Gulf Shores approves new mixed-use development

By: Crystal Cole/ Islander Editor
Posted 12/15/17

The City of Gulf Shores approved a conditional use permit for a mixed-use building where the current Surf Style sits at the end of Hwy 59.

The applicant proposes to demolish the existing Surf …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Gulf Shores approves new mixed-use development

Posted

The City of Gulf Shores approved a conditional use permit for a mixed-use building where the current Surf Style sits at the end of Hwy 59.

The applicant proposes to demolish the existing Surf Style located at 101 West Beach Boulevard in order to develop a three-story mixed use building consisting of 9,680 square feet of retail area and a maximum 14 condominium units.

The conditional use permit is necessary to utilize space the applicant owns as a remote, 66-space parking area.

Andy Bauer, Planning Director, said this would be the first mixed-use building proposed in the walking district of the city.

“When we passed the Vision Gulf Shores zoning regulations 10 years ago, it was really to encourage this area of the city to develop into a pedestrian-friendly, walkable, mixed-use downtown area,” Bauer said. “This building also embraces the pedestrian-friendly design by locating the building so it’s easily accessible to pedestrians. It really shows the priority from vehicular traffic to pedestrian traffic.”

Mayor Robert Craft said the project was unique and the city had been working with the applicant for a while.

“We wanted them to understand our goals for the area so they could help us accomplish that,” Craft said. “This is lower-density than the number of units that could go by right within the ordinance. It’s a more mixed-use, lower profile, more attractive building that will add to our vision of that area.”

Also approved at the meeting were:

-License Agreement between Baldwin County and the City of Gulf Shores for the

County Road 6 and Hwy 59 Intersection Improvements. It authorized the mayor to sign the license agreement authorizing the city to make the improvements within the right of way at the intersection of County Road 6 and Hwy 59. Improvements were authorized to the intersection of County Road 6 and Hwy 59 to accommodate existing and future traffic demands generated by the Sportsplex, existing and proposed development and tourism. The design of this project has been completed and the construction contract awarded. As portions of this work are located within Baldwin County right of way, a license agreement is required between the county and the city allowing the city to install these improvements. The attached license agreement has been provided by the Baldwin County Highway Department for signature by the mayor.

-Awarding Christmas decorations bid to Temple Display in an amount not to exceed $24,000. On November 27, the city opened bids for Christmas decorations. Once the unit prices were applied to the requested quantities, Temple Display was the lowest conforming bidder with a bid amount of $22,780. Staff recommended awarding contract in an amount not to exceed $24,000.

-Award fire alarm monitoring and testing contract for one year to be renewed

annually for two additional years to Simplex Grinnell in an amount not to exceed $9,114.00 annually.