DAPHNE, Ala.—The city held a public hearing to discuss the rezoning of property northwest of the intersection of Anchor Cross Boulevard and U.S. Highway 90 from B-2 business district to R-4, high density multi-family residential.

The rezoning issue came before the council without a recommendation from the planning commission. The commission did not have enough votes in favor or against the rezoning of the property.

Plans for the property include an apartment complex with rents ranging from $750 to $1,100 each month.

Members of the planning commission and the council opposed the rezoning with hope the area still held potential for further commercial development. Commissioners Cathy Barnette and Victoria Phelps were not in favor of rezoning the property, citing the fact that the rezoning will not fit in with the comprehensive plan in place for the area.

Five commissioners voted against the rezoning and four commissioners voted to rezone the property, but a majority was needed to make a recommendation to the council.

Council members also voiced their concerns regarding the rezoning of the property, which is near the Mobile Infirmary’s Cancer Center.

“Major objection was the fact that we have a future land use map which designates the area as commercial, not residential. Some of the planning commissioners felt they were not ready to give up that commercial corridor. They felt that area was still viable for commercial,” Adrienne Jones, with the planning department, said. 

Only one resident spoke out at the public hearing.

Dane Haygood, a resident of TimberCreek, was in favor of rezoning the property to increase the commercial value of the area.

“Revisit the comprehensive plan. I think it is a very appropriate use for the area … additional density will encourage additional retail to be built in the area, Haygood said.

The council will vote on the rezoning of the property at a later council meeting.