Orange Beach, Ala. –(OBA) – Two projects being planned in Orange Beach – one well underway – will be discussed at the Jan. 28 regular/work session of the city council. The meeting is set for 5 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

Note: Due to the forecast winter storm, the Orange Beach City Council meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 21 has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Meetings start at 5 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall and are followed by the Committee of the Whole work session.

There will be a public hearing for the Lost Bay development for a zone change by DR Horton to rezone 27.8 acres behind Posh Furniture, west of the Island Church and behind Brett Robinson laundry.

The request is to change the Lost Bay planned unit development from a multi-family development with 82 units into a townhome subdivision with 82 lots. The development is now under construction.

A second, Coastal Cottages, was on the work session agenda to set a public hearing date on a 136-lot townhome subdivision on 25 acres west of the office building at the former toll bridge. Feb. 18 is the suggested date. The owners of this parcel, Coastal Land Properties from Seminary, Mississippi, received a letter from the city stating “the city of Orange Beach is considering de-annexation of properties lying north of the Intracoastal Waterway including” the Coastal Land Properties’ parcel.

During the regular session, the council will:

• Give a report on the Rebuild Alabama road projects for the fiscal year showing Orange Beach received $66,032 from the program to help widen Canal Road east to three lanes from Waterfront Park to Wilson Boulevard.
• OK purchases for goods and services of $218,227 from Jan. 9-22.
• Authorizing a contract with EnCompass 360 for grant-writing services to help fund the first responder safe room to be built at the city’s shooting range on Russian Road.
• Have a second reading of an ordinance change to the Turquoise Place planned unit development to add a six-unit condo building on the west side of the towers.See related story.
• Consider appointing Larry Ramirez to the Library Board.
• Discuss appropriating $10,000 to the Safe Harbor Coalition in 2025.
• Consider a tax incentive package for the coming Margaritaville project.See related story.
• Discuss authorizing a franchise agreement with The Dumpster Guy Baldwin to remove commercial waste and transport construction and demolition debris in the city.
• Consider a contract with Sharp Electronics for a copier for Parks and Recreation.
• Discuss a contract with Renee Smith to provide legal services.
• Consider a resolution to allow the use of the Senior Center to support the 37th Annual Game Day and Salad Luncheon staged by the Orange Beach Garden Club.
• Discuss contracts with Coastal Ballet to provide performances for the city.

During the work session, the council will discuss:

• Changing the March 4 council meeting to March 11 to avoid a conflict with Fat Tuesday.
• Policies and fees for the Orange Beach Shooting Range.
• Appropriating $20,000 to the Pensacola Estuary Program.
• Awarding a bid for two vehicles for Community Development, a bid for pouring and vending rights, a bid for Senior Center renovations, a bid for library renovations, and a bid for work on a veteran’s memorial. All bids are scheduled to be opened on Jan. 30.
• A contract with Sally Wyrick for water aerobics instruction at the Aquatic Center.
• A contract with Sharyon Miller for ageless grace brain fitness instruction at the Senior Center.
• A franchise agreement with Alabama Container Company to operate in the city.
• A franchise agreement with Bishop Enterprises to operate a debris removal business in the city.
• A franchise agreement with Big Red to operate a debris removal business in the city.
• A franchise agreement with BFI Waste Services to operate a debris removal business in the city.
• Setting a public hearing on a request to rescind the Cactus Cantina planned unit development and return it to a neighborhood business zoning. The property is Alabama 161 north of Dollar General.
• Setting a public hearing to amend regulations regarding sidewalks in the beach overlay district. The suggested date is Feb. 18
• An ordinance amendment to add a “Wildlife Friendly Lighting” section to “to establish outdoor lighting standards for the protection of wildlife in the beach overlay district.”