Voters Won't Create Appointed Zoning Board

Though opponents of the proposal had mobilized many in the community to vote down the proposition, they say they are not opposed to creating a zoning and planning district. Rather, the proposal's opponents hope the next attempt at bringing zoning to the community will include an elected governing board.

"If the referendum had passed, it would have created a planning and zoning board that would be able to control development in the Fowl River area in much the same way a city planning department can -- from saying how high a building can be to restricting where stores and homes can be built."

Proponents of the bill blame its loss to low-voter turnout and lack of publicity.

"The vote failed 339-655, according to Probate Judge Don Davis. There are 2,728 registered voters in the district, meaning voter turnout was 36.4 percent. By comparison, about 30 percent of voters throughout Mobile County cast ballots in the June primaries."

"Backers of the referendum, including the Fowl River Area Civic Association, said they will try to create a zoning district again but with more input from their neighbors."