SPANISH FORT, Ala. — City planners signed off Monday on plans for a proposed athletic field house at Spanish Fort High School but included a few suggestions to help contain future cost overruns.

The site plan, submitted by the Baldwin County Board of Education for courtesy review, adheres to state building codes rather than city regulations. Planning commissioners opted to include a list of suggestions for items falling outside their authority but that could ultimately help trim costs, should the project expand.

At issue is the commission’s review of final architectural drawings submitted by Paul Carpenter Davis Architecture for the facility that will create a weight room, restrooms and locker facilities for both male and female athletes. It will be constructed adjacent to the football field between the fence and parking area.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike McMillan, who serves as the city’s liaison on the project, said the school system would like to consider the item at its Aug. 2 meeting, necessitating Monday’s called meeting of the Planning Commission to address the issue.

Building Official Bruce Renkert said his primary concern with the site plan as submitted was the lack of an outlined mechanism for controlling potential “seriously high volume” drainage off the side of the building as designed.

“We already have drainage issues on that site, so something needs to be done to collect the water coming off the roof,” Renkert said.

In addition, commissioners suggested the board consider incorporating the following features to its final site plan:

• Urinals should be removed from the locker room earmarked for female athletes and more stalls added.
• A larger hot-water tank should be considered to accommodate high-volume usage, especially if concessions are added in the future.
• Considering the recent rise in copper thefts, the air-conditioning units need to be clearly protected within the site plan’s fencing structure.
• Control joints should be added to the slab to prevent cracking.
• Exterior lighting needs to be improved to address safety concerns.
• The number of showers in the locker rooms needs to be increased.
• The locations of the fire hydrant and electrical wiring box need to be clearly identified.
• Utility “stubouts” need to be included in the initial plans to accommodate future growth, especially if concessions are part of the long-range plan.
• Although parking does not need to be increased because volume is not expected to increase with the addition of the facility, two or three existing parking spaces need to be marked for handicapped parking, considering the structure is handicapped-accessible.

Commissioner J.R. Smith said the suggestions are being submitted as a courtesy to not only improve safety but to help control costs should the facility be expanded.

“I’d rather see $200 paid now for something than have to pay three or four times that later,” he said. “I think we ought to also point out the things we see as lacking.”

Smith was elected commission chairman pro tem during the called meeting in the absence of both Chairman Carl Nelson and Vice Chairman Bernard Davis.

The recommendation for approval with suggestions included was approved in a 7 to 0 vote.

McMillan said if approved, ground could be broken on the project as early as mid-August.

The city’s financial responsibility for the project is capped at $400,000 with SFHS boosters committed to absorbing any cost overruns.