DAPHNE, Ala. — The Planning Commission Thursday unanimously approved the renewal of Phase I development of the 155-lot French Settlement subdivision on County Road 13.

Commissioner Larry Chason abstained from the vote; Chason and Earle Realty will handle the project’s sales.

The approval requires the developer to build a second entrance, using 36 feet of common area, at the southern boundary before Phase II construction can begin.

“It needs to be a right of way and not just a street through a common area,” Chairman Ed Kirby said.

He added that upon original master plan approval, in August 2007, a traffic study recommended construction of a right of way.

David Diehl, representing Engineering Development Services, agreed that a right-turn lane would improve traffic and safety conditions but said it would cost $250,000 to build.

He added that the street would serve the remaining 31 lots set for Phase II construction but it would primarily be used for emergency and city sanitation vehicles to loop.

All but 12 of the lots, those not bought by private owners, had been foreclosed upon and purchased by Central Progressive Bank of Louisiana.

When asked if the plans could be changed to extend the common area, Diehl said he didn’t think that was likely because, “as part of the foreclosure, the previous consultant was not paid for his services.

“We don’t feel comfortable — I don’t know if we’re even able — to edit or modify the plat,” he said.

Diehl went before the commission Thursday to seek affirmation for a connecting street to be built between Felicity Lane and French Settlement Drive.

In order to meet city requirements, Kirby said the developers need to add another foot to the connecting street’s proposed 11-foot lanes; the city requires 12-foot-wide street lanes.

In other business, commissioners:

•Approved construction of Genesis Career College at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Wilson Avenue on lots two and seven.

The commission also approved a site plan to add 28 parking spaces.

When asked about reported pond issues, Diehl, said “we’re going to remove the trees and shrubbery from the pond.”

The vegetation removal will create a second pond or, if developers choose, one large pond, where stormwater can run off the impervious surface.

Genesis Career College is a cosmetology school.

•Upon the city attorney’s recommendation, denied an exemption to city Land Use and Development Regulations on a recently purchased parcel by Zyron Reed regarding an existing subdivision.

Reed’s portion of the property, located on Marie Lane, went into foreclosure after the original owner was sentenced to jail.

A bank then subdivided the property without city approval, according to Reed.

Kirby said Reed must submit an application for subdivision to the city.

Reed requested an exemption because he said it would be a private property.

“I’m not a developer,” he said. “I’m not opening a business; I just want to live on it.”

•Unanimously approved a site plan for Colony Boats, a .7-acre site, zoned B-2, General Business, located southwest of the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Randall Avenue.

•Unanimously approved subdivision of 3.8-acre property on the west side of Main Street across from Chateauguay subdivision.

The property, zoned R-2, Medium-Density Single-Family Residential, is owned by the Bain family.

The commission also approved the subdivision of a 2.7-acre site, northeast of the intersection of Beall Avenue and Old County Road.

The property, also zoned R-2, is owned by the Huey family.

•Gave a favorable recommendation for the annexation of a 14.8-acre parcel, with B-1, Local Business, zoning located southeast of the intersection of County Road 64 and Friendship Road.

The property, owned by AJD Family Limited Partnership, is currently zoned B-1 and B-2.