Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach officials are encouraging residents to take part in a pair of public meetings designed to help shape the city’s future. City leaders say the events will play a major role in completing the Orange Beach Comprehensive Plan, which will guide long‑term decisions. Organizers hope the meetings will attract a wide range of voices. They also expect the input to help refine a draft plan that is already underway.

The first meeting, a Charrette Workshop, will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 26, at the Orange Beach Event Center. A second public presentation is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, at 5 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. Both events are part of a months‑long planning process that has included public outreach, surveys, and research.

The comprehensive plan will cover major topics, including the natural environment, land use, development, transportation, housing, economics, and infrastructure. The Walker Collaborative consultant team is leading the work and will use the workshop to finalize a concept plan to be presented at the second meeting.

An online survey that ran during the fall drew 843 responses from residents and property owners. Those results will be shared at both meetings, along with key findings on the city's current state. Organizers will also present projections and early ideas for how Orange Beach might grow in the coming years.

During the Charrette Workshop, attendees will break into small groups and work with base maps of Orange Beach. Each group will be encouraged to outline ideas on topics such as natural and cultural resources, land use and development, housing, transportation, parks and recreation, infrastructure, and economics. Participants will then present their recommendations before the workshop ends.

Consultants will bring together all the groups’ input for the public presentation later in the week. City officials say the final version of the comprehensive plan is expected to be ready by the end of February.