Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Gulf Shores is looking at expanding the Walking Area Overlay District in the area near the intersection of Beach Boulevard and State Route 59, or Gulf Shores Parkway. The city began working on a walking district after designating the area in 2005. This move would add 152 properties to the district and remove 14 others.

The city’s planning commission will take up the request at its regular meeting on Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

“The Walking Area Overlay District was intended to provide supplemental provisions for development within the blocks around the intersection of Gulf Shores Parkway and Beach Boulevard and to transform this area into a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly downtown,” a memo from planner Andy Bauer states. “The redevelopment of the area around the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Gulf Shores Parkway into a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use district has long been a goal of the City’s. The Walking Area Overlay District only allows residential and lodging uses in mixed-use buildings Zoning Text Amendment – Walking Area Overlay District and the Official Zoning Map of which a minimum of 10 percent of the ground level is reserved for commercial use.”

According to the memo, the 14 properties to be removed are located on East First Avenue and East Second Avenue and “redeveloped with single-family or duplex uses, are a part of the established subdivision lot and block pattern, and less likely to be redeveloped.” Staff will recommend approval.

During the meeting, the commission will also discuss:

• An ordinance to “amend and clarify” rules concerning vocational rental signage in the city. Staff will recommend approval.
• Approval of a conditional use permit to allow for beach access to a 17-unit cottage development planned on the north side of West Beach Boulevard at 975 West Lagoon Avenue. The lot has road frontage on both streets. Staff will approve with conditions.
• Splitting one lot into two in Bon Secour Village South. The parcel is on Chastain Street and abuts the Intracoastal Waterway on the north bank. There is another request in Bon Secour Village South to split a lot into two. This applicant also seeks to split a lot into two parcels and it also abuts the waterway.  This request is three parcels west of the first request. Staff will recommend approval on both of these requests.
• Approving splitting a lot into two parcels at 217 W. Lagoon Ave. Staff will recommend approval.
• A request from staff to make changes to the rules on zoning for properties annexed into the city.
• Setting the meeting dates and deadlines for submitting requests for the planning commission in 2026.