SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Plans for the first subdivision to be built in The Highlands of Spanish Fort were presented Tuesday to the Planning Commission.

A sketch plat review for Stone Brook subdivision was submitted by developers. Plans have been reviewed by officials for The Highlands, and the criteria have been met, Building Official Bruce Renkert said. It will consist of single family housing on small lots near Bromley Road and Jimmy Faulkner Drive. Trey Jinright, P.E., with Jade Consulting on behalf of Stonebrook, L.L.C., said the subdivision will consist of 250 units on under 80 acres. In other planning commission news:

• Due to holiday constrictions, a notice for a public hearing for the final subdivision plat approval for Cambrom Subdivision Phase II was unable to be sent out, Renkert said.

One item to be discussed is the clearing of the retention pond and whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should monitor it for the next 12 months.

A motion was passed to postpone public hearing until the next special or regular meeting.

• Baldwin County Sewer Service gave the city a large color plat to show mains and pump stations for review of possible sewer service expansion.

John Avent, an official with Engineering and Development Services, said BCSS had fulfilled their franchise agreement l00 percent. Avent requested that BCSS be informed when property is annexed into the city.

Commissioner Maura Dismuke said she felt uncomfortable voting because she felt the residents should be given the option to choose between a sewer or septic system. Commissioner J. R. Smith stated that the information had been received at the “eleventh hour,” and should have been presented at the last meeting so the commission would have time to think about it.

Avent said that character, location and intent has been fulfilled, but a decision could wait until the next meeting.Commissioners voted to postpone the matter until the next special or regular meeting.

• A public hearing was held for rezoning from B-3 to M-1 on behalf of Marine Speciality for lot 12 at the I-10 Commerce Center. Marine Speciality is currently under contract to purchase the lot from Spanish Trail Investments.

Tom Kelly with Marine Speciality said that this is for a business which assembles equipment and is industrial wholesale but not marine equipment.

Commissioner Kevin Diamond asked for a description of truck traffic. Kelly said there would be loading docks with tractor trailer traffic once or twice a day and some freight traffic.

Smith recommended the zoning change be contingent upon the proposed use within six months or it would revert back to original zoning.

• A public hearing was held regarding an application for a preliminary PUD in Shadow Creek subdivision, North of Bromley Road, approximately 0.8 miles west of the intersection of Bromley Road and D’Olive Road.

Developer Nathan Cox requested permission to construct duplexes with single family homes with zero setbacks.

It will consist of 264 lots. City Engineer Martin Pitts made the recommendation to have alleyways or rear entrances and diversity of appearance.

Cox said that not one of the units will look the same, and he wants affordable price points.

Cox has proposed that there will be four units in a building on an acre with five feet between units.

Cox said that 18 acres out of 65 acres will not be developed. Ronald Gibson, a resident who lives on Bay Minette Creek, said the city could consider asking for some amenities for the PUD and that the type of homes built need to be guaranteed. Commissioners voted in favor of approving the preliminary plans.

• Construction of a proposed water tower was presented by the Spanish Fort Water Company.

“Spanish Fort is growing and we’re trying to keep up with it.” President Neil McPhail of the Board of the Spanish Fort Water System said.

Since the planning commission was unable to notify the public of a public hearing, a special meeting will be held on Dec. 18 at City Hall at 6 p.m.

• With the amendment of a zoning ordinance regarding sewer and septic tank systems, Dismuke said she would like for citizens to have the option of choosing sewer or septic tanks systems, especially since there are newer septic tank systems.

Chairman Carl Nelson said that just about everybody wants sewer.

“Large parcels need an option,” Commissioner Kevin Diamond said.

Because of sanitary reasons and a high failure rate for septic tanks, Commissioner Wanda Finch said she feels the city is taking a step backward. Amending the zoning ordinance will be discussed at a special meeting on Dec. 18 at City Hall at 6 p.m.

• The Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. at City Hall to discuss three items: The final subdivision for plat review for Cambrom Subdivision; construction of a proposed water tower near the I-10 Commerce Center; and the zoning ordinance amendment for sewer and septic systems.

The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission work session and meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, at 6 p.m., at the Gathering Place.

An end-of-month work session will be held on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, at 6 p.m., in the Conference Room at City Hall.