Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) —  Virtus Lands LLC has submitted site plans through EDG Engineering to construct four commercial buildings, known as the Holt Flex Buildings, on a vacant lot at the corner of Northshore Street and Landward Drive South. The proposed commercial site sits on General Business (BG)- zoned land and is bisected by a regional drainage ditch. To navigate the terrain, the plans include two separate entrances off Landward Drive South and Northshore.

The Gulf Shores Planning Commission will consider the proposal this afternoon, Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 4 PM. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Commissioners will vote on the site plan and hold a public hearing to recommend updates to the city's zoning ordinance.

Developers plan to construct a 6-foot sidewalk along Landward Drive South to connect with an existing sidewalk, as well as a 10-foot multiuse pathway along Northshore Street. The project preserves an existing 60-inch Heritage Live Oak tree within a 22-foot Class C landscape buffer along the property's western boundary. City staff recommends approval of the site plan.

Commission To Hear Home Occupation Zoning Changes

Commissioners will also hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to Section 11-5 of the city's Zoning Ordinance to update home business regulations to reflect modern employment trends. U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that local work-from-home rates in Gulf Shores increased from 3.4% in the 2006–2010 American Community Survey to 19.8% in recent 5-year estimates. Proposed updates to the ordinance would allow residents to operate more than one home business out of a single residential dwelling unit and accept standard signed authorization letters from property owners rather than requiring notarized consent. Existing operational restrictions—including limiting total business floor area to 20% of the main building (up to 500 square feet), restricting business employment exclusively to residing family members, and prohibiting direct on-site retail sales—will remain fully in effect.

Proposed updates to the home occupation ordinance include:

• Allowing residents to operate more than one home business out of a single residential dwelling unit.
• Removing the requirement for non-owner applicants to submit a notarized permission letter from property owners, and accepting a standard signed letter instead.
• Capping total home business floor area at 20% of the main building, up to 500 square feet.
• Restricting business employment exclusively to family members who reside in the dwelling.
• Prohibiting direct on-site retail sales, excluding remote sales by phone, mail, or internet, and items permitted under the Alabama Cottage Food Law.

During the meeting, the commission will also:

• Review and approve official minutes from the August 25, 2026, regular meeting.
• Receive operational communications and project updates from city planning staff.