Growth Shouldn't Come at the Expense of Property Owners

September 2026

Baldwin County needs economic growth. New businesses, new investment, and new opportunities can strengthen our tax base and create opportunities for the next generation.

But I believe we can support growth while also protecting the people who already call Baldwin County home.

Over the past several months, land-use issues have made that especially clear. Large-scale projects such as rock quarries, industrial developments, data centers, and solar farms can have impacts that extend well beyond the property where they are located.

Traffic, noise, dust, lighting, water usage, utility infrastructure, road damage, and proximity to homes all deserve consideration before—not after—a project is approved.

Property Rights Work Both Ways

I strongly believe in private property rights.

But property rights don't stop at one property line. A homeowner who has invested his or her life savings in a home or land has property rights too.

When an intensive industrial use is proposed next to homes, farms, or established neighborhoods, county government should have reasonable standards in place to consider the effects on surrounding property owners.

We Need Better Planning

Baldwin County currently has a Land Use Code with standards governing development and certain intensive uses. But recent proposals have demonstrated why I believe we need a more comprehensive approach to planning and zoning.

That doesn't mean stopping development or telling people they cannot use their property.

It means establishing reasonable expectations about where different types of development belong and creating a predictable process for property owners, developers, and the community.

Good planning gives everyone more certainty.

Put the Right Development in the Right Place

A project can be good for Baldwin County and still be wrong for a particular location.

Industrial development should be encouraged in areas with appropriate infrastructure and transportation access. Large projects should be evaluated for their effects on nearby residents, roads, utilities, water resources, noise, lighting, and public services.

When necessary, reasonable conditions such as setbacks, buffers, operating-hour restrictions, traffic plans, environmental protections, and financial assurances should be considered to protect neighboring properties and taxpayers.

The goal isn't to make development impossible. The goal is to make development responsible.

Plan Before the Next Project Arrives

Land-use policy shouldn't be written in response to whichever controversial project happens to come along next.

We should decide what we want Baldwin County to look like 10, 20, and 30 years from now and put reasonable rules in place before the next major proposal arrives.

We can welcome investment, protect property rights, preserve our rural communities and neighborhoods, and grow our tax base at the same time.

But doing that requires planning.

Growth should make Baldwin County better—not simply bigger.

A Better Baldwin Starts Here.