Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach’s decision to allow Phoenix Key condo towers east of Perdido Pass was the subject of the city’s first appeal from a planning commission on its decision on a new Phoenix project.



The project received a favorable vote at the April 11 Planning Commission meeting by 5-1 with board president Robert Stuart abstaining because he manages property near the proposed site. Since the developers are staying within the letter of the zoning law for the property there was no need for city council approval.

Residents of nearby Dolphin Key on the Gulf and Dolphin Harbor on Old River were at the council meeting and expressed concerns about the affects the project would have on surrounding property. In the end, the council upheld the planning commission’s decision.

At Phoenix Key, it will have identical towers and containing 56 units each. Brett Robinson is currently underway with Phoenix Gulf Towers in the western part of the city between Sugar Beach and Palm Place condominiums. Each those buildings will have 96 units for a total of 192 with 24 two-bedroom units, 24 three-bedroom units and 48 four-bedroom units in each tower.

This put the total number of buildings or hotels developed by Brett Robinson in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores at 23. In recent years, Brett Robinson has added Phoenix Gulf Shores on West Beach Boulevard near the Pier 33 Grocery store, Phoenix Orange Beach west of the Hampton Inn in Orange Beach and recently completed Phoenix Orange Beach II east of the Island House Hotel. Phoenix Gulf Shores II is also under construction on East Beach Boulevard across from the Comfort Inn.

During the regular session, the council:

• Approved a liquor license for CoastAL currently under construction near the intersection of State Route 161 and State Route 182 in Orange Beach. The project’s second phase will include a residents’ parking lot and beach access on the west side of the beachfront property.

• OK’d a resolution adopting new rental policies, procedures and fees for the Wind and Water learning Center. The city is making the center available for daylong and half-day rental of the facility with capacity for about 49 persons. Renters would have the use of the sailboat loft, beach, restrooms, outdoor picnic area, kitchen with fridge, microwave and coffee maker. There is a separate pay scale for residents and nonresidents. The grounds excluding using the inside would also be available for two-hour rentals.

• Awarded a bid for $135,230 to J. Reed Constructors to refurbish the fire training tower behind Fire Station No. 1. It was the only bid received for the project.

• Awarded a bid for Canal Road widening from State Route 161 to Wilson Boulevard for $7.4 million to John G. Walton Construction. The project will be partially funded with RESTORE Act funds and the city is contributing $3.5 million.

• OK’d a resolution authorizing execution of a professional services agreement with John Holladay for football coaching services for $40,000 and preapproved expenses associated with the job.

• OK’d a resolution authorizing execution of a temporary staffing agreement with Long's Personnel Services.     
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• OK’d a resolution authorizing the execution of a subscription agreement with Active Network for point-of-sale, activity registration and facility reservation software for $28,000 a year. The city has contracted with Active Network since 2019 and uses its services for the Coast Arts Center, sports and recreation, Expect Excellence, sail camp, art camp, swim lessons, junior lifeguard training, the Sportsplex, the Events Center and will soon be used by the Performing Arts Center. It was used for golf cart registration as well as Freedom Fest merchandise sales.

• OK’d the donation of 600 chairs owned by the city as surplus and unneeded to the city of Foley.

• OK’d the purchase of bleachers for the Sportsplex for $72,600.

• OK’d the purchase of a commercial washer and dryer for the Sportsplex through the BuyBoard purchasing cooperative in the amount of $20,262.   

• Had a public hearing on a $1 million grant the city is considering to Point Broadband “to provide additional funding for the construction, installation and placement of optic services” west of State Route 161. The council will also consider a resolution giving the money to Point Broadband after the hearing.

• Had a public hearing and introduction of an ordinance change to allow Turquoise Place to build a four-story parking garage with amenities directly east of the condo towers.

• Rescheduled a public hearing and an introduction of an ordinance for a change in the Parks Edge planned unit development specifically related to the lot at 31 Parks Edge.

During the work session, the council discussed:

• Executing a RESTORE grant agreement with the state for expansion of the Orange Beach Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Program. The $424,450 grant is 100 percent reimbursable and the city will ask for an additional $200,000 from the RESTORE council for this project.

• Declaring emergency conditions at a home at 29709 Bayshore Drive North in Bear Point to be a “danger presented to the safety and welfare of the general public and further orders said property to be cleared at the expense of the owner.” City documents also say owners Rodney and Bethany Hogan were contacted with two certified letters, one in November and a second in February and the city received no response.

• Appropriating $91,000 to Gulf Shores Orange Beach Sports & Events to help with sports tourism on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

• Appropriating a one-time lump sum payment to the state of Alabama Employees’ Retirement System. An act of the legislature allows these payments to any retirees or their beneficiaries at the rate of $2 for every month served as a state employee which would be a total cost to the city of about $36,000.

• Appropriating $259,833 to the Makos Academics, Arts & Athletics Club for coaching supplements for camps run at Orange Beach Middle and High School.

• A resolution authorizing an agreement Granicus for address identification and rental activity monitoring.

• Amend the city ordinance on flood damage prevention to include mechanical and electrical equipment elevation requirements.

• An ordinance change to annex about 1,400 more of County Road 95 into the city limits and take over maintenance. The portion is from South Bayou Lane northwest until county maintenance resumes. On May 3, the Baldwin County Commission OK’d the petition.