recommend a change in city zoning law to mandate a 25 percent pervious paving requirement in parking lots for all commercial developments with more than eight parking spaces.

That recommendation will be considered by the City Council at an upcoming meeting for a final decision.

“We’ve required this on a couple projects, and it’s worked well,” said Jonathan Smith, planning department director. “I think it’s a good step forward for Fairhope.”

The proposal was initiated by the planning department as part of its efforts to evaluate alternative low-impact development technologies for improving the development of stormwater, Smith said.

The proposed change in zoning law by the planning department would have required that 25 percent of all commercial parking lots be constructed of pervious materials in order for rain water to flow straight through into the ground instead of running off into nearby waterways.

“I feel uncomfortable making a recommendation one way or the other,” commission member said Lee Turner about the proposal, adding that he was concerned about smaller commercial projects with only a few parking spaces. “I don’t know if the cost and effort is worth doing if they’re already holding the water on their property.”

Public Works Director and commission member Jennifer Fidler recommended that the proposal be amended to require the pervious paving requirements in commercial developments with more than 12 spaces.

“Maybe we could make it eight spaces and live with it awhile and see how it works,” said commission chairwoman Jean Wilson, adding that the zoning law change could be modified depending on that experience.

The commission voted unanimously to amend the planning department’s proposal to require the 25 percent pervious paving requirement be required for commercial projects with more than eight parking spaces.

Jim Horner, chairman of the Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board, was the only person to speak at the public hearing on the zoning law change.

He said his group supported the proposal but that the commission in the future should also consider reducing the number of parking spaces required for commercial projects.

“Runoff is a serious problem in this county,” said Dick Charles, commission vice chairman. “Twenty-five percent is a good start.”