FAIRHOPE, Alabama—Two county zoning complaints have been filed against the owners of Dorgan’s Inn, alleging a non-permitted business is being operated on that residential property.

Owned by William and Patricia Dorgan, the Point Clear property gained notoriety this year as a primary film location for “Sweet Home Alabama,” Country Music Television’s top-rated series of the year.  

In an article last month, The Fairhope Courier reported that cast members of the second-season, which starts Oct. 20, were staying at Dorgan’s Inn, and that increased business activity at the location had galvanized a growing local opposition to the site for its alleged zoning law violations.

“The Dorgans operate an extremely active and varied commercial business, including wedding events, television/film productions, dinners, luncheons, parties and reunions,” a complaint filed Sept. 26 by the Point Clear Property Owners Association states. “The frequency and number of attendees at these events has increased significantly within the last several years.”

Albert Key, a Point Clear resident and retired attorney, also filed a complaint last week with the county planning and zoning department. His more detailed nine-page document requests that the county issue a notice of violation against the Dorgans for not complying with the zoning requirements of their residential property.

Fairhope attorney James Dorgan, who represents the Dorgans, has not returned several phone calls and emails seeking comment for this and related stories.

In August, a county zoning board denied the Dorgans request for bed-and-breakfast status at their Point Clear property. A hearing scheduled Monday to consider whether to grant their request for a rehearing of that decision has been cancelled.

“We will investigate the issues that are alleged in the complaint, and we will respond,” county planning director Vince Jackson said this week. “In this case there are a number of issues that have been raised.”