Cypress Point Project gets final approval

Published Originally by th eMobile Press Register

The Cypress Project north of Spanish Fort 'more compatible' with area after change, planning director says

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

By CRAIG MYERS
Staff Reporter

BAY MINETTE — Two months after it was pulled from the County Commission agenda and sent back for new public hearings, the Cypress Point project north of Spanish Fort received final approval Tuesday.

There was no discussion among commissioners before the rezoning and site plan were both approved 4-0.

The actions change the zoning from R2B to R6 (single family) and give the go-ahead to a plan calling for rustic cottages and one condo tower to replace the former all-condominium development proposal.


Planning Director Wayne Dyess said Tuesday the new plan is better suited for the site on Bay Minette Creek. The rezoning is tied to this specific project to provide the density needed to achieve the project revision.

"Staff has looked at this very carefully ... and we feel like this rezoning will help facilitate a development that will be more compatible and more in character with the area it sits in," Dyess said. "This has been discussed for quite some time."

The original plan in July 2006 featured 470 units in five condo towers ranging from six to 14 stories on the 98-acre site. Cypress Point will now feature 300 one- and two-story cottages elevated on piers, one 10-story, 100-unit condo, along with a restaurant, general store, dry boat storage and marina with space for 112 boats.

In June, and again last month, the Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. The contentious project had made it to the July 1 County Commission agenda before officials decided it needed to go back to the planning commission because of uncertainty as to whether the legal advertising requirements had been met.

Dyess said developer Pat James, son of former Gov. Fob James, is committed to preserving the unique environmental and historic features of the site just off Alabama 225. That includes several earthworks used in the Blakeley campaign of the Civil War in April 1865.

"We've worked on this for really the last 12 months to get to this point," James said. "We think we've addressed all the concerns and just want to thank you for your support."

Also on Tuesday, commissioners gave their final OK to an agreement with the Baldwin County Cattle & Fair Association to buy the Baldwin County Coliseum and 15 acres for $4.8 million.

The documents were approved at a special meeting held Friday in anticipation of using the facility for a shelter. After being ratified by Tuesday's vote, the agreement will be sent forward for closing in coming weeks.

The building was used for the first time as a storm shelter this weekend and Monday. That was one of the primary purposes for which it was built by the association using a combination of Federal Emergency Management Agency, state and local funds.

The coliseum can be used by the association for community events until it is activated by commissioners to house up to 3,200 evacuees short-term and about 2,000 longer term.

Nearly 260 people stayed in the shelter before it was closed Tuesday, said county Emergency Management Agency Director Leigh Anne Ryals.
Commissioner Wayne Gruenloh said he visited the shelter Monday and was impressed.

"It is a very fine facility and if we ever have a significant disaster in this area, that building will come in very, very handy and will serve our citizens well," he said.

Commission Chairman Frank Burt thanked the Cattle & Fair Association and its director, Sonny Hankins, for putting together the project.

"I hope we never need it to the extent to use it at its full capacity, but it is there," Burt said. "It is some kind of facility and we can be thankful."