Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach added language to the city’s zoning ordinance to make living in a recreational vehicle in a neighborhood zoned single-family residential.

“Occupied RVs are only allowed in areas zoned recreation vehicle parks, they’re allowed in mobile home parks with designated areas for RVs,” City Planner Griffin Powell told the council during its Dec. 5 meeting. “And, also in the planned unit development where the master plan does allow for RVs. This amendment will not impact any areas where it’s allowed.”

Mayor Tony Kennon said he had heard citizens who thought the amendment would also ban having an RV in the yard next to or behind a permanent residence.

“Some people are saying the change wouldn’t allow them to keep their RV at their house,” Kennon said. “That’s not true.”

The goal of the amendment is to not allow RVs on residential lots to be lived in or be connected to water or sewer service. Unoccupied RVs in single family residential neighborhoods can be hooked up to electricity.

“We do not go looking for infractions, we don’t try not to give anyone a hard time,” Kennon said. “But if someone reports it and there is a complaint, we have to act on it. And, if it’s a violation, we have to act on it.”

RVs can be occupied in residential areas under the following conditions:

RVs can be occupied by a homeowner building or reconstructing a resident for six months after getting approval from Community Development

The RV must be hooked to utilities and have garbage service

Occupancy must be tied to a valid building permit

Must be located on the same lot as the construction/reconstruction or an adjacent lot

Extensions of the six-month stay are at the discretion of Community Development

The council met in a joint/regular session on Dec. 5 at city hall. During the regular meeting, the council:

• OK’d payment of bills in November totaling $1.39 million including $359,000 to John G. Walton Construction, the contractor on the Canal Road widening and 10-foot sidewalk project.
• Authorized the city to have community events during 2024 including the city Mardi Gras parade, the Art Festival, Seafood Fest at the Wharf, Freedom
• Fest at the Wharf, the City Christmas Tree Lighting at the Wharf and school community events.
• Appointed members to the city’s employees’ leave bank. Chandler Dick and Joe Brown will each serve two years starting on Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31, 2025, replacing current members Jesse Hollingsworth and Nick Bryant. Permanent members are City Administrator Ford Handley and Human Resources Director Vicki Pishna
• Authorized an agreement with CGI Digital “for a community showcase video program.”
• OK’d the annual contract with Bob Riley and Associates for lobbying services in Montgomery for the city at a cost of $10,000 per month plus expenses.
• OK’d the annual contract with Van Socyoc Associates for lobbying services on federal issues involving the city at a cost of $6,000 monthly plus expenses.
• Authorized a contract with Socialize Your Bizness for social media consulting and marketing services for $1,800 a month.
• Authorized a contract with the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance to appropriate $12,500 for 2024 to help with the group’s work in south Baldwin County.
• OK’d a payment to the Gulf Shores Airport Authority of $75,000 an increase from $35,000.
• OK’d a performance contract with Coastal Ballet Academy to provide a venue for performances at the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center.
• Extended the entertainment districts at The Wharf and SanRoc Cay Marina/Perdido Beach Resort until Dec. 31, 2024.
• Authorized a contract with Jay Jackson for theatrical set building for the production of the “Wizard of Oz.”
• Declared a 2001 Dodge Max Wagon van as surplus and donation it to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
• Authorized an amendment to the enrollment agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama for the employee and certain employee dependents health plan.
•  An introduction and public hearing for an amendment to the zoning ordinance “to remove the landscape and tree removal exemptions for commercial tree operations.” The council voted to add the amendment.

During the work session, the council discussed:

• Renewing the medical services contract with Southern Rapid Healthcare for employee healthcare services.
• Updating the list of volunteer firefighters and reserve police officers an annual requirement by the workers’ compensation insurance provider.
• Appointing attorneys for 2024 including Spencer Davis as city prosecutor and Paul Woodall to represent the city on real estate transactions, finance and economic incentives.
• Awarding annual bids for goods and services. The agenda doesn’t state what those bids are for or how much they will cost.
• Authorizing a contract with Computer Backup for tech support and other computer services for $126,000 a year.
• The purchase of a vacuum pump truck for the Utilities department from Sansom Equipment Co for $509,207.
• Authorizing a special services contract with retired employee Chris Litton including audio production, firearms training and youth shooting sports organization.
• Giving staff permission from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management grant to install low-impact development for the protection of Wolf Bay at the city’s Wind and Water Learning Center. The project is estimated to cost $853,932 and ADEM would fund 60 percent if the grant is approved. The city’s 40 percent match of $344,231 can also include in-kind services by city workers on the project.
• Authorizing of an amendment to the subaward agreement with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the expansion of the Orange Beach Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Program with RESTORE Act funding.
• Executing a grant award agreement with the National Audubon Society for the stewardship of beach nesting bird habitat.
• Approving a variance from the coastal construction zoning to allow Phoenix South Point to discharge “effluent” water into the Gulf of Mexico on a beachfront project under construction.
• Authorizing a taxi franchise for CrozzzCabz to operate in the city.
• Authorizing a franchise for BFI Waste Services to remove commercial waste and to remove and transport construction and demolition debris.