GULF SHORES — A proposal for a parking study for Waterway Village, between The Sloop and Acme Oyster House, sparked resident comment at the June 2 Gulf Shores City Council work session.

Gulf Shores Planning Director Scott Stephens presented the agenda item, which was unanimously approved at the June 9 council meeting. He said the study will analyze current parking conditions, evaluate current parking needs and determine future needs.

After the item was presented at the June 2 work session, a resident, who did not introduce himself, asked why the study is needed when "we all know what you're going to do."

"You want the restaurants and the bars and everything," he said. "Why don't you go ahead and build a parking deck now instead of waiting? Why do we have to play catch-up all the time? … We're going to need a parking facility down there because it's a joke already."

The longtime resident said the city and residents needed to work to "make our town pleasurable again."

"I actually love our tourists … I enjoy people enjoying themselves on our island," he said, "but we need to make it pleasurable, and we need to get rid of those damn orange cones real quick."

No one responded to his questions and comments, and he was the only attendee to speak before the council on the subject.

Before the item was opened to the public for questions, Mayor Robert Craft said the study would provide a "strategy there to improve parking." He said he is looking forward to the "growth potential" of the new pedestrian bridge and this "district off the beach."

Stephens, the city's planning director, said the study will look at the current state of parking in area, how many cars are parking there and for how long. The study will also ensure the area's current needs are being met and plan for the next five, 10 and 20 years.

"This project is going to be important for a lot of different reasons, but I think as we design and we envision a Waterway District, you've got to have parking," the mayor said. "And this, what we're doing now, probably won't be as much as we need as it stimulates more growth and more businesses and activities over there, which I'm sure will happen."

The "geographic area of the study" is around 250 acres. Stephens said the study spans beyond the Waterway Village Zoning Overlay District and stretches across the Intracoastal Waterway. It is bound to the north by East 29th Avenue, bound to the south by East 20th Avenue, bound to the west by West 1st Street and bound to the east by East 4th Street.

"We will be seeking out stakeholder groups to include residents, property owners, business owners, elected officials, appointed officials, so just be on the lookout," Stephens said. "We will be reaching out to folks who live, work, own property within the subject area."

After the study is complete, Stephens said the city will receive recommendations for "how to improve the parking situation" in Waterway Village. He said these recommendations could entail zoning ordinance amendments, model partnerships and new wayfinding/signage.

According to resolution documents, the study will be conducted by Kimley-Horn at a cost not to exceed $72,625. The study will take five to six months.

"The vision for this district is to be a neighborhood center rich with goods, services and recreation opportunities for residents and visitors," the agenda item said on Waterway Village.