The Gulf Shores Planning Commission received two requests that could add 119 single-family homes in the city at its monthly meeting on July 28. Another request seeks a rezoning of property near the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.

All three of the requests were started by the applicants before city council voted on a moratorium on new housing developments in Gulf Shores while city officials develop a new strategic plan for the city's future. It went into effect on March 23 for 12 months with an option to halt the moratorium if the plan is completed before 12 months passes, or it can also extend the period if needed.

One of the developments would contain 93 homes in Raley Farms Phase 4 on 30.73 acres on Coastal Gateway Boulevard. Staff recommended approval with conditions including providing a maintenance surety for 150% of the engineer's estimate to build sidewalks around the ponds or $524,777. Completed phases one through three of Raley Farms contain 90, 108 and 109 lots, respectively.

A second request, Riva Estates on County Road 8 West, is a plan for 27 homes on 36 acres with the smallest buildable lot at just more than half an acre and the largest at 2.76 acres. Staff recommended approval with conditions including proper spacing of fire hydrants and paying a fee in lieu of building sidewalks on County Road 8 West and Grund lane.

The final request is to rezone 10.3 acres on the south side of Oak Road East across from the zoo. Applicant Kris Anderson seeks to rezone the property from agricultural to residential medium density. Staff recommended denial of the application citing uses "dissimilar to surrounding existing uses."