COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Ongoing and Upcoming Events, PAGE 3 Oyster gardens in Little Lagoon PAGE 5 Project SEARCH helps disabled kids The Islander PAGE 21 INSIDE FEBRUARY 14, 2018 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Gulf Shores considers lower speed limit on beach road By CRYSTAL COLE The city sent a request to proposed center medians. Public round,” Acreman said. “By doing [email protected] ALDOT to reduce the posted works director Mark Acreman this, we will create that safer ex- speed limit as described to create said this change would be in line perience.” The City Council of Gulf a safer environment for pedes- with other enhancements to that The city would have more flex- Shores is considering passing trians and motorists. ALDOT particular roadway. ibility in the landscape options, and ordinance lowering the has completed a speed study that “With all the improvements specifically the ability to use posted speed limit along Hwy 182 supports this request. If concur- that have been going on with taller elements. East from 45 mph to 35 mph sub- rence is received from ALDOT, 182 including the eight-foot side- “By dropping the speed limit Gulf Shores Arbor ject to ALDOT approval. the 35 mph reduced speed limit walks and the median work, we to 35 mph, we create an urban- The area in question would be would also provide an overall wanted to create a safer overall ized street,” Acreman said. “An Day Celebration from from mile post 6.977 (East safer pedestrian and walkable experience for both our motor- urbanized street will allow for Gulf Shores will cele- 3rd St.) to mile post 7.487 (border environment as well as more ists and pedestrians and for our brate its 31st year as a with Gulf State Park). landscape opportunities for the residents who are here all year SEE SPEED, PAGE 2 Tree City USA on our local Arbor Day. Find out more on page 2. Controversial PUD request hits council By CRYSTAL COLE adorable,” Mitchell said. “I ap- [email protected] preciate how the developer has worked with us on our major con- A PUD request on a parcel just cerns. The initial offering did not west of Phoenix West and Romar have a street wide enough for a Island Spirit Award Tower would potentially put 11 fire truck. They came back; they The February Island homes on a 1.47 acre plot of land. worked with the fire department. Spirit Award goes to WAS Design, on behalf of Greg I don’t think it’s safe. The bot- Donald Gulley. See Kennedy, requests recommen- tom line for me is that this is too more on page 2. dation to City Council for pre- dense of a project for that small liminary and final PUD approval piece of land.” PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF ORANGE BEACH to rezone 1.47 acres from BR-2 Councilman Jeff Silvers con- (Beach Resort High Density) to firmed that this is a relatively A rendering of what is being proposed by the Hammock Dunes PUD applica- PUD (Planned Unit Development) lower density project compared tion. for a single-family residential to the other options available to subdivision project with nine the developers. and an easement needed for the Greg Kennedy, the applicant, new single-family houses, two ex- “Well, by right they can have front roof overhang which will go stated that the intent is to build isting single-family houses, and a 48 bedrooms,” Silvers said. “Here into a private right-of-way. nine cottages, sell nine cottages, common pool area. they’re going to have 34 bed- “I really, really have grave con- and keep the two existing houses The Planning Commission held rooms. So, there’s a density equa- cern over this piece of property,” as personal residences. He stated Art Center Meeting public hearings and considered tion right there.It’s less intrusive Mitchell said. “Although I was the intent to hire a security com- The Friends of the this application at its regular to hazard or life safety or traffic.” only one vote, I’m hoping that pany to monitor the properties, Arts Annual General meetings on December 11, 2017, Drawing a lot of criticism in my council members will take including any illegal parking. Meeting was held and January 8, 2018. At the Janu- this project are the deviations into consideration public safety Jim Alwin, partner, stated that at the Coastal Arts ary 8th meeting, the Planning from the zoning ordinance and in this case. This is going to be as long as the developer is an Center. Go to page Commission APPROVED (vote subdivision regulations. Some of a nightmare if their is an emer- owner, they would require that 33 for more. 7-1) a motion for POSITIVE rec- the deviations include lots widths gency.” a security company be kept on ommendation. Councilwoman of 40 feet instead of the required Larry Cannon, resident, echoed staff through the covenants of Annette Mitchell, who sits on the 100 feet, front setbacks reduced to Councilmember Mitchell’s con- the Owners’ Association. planning commission, gave the 0 feet as opposed to the required cerns regarding emergency ve- Troy Strunk, WAS Design, and DEATHS PAGE 18 one dissenting vote. 25 feet, separation between build- hicle access and stated his belief “The look of this project is ings at 12 feet instead of 20 feet that striping does not work.. SEE PUD, PAGE 33 John William Ballantyne Catherine Campbell Huey Long Collins Emma Ruth Crutchfield Nicholas A. Duckworth Gulf Shores schools announces proposal for out-of-district students Christopher James Fox By CLIFF MCCOLLUM to appoint educational consul- “The Gulf Shores City Board read from a prepared statement. Bruce A. Hummel [email protected] tant Suzanne Freeman as its of Education is prepared to ex- “We further propose that upon Louis Sidney McGrath interim superintendent early tend an invitation to all students completion of the newly pro- Robert Cochrane Last week, the Gulf Shores in the week, a move that would in Grade 7-12 who reside in the posed Orange Beach 7-12 school McMillan City School Board had two big allow the GSSB to continue Gulf Shores High School feeder any student in this classification John Alexander McRae announcements: the appoint- negotiations with the Baldwin pattern and not within the city shall have the option to complete Tobina Riddle ment of an interim superinten- County School System for the limits of Gulf Shores (currently their secondary education in the Harold Chalmers dent and a deal being offered to city’s eventual split. enrolled in either Gulf Shores Gulf Shores City School District Robinson take in the hundreds of students In a meeting held Feb. 8, Gulf Middle School or Gulf Shores or transfer to the new facility.” Michael Patrick that currently live within the Shores School Board President High School), the right and The invitation for the out-of- Gulf Shores High feeder pattern Kevin Corcoran made an an- privilege to continue attend- city students was contingent on Spellman but live outside the Gulf Shores nouncement about the out-of- ing school, tuition free, at these one premise to be negotiated Jill Lyn Teumer city limits. city children that currently two campuses until graduation The board voted unanimously attend Gulf Shores High. from high school,” Corcoran SEE PROPOSAL, PAGE 33 INDEX Gulf BALDWIN LIVING, 5 OUT & ABOUT, 20 Coast CLASSIFIED, 12 PUZZLES, 8 Media HEALTH, 21 SPORTS, 10 VOLUME 42 • ISSUE 8 LEGALS, 24 TV LISTINGS, 14 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES OPINION, 9 2 • The Islander • February 14, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media Gulf Shores celebrates 31st Anniversary as a Tree City USA SUBMITTED Residents of each table with proof of answer questions about household that reside Gulf Shores residency. the trees. The City of Gulf within the city limits Residents receive four As an additional in- Shores and the Beautifi- may select four different tickets per qualifying centive, there will be a cation Board announce trees from the six variet- household. The trees drawing for 12 specialty plans for Arbor Day ies: American Snowbell, are potted in one gallon fruit trees at 9 a.m. Resi- to be Saturday, Feb. 24 Sweetbay Magnolia, containers and are ready dents who are registered from 8:30 – 10 a.m. at Wild Olive, Trident for planting. A brochure and present will be en- the Erie H. Meyer Civic Maple, Pawpaw and Flat- giving specifics on each tered into the drawing. Center. Gulf Shores will woods Plum. tree is available to resi- For more information celebrate its 31st year as To receive the trees, dents. Members of the about Arbor Day contact a Tree City USA on our residents must reg- Gulf Shores Landscape the Public Works De- local Arbor Day. ister at the check-in Division will be onsite to partment at 251-968-1166. Island Spirit Award goes to Donald Gulley Boating safety course offered soon SUBMITTED student materials and lunch. Please make out The Perdido Bay your check to Perdido Power Squadron is Bay Power Squadron. once again offering the Student materials in- premier boating class, clude a student manual, America’s Boating graduation certificate Course, on Saturday, and copies of federal and March 17, from 9 a.m. state rules. Two persons to 5 p.m. at the Lillian in the same household Recreation Park, 33914 may share a single in the course and com- Widell Ave., Lillian, Ala- book. For those sharing prehension assessed as bama. a book, there is an $8 part of the course final Certified instructors charge for the additional examination.