Daphne residents have an upcoming opportunity to voice concern over or support for the annexation and zoning of what 68 Ventures aims to transform into the Rowan Oak development.

Public hearings are set for the June 17 council meeting where the land in question, 134.31 acres at the intersection of County Road 13 and Milton Jones Road, will be discussed. The project is a partnership with 68 V Baldwin Land Holdings LLC (a part of 68 Ventures) and landowners Sharon and John Boni, Sharon, Thomas and John Boni, Sharon Boni and Thelma Boni Estate.

The seven parcels are currently a mix of zoning classifications that include residential single-family estate, multiple-family, single-family residential and general business. The proposal requests the land be pre-zoned to Planned Unit Development (PUD).

Along with the rezoning request is a request to annex the 134.31 acres into the City of Daphne.

The Rowan Oak development project includes a mix of single-family residential subdivisions, a townhouse complex, apartment complex and commercial enterprises along Friendship Road. According to documents, the proposed development would include:

• 132 townhomes;
• 204 multi-family units;
• 258 home sites; and
• Parking for 1,510 vehicles across the entire development.

Gulf Coast Media previously reported on an east/west connection intended to ease congestion on County Road 64. The project is a collaboration between the Baldwin County Commission and City of Daphne. The project will connect Milton Jones Road to Pollard Road and add a roundabout on County Road 13 at Milton Jones Road.

The first step of the project was to secure the right of way. In December 2023, Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune told GCM, "We feel we can get some property owners to donate because it increases their property value by having a major road go through there where they can look for new businesses."

Part of the proposed Rowan Oak development includes several public benefits to the City of Daphne and its residents valued at $893,700. They include:

• Donation of an 80-foot public right of way (50 feet wide by others where necessary) to the City of Daphne for the extension of Milton Jones Road from County Road 13 to Friendship Road, valued at $214,200;
• Donation of sufficient right of way to the City of Daphne for the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of County Road 13 and Milton Jones Road;
• Developer will coordinate and provide capital for surveying and engineering services for the Milton Jones Road extension, valued at $144,500;
• Developer to provide design and construction of improvements at the intersection of Friendship Road and County Road 64, valued at $300,000;
• Donation of a 1.8-acre parcel to the City of Daphne for a public park, valued at $95,000;
• Construction by the developer of two pickleball courts within the future public park, valued at $140,000; and
• Annexation of 11.61 acres of commercial property for a potential tax revenue of approximately $535,821.71 annually.

OTHER ZONING PROPOSALS

There are several pre-zoning and annexation items in the pipeline for Daphne.

The second reading of an ordinance to pre-zone and annex 5 acres northeast of County Road 64 and Alabama Hwy. 181, owned by the Estate of Georgianne Simms, was tabled until the May 20 city council meeting. The table request came from the property owners.

The property, which is currently zoned by Baldwin County as B-3, general business, is requesting the property be annexed into the City of Daphne and given pre-zones B-2, general business alternate.

Two pre-zoning and annexation requests upcoming at the May 23 planning commission meeting may also be of interest to Daphne residents. Both items were on the April 25 agenda but were tabled by the applicant.

The first is a request to pre-zone and annex 164.43 acres southeast of the intersection of Hwy. 90 and County Road 13 and northeast of the intersection of Champions Way and County Road 13. The applicant is requesting the property, which is currently zoned B-1, professional business and RSF-1, residential single family, be zoned Planned Unit Development, or PUD. The property is owned by Malbis Plantation Inc.

The second request is to pre-zone and annex 175.21 acres southeast of the intersection of Milton Jones Road and Alabama Hwy. 181. The property is owned by Bertolla Properties LLC, YOTA Properties LLC, Frederick G. and Thomas Boni and Sharon and John Christopher Boni.

The property is currently zoned RSF-E, residential single-family estate, RSF-3, residential single family and B-3, general business, in Baldwin County. The request is to pre-zone the property as a PUD.

Both items will be on the May 23 planning commission agenda unless they are tabled again. The Daphne Planning Commission meets at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 1705 Main St., Daphne.