FOLEY – Foley’s Community Development Department has released its annual report for fiscal year 2016/17, and the information was presented to the city council during the Oct 16 meeting.
“Fiscal Year 2016/17 showed significant increases over the previous year … We are forecasting FY 2017/18 to continue this trend,” Community Development Director Miriam Boutwell wrote in the report.
The report shows percentage increases in many vital areas of community development.
Residential permits have witnessed a 17 percent increase from the previous fiscal year, going from 249 to 291.
Permits have increased 23 percent, with 1,947 in fiscal year 15/16 and 2,402 in 16/17.

There has been a 26 percent increase in inspections, of which there were 10,137 during the 16/17 FY, up from 8,064 last year.
Fees collected have gone up from $625,542 during 15/16 to $1,187,789 in 16/17, up 90 percent.
Valuations have shown the greatest percentage increase, going from $55,809,640 during the 15/16 FY to $150,572,520, a 170 percent increase.
Totals less OWA and public projects would be:

• Total Valuation: $70,317,927.32
• Fees: $640,317
• Permits: 2,098
• Inspections: 10,040

The Census Bureau estimated Foley to have an estimated population of 17,607 in 2016, and to further the sustainability and resiliency of the city, the Building Code ordinance was upgraded and the CDD rewrote the Zoning Ordinance.
“We also encourage contractors to build to a higher standard,” Boutwell included in the report. “As of October 31, 2016, Foley was ranked #4 out of 21 states with a total of 274 fortified homes. Alabama ranks #1 out of 21 states. We are a strong supporter of fortified home which is a set of engineering and building standards designed to help strengthen new and existing homes through specific building upgrades.”
During the 16/17 FY, six new commercial subdivisions came to the city, totaling 143 acres with 21 lots. There were ten new residential subdivisions built, totaling 200 acres with 566 lots.
Of the permits the CDD handled for the 2016/17 FY, 590 were for residential properties, both single-family and multi-family. A total of 78 permits were given to new commercial properties, 87 permits for additions and remodels on existing commercial property, and 4 permits for businesses operating within Tanger Outlets. With 51 permits for commercial miscellaneous and 93 permits for signs, the total for commercial property permits came to 313.
Public Projects for the 2016/17 FY included the Foley Event Center, signs for Foley Sports Tourism and the Event Center, and electrical, mechanical, and plumbing projects.
“We are proud to provide good customer service to our citizens,” Boutwell stated. “We look forward to another exciting year!”