The Gulf Shores Planning Commission will take up a proposed zoning text amendment on July 22 that could reshape how parking is managed in the city’s Waterway Village Overlay District. The measure is designed to support compact, pedestrian-oriented development by expanding options for shared and off-site parking. Officials say the amendment reflects the city’s effort to balance growth with walkability and strategic infrastructure investment.

The Waterway Village Overlay was originally crafted to foster a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood where residents and visitors can easily reach local businesses and community amenities. In response to increased activity and limited on-site parking, a committee of planning commissioners, city council members, and staff developed proposed changes to the district’s parking code.

Key provisions in the proposed amendment include:

• Expanded credit distance: The allowable distance for public parking credits would increase from 750 feet to 1,320 feet (a quarter-mile), giving businesses greater flexibility to rely on nearby public parking facilities without having to build their own on-site spaces.
  
  
• On-street parking allowance: Businesses would be permitted to count paved, accessible on-street parking within 200 feet of their property—provided it does not require crossing a major road and does not conflict with fire access standards.
  
  
• Public parking credit purchases: Businesses could purchase parking credits from the City for spaces in public lots or garages within the expanded 1,320-foot zone. In some cases, up to 100% of a project’s parking requirement could be met through these credits, depending on use and approval. Funds generated would be reinvested into improving public parking infrastructure in the area.
  
  
• On-site minimums for high-impact uses: Restaurants, bars, and lodging would still be required to provide at least 50% of their parking on-site unless the Planning Commission grants a waiver through a formal review process.
  
  
• Formalized shared parking options: The amendment would also codify the use of shared or remote parking agreements between businesses, allowing for more collaborative approaches to parking demand.
  
  

If adopted, the amendment would represent a notable shift in how the city manages growth in one of its most active and evolving commercial districts. If approved by the Commission, ZTA25-03 will advance to the City Council for final consideration.

Also on the July 22 Planning Commission agenda:

• Raley Farm Subdivision Phases 5 & 6 Preliminary Plat (ZA25-000026)
  
• David Kelly Annexation Pre-zone (ZA25-000028)
  
• Goodwin Subdivision Preliminary Plat (ZA25-000025)
  
• Retreat at Bon Secour PUD Amendment (ZA25-000021) – Public Hearing
  
• Kelly Rezone (ZA25-000027) – Public Hearing
  
• Subdivision Regulation Amendment (SDR25-01) – Public Hearing
  
• Open forum for public comment on non-agenda items
  
• Staff communications and other business
  
  

The Planning Commission meeting is open to the public and scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Gulf Shores City Hall.