The process to zone seven parcels of land as B-1A extended business district began without objection Monday evening during the Foley City Council meeting.

Mayor John Koniar said less than a year ago property owners in the unzoned parcels of land on the Foley Beach Express expressed an interest in being zoned in as a business district.

City Planner Miriam Boutwell said the mixed-use zoning, which is relatively flexible, was found desirable by the property owners.

A public hearing took place Monday evening, and no one was present to speak for or against the zoning. Each public hearing was opened and closed without a further word spoken.

The following properties are:

- 3.06 acres owned by J.M. Lee

- 1,382.30 acres owned by Springdale Stores, Inc. and Delaney Development, Inc.

- 1.56 acres owned by The Pantry, Inc.

- 2 acres owned by Veronica Herndon

- 4 acres owned by Pennstar, LLC

- 10 acres owned by Peace Lutheran Church of Baldwin

- 5 acres owned by Irene Brackner

In other city business:

Koniar announced that after speaking with BP officials, the amount currently being allocated to the city is above what the city initially estimated its damages were. He said the city estimated its losses were approximately $498,000, but BP said it was going to pay $561,000.

“It’s a pleasant surprise. We didn’t have to arm wrestle them,” Koniar said.

Police Chief David Wilson requested the city council approve the transfer of three vehicles from the U.S. Marshal’s Service. He said this service is being used as a means to curtail police spending on cars by accepting these previously seized vehicles, whether they be used as patrol or administrative vehicles.

Resolutions were passed unanimously by the council to accept a 1997 Honda Civic for $581, a 2002 Escalade for $2,001 and a 1994 Silverado.

They city council approved an agreement between the police department and the Baldwin County Commission to tie into the county’s fiber optic line, which would allow connectivity to the E-911 Call Center. This would allow for quicker and more efficient response to emergency calls. The agreement will cost the city $976.

The date for the city’s second meeting in January was changed from  Jan. 17 to Jan. 18, due to that Monday falling on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.