SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The Planning Commission will not take action on the city’s proposed Comprehensive Plan until at least March.

Commission Chairman Carl Nelson said during Monday’s informal work session although nothing prevents the body from taking action immediately following the continued public hearing on the subject during the Feb. 14 meeting, he is not comfortable rushing the decision.

“We probably should take a couple of weeks to digest the public comments, discuss it at the (Feb. 28) work session and then vote on it at the March meeting,” Nelson said.

Only one resident, Nancy Milford, spoke when the public hearing was convened at the January meeting. Former Spanish Fort city engineer Ronnie Gibson, who was unable to attend, submitted his comments that dealt largely with development along the Causeway, drainage and preservation measures via e-mail.

At issue is the adoption of a long-range blueprint for how to best manage the city’s anticipated growth and development over the next 15 years. Mayor Joe Bonner said the drafting process has taken six years.

Commissioner Tom Sawyer, who also represents District 4 on the City Council, said considering how long the plan has been in the works, immediate adoption is the best course of action for residents.

“We’ve substantially got a plan that can be changed or amended at any point moving forward. We need to stop it, adopt it and move forward,” Sawyer said.

Nelson was adamant, however, that any public input received during the Feb. 14 public hearing need is to be given the same weight as those already received before any action is taken.

City Attorney David Conner said if public input results in any “substantive” changes to the document beyond minor language alterations, the document will need to be revised and the public hearing process will need to be repeated before any action is taken by the commission.

Bonner also cautioned commissioners not to put anything in writing within the plan that could “put a future council in a precarious situation.”

Specifically, Bonner said the commission needs to be mindful in its process not to “encumber” a future mayor or council with an unmanageable financial burden.

Nelson said goals outlined in the plan certainly don’t equal “mandates,” but rather spell out intentions for controlled and responsible growth.

In other business the commission:

• Discussed a preliminary and final re-subdivision plat request for Phase 1 of Savannah Woods at the northeast corner of Lee Road Lodgerpole Court.
• Discussed a site plan request for a proposed office building on Jay Drive to house an electrician’s operations.
• Announced the next regular meeting the Planning Commission will begin at 6:30 p.m. at The Gathering Place following a 6 p.m. informal work session.
• Announced an informal work session will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 in the conference room of City Hall.