SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Plans for a proposed Publix Super Market passed the first hurdle Monday night when the Planning Commission recommended approval for both the developer’s subdivision request and site plan.

If approved by the City Council, property owner J. David Foshee Jr. and developer Charlie Trotman—who formed I-10/181 LLC for execution of the project—will sell the roughly 9-acre lot north of Eastern Shore Drive and west of Eastern Shore Boulevard to the Lakeland, Fla.-based supermarket chain. The 54,817-square-foot structure will be constructed just north of Belk in Phase 5 of the Eastern Shore Centre.

Commissioners did voice concerns that the 275-space parking lot would benefit from the addition of green space and at least one additional cart-collection area, and the motions were approved contingent on the concerns being passed along to Publix officials. Screening of a trash compactor and lighting were also discussed in detail.

Commissioner Maura Dismuke also raised concerns about the proposed landscaping plans introducing non-indigenous plant species to the area, including at least one known to be “invasive” to existing species.

Engineering consultant David Rawson, who works for Birmingham-based Gonzalez Strength and Associates Inc. and was hired by the developer, said he would pass along the formal concerns raised by the commission, but he issued a cautious warning.

See the rest of this story in the July 14 Spanish Fort Sun.