City of Gulf Shores Comprehensive Plan

The City hopes to develop a Comprehensive Plan that builds on the City's Vision 2035 Plan and looks to the future in a holistic and sustainable manner.



The city is seeking a multidisciplinary consultant team to develop a detailed Comprehensive Plan and Mobility Plan Element. The Comprehensive Plan is envisioned as the overarching policy document that directs the City in the implementation of consensus-based strategies, goals and policies over the next 10 years, and ultimately through the year 2045.

The vision and policies of the plan will involve all aspects of City administration and community life, providing a common point of reference for all those involved in shaping the City’s future, including elected and appointed officials, City staff, both residents and citizens, businesses, civic organizations, partner agencies (Schools, Utility Providers, etc.), the development community, property owners, and other stakeholders.

The Comprehensive Plan will require a city-wide Growth Framework Map based on “Character Areas.” The character areas will need to be supported by corresponding “thoroughfare” types. City staff will be looking to create “small area plans” for developing character areas upon completion of the Comprehensive Plan, so the development of character areas will serve as the foundation of small area plans, and ultimately for the development of form-based codes for each unique character area. The combination of public outreach, education, and place-based visioning should provide a strong lead-in to this effort. Therefore, a robust knowledge of new urbanism and form-based codes is critical. Respondents to the RFP are encouraged to suggest creative or innovative place-based approaches to the various elements that comprise the Plan.