May 2, 2026

Gulf Shores Approves Pre-Zoning and Annexation Request For The Riviera Property

By J. Thomas Wade
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

MAY 2, 2026

Gulf Shores, Ala. The Gulf Shores City Council approved a pre-zoning and annexation request for the Riviera property which creates an opportunity for the city to grow both with new residential properties as well as new commercial development.

The property to be annexed sits at the northwest corner of County Road 8 West and Highway 59. City officials said the move helps guide future growth in a key area.

The Gulf Shores request sought to annex about 36 acres for residential use and 3.6 acres for business zoning. Officials said the application was submitted before a recently adopted moratorium. As a result, the proposal was not subject to the moratorium.

Gulf Shores has limited space to grow with Orange Beach to its East and Foley to the north and right now all the beach communities are looking at ways to expand their cities with limited land availability.
A unique but not new method of growing in population can be seen in many beach communities including along Alabama’s Gulf Coast as builders reach for the skies building high-rises which can add hundreds of new residents to an area.

The new property will be zoned R13 for single-family homes. Plans call for 26 residential lots, most ranging from about half an acre to nearly one acre. The smaller section at the intersection is zoned for general business use and is expected to support future commercial activity.

The City Council said that the proposal aligns with the city’s future land use plan. The plan includes goals such as managing growth and improving control over development along major roadways. Officials also noted that annexation helps create more consistent city boundaries, allowing the city to oversee zoning and infrastructure decisions.

The city has already cleared part of the property, and a fill permit was obtained from Baldwin County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for certain wetlands. The remaining land remains wooded. Plans divide the site into residential sections and a commercial corner near Highway 59.

City leaders said managing development in this area is important as Gulf Shores continues to grow.