Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Developers are looking to add 72 vacation rental units at the Gulf Shores Golf Club in a request set to come before the Gulf Shores Planning Commission at its March meeting. Plans call for using just over eight acres near the course entrance. City staff will recommend denial of the request.

The commission will meet on March 24 at 4 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.

“The proposed PUD would not have a positive relationship with the surrounding neighborhood,” a staff report states. “The city has previously established areas that allow short-term rental use. The Gulf Shores Golf Club Course is in an area of the city that only allows owner-occupied and long-term rentals. Short-term rentals can cause significant neighborhood issues by creating noise, parking, and safety issues.”

Golf course officials are seeking a change to the planned unit development of the 175-acre golf complex to allow the 72 units to be built on the remaining, currently empty 8.64 acres surrounding the clubhouse. Part of the new development will back up to homes on Clubhouse Drive.

“The houses will be designed like the cottages within the West Beach Cottage Subdivision and will be two stories over pilings,” a staff report states. “The elevated height of the cottages will allow views of the vistas and amenities of the totally restored golf course. A pool, bathroom, small parks, and the golf course are offered as amenities to future residents.”

Other staff concerns include changing the density from the allowable 30 units to 72 and traffic impact, among others, cited in the report. 

Related: See the entire report here.

During the meeting, the commission will also:

• Consider a final subdivision plat at 6951 Grund Lane to split two lots into one. Staff will recommend approval. Grund Lane is located west of State Route 59 and north of County Road 8 West.