Gulf Shores Citizen Survey: Quality of Life, Growth, & Development Commissioned by: City of Gulf Shores Conducted by: USA Polling Group Report Compiled by: Keith Nicholls, Associate Professor & Director Presentation by: ACE Sustainable Growth Committee, Dennis Hatfield

Agenda Survey Overview Review Results Comments and questions

Survey Project Overview Survey creation: Sustainable Growth, with input from Econ. Dev., Quality of Life, Leadership, City Council and Mayor, USA Polling Questionnaire: 43 questions re citizen attitudes and preferences, 7 demographic measures Sample size: 410, 95% sure results are within 5% of results which would be obtained if all residents were polled Interviews:10 day process, 54% participation, reflects significant interest and cooperation by citizens, average interview 12 min

Who got Interviewed? 86% between ages of % full time, 43% retired 93% white 74% live s, 24% n of I/C 50% have lived in GS more than 11 yrs 25% made over $100K last year 55% made over $60K last year 49% male, 51% female

Rate the Quality of Life in Gulf Shores 91% rated quality of life as good (49%) to excellent (42%) !

Rate the importance of several issues re enhancing the areas quality of life Issue Important Insuring govt accountability 81% Controlling traffic 80% Protecting environment 78% Controlling development 76% Improving education 75% Providing affordable housing 42% Develop public transportation 41%

Greatest Agreement Agree Disagree GS family oriented, has unique 91% 7% character, must be protected Public beach is attractive and 89% 8% well maintained Safer cross walks at areas 89% 9% busiest intersections Area roads s/b designed to 88% 9% accommodate walkers and bikers City comprehensive recycling 87% 8% City should acquire more open areas 84% 14% for public access and enjoyment

Moderate Agreement Agree Disagree City roads well maintained 78% 18% City should plan for acquisition 74% 21% of land for schools City projects look good 70% 21% City should prohibit large 70% 23% digital signs Nothing larger than 6 stories 66% 28% n of beach City protects unique character and 62% 33% environment Hwy thru State Park good idea 62% 32% Everyone off septic tanks 60% 28% City should do more to control 60% 33% color and style new construction

Least Agreement Agree Disagree Adequate parking at public beaches 42% 49% Golf carts are ok on low speed 46% 50% limit streets City decisions on zoning and density 44% 47% preserve neighborhood character and environment City makes good decisions on 45% 40% development approvals Zoning protects neighborhoods 50% 38% from incompatible development

Service Improvements Needed comments % No comment % Traffic Control, congestion 29 7% Police, public safety issues 25 6% Road conditions, maintenance 19 5% Storm drainage, flooding 15 4% City environment, appearance 13 3% Recreation, options, facilities 13 3% Insect, mosquito control 12 3% Accommodating pedestrians 11 3%

Rate the importance of recreational opportunities provided by City Important Public Beach Access 70% Youth Sports Facilities 64% Senior Activities 63% Tennis Courts 39% Dog Parks 37% Swimming Pools 31%

Agree or disagree statements-City representation Agree Disagree City adequately represents 78% 5% developers City adequately represents 62% 17% business owners City adequately represents 54% 36% residents Citizens have opportunity to 57% 33% give opinion on new developments Adequate advanced notice about 48% 41% proposed developments

Main source of info re growth and development Info Source percent Newspapers 54% Word of mouth 17% Personal observation 7% City officials 6% Internet 3%

Summary Citizens appreciate their quality of life and look to the government to protect it Citizens favor limits on growth and development Citizens perceive that City government favors developers over citizens Service improvement opportunities exist in traffic, roads, and police Public beach access and recreational activities for youth and seniors are most important