More Than 750 Sign Petition Opposing Regency Place Apartments in Gulf Shores

GULF SHORES, Ala. — More than 750 people have signed a petition opposing the proposed Regency Place apartment development in Gulf Shores, organized under the banner “Save Our Neighborhood, Stop Regency Place Apartments.”

Residents’ Concerns

Residents say their concern centers on the project’s location. Pete Sims, one of the most vocal opponents, said in prepared remarks that the development would significantly affect the surrounding neighborhood.

“The development will increase the population of the City of Gulf Shores by almost 5 percent (based on 512 people or 2.5 residents per unit),” Sims said. “The development will add 400 to 500 more cars on already busy streets in the residential area, not to mention Gulf Shores proper which is almost in a state of gridlock now. If this development is approved, we feel it will not be long before the four-way stop signs in the ‘Small Town’ section of Gulf Shores will be replaced by traffic signals.”

Notice Questioned

Sims said residents had been told by a real estate company that the developer planned to build townhomes. “We were shocked to find out after the fact that a site plan had been approved by the city Planning Commission for a high-density, four-story apartment complex with absolutely no prior notice to citizens living in the neighborhood; as a result the residents were given no input,” he said.

Residents of two nearby condominium complexes, The Enclave and Regency Club, have been urged to oppose the project. Some residents have raised the possibility of lawsuits.

City’s Position

The city’s mayor and planning officials maintain that the approval process was in order and that the complaints lack merit.