City of Fairhope Special City Council Meeting April 20, 2026

The City of Fairhope held a Special City Council Meeting on April 20, 2026, primarily focused on proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance. Key procurement-related discussions included zoning changes affecting residential and commercial districts, with particular attention to single-family, two-family, townhomes, multifamily, and mixed-use developments. The council addressed concerns about removing residential uses from certain commercial zones (B1, B2, B4) and the implications for non-conforming properties, property rights, and future development potential. There was extensive public and council dialogue on balancing growth management, quality of life, and housing affordability, with some emphasis on parking requirements and density limits. The meeting also covered procedural aspects such as site plan review requirements for specific uses including mixed-use buildings and automobile service stations, and impervious surface limitations aimed at stormwater management. No formal votes or contract awards were recorded during this session, but the council indicated ongoing work and future meetings to refine the zoning ordinance amendments. The discussion highlighted the complexity of zoning reform and its impact on development, infrastructure, and community planning goals.