Orange Beach city leaders are set to review a completed drainage study for the Bear Point area and consider new safety rules for bicycles, micromobility devices and electric motorcycles when the City Council meets Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 5 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Orange Beach City Hall.
The council’s agenda combines long-term infrastructure planning with immediate neighborhood safety concerns, along with a batch of routine governance items and a zoning case tied to one of the city’s major resort developments.
Bear Point Drainage Study and Stormwater Master Plan
Council members will review the completed Bear Point Drainage Basin Study and Stormwater Master Plan, prepared by Thompson Engineering. The comprehensive presentation outlines strategies intended to optimize water management and strengthen stewardship of the drainage area, giving the city a roadmap for addressing flooding and runoff issues in the Bear Point neighborhood.
Stormwater planning has become an increasingly common priority for coastal Alabama municipalities as development along the Gulf Coast continues and heavier rain events put added strain on aging or undersized drainage infrastructure. A master plan like the one prepared for Bear Point typically gives city officials a prioritized list of drainage improvements, helping guide future capital spending and engineering work in the area.
New Rules for Bicycles, Micromobility Devices and Electric Motorcycles
Alongside the drainage study, the council will address neighborhood safety through a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 70 of the city code. The new Article IX would set updated regulations for bicycles, micromobility devices and electric motorcycles, aiming to ensure safer transit across both residential corridors and commercial hubs in Orange Beach.
The rise of e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices in coastal tourist communities has prompted a number of Gulf Coast cities to revisit older traffic ordinances that didn’t originally account for these vehicles. An updated ordinance gives Orange Beach a clearer framework for regulating how these devices can be used on city streets and pathways.
Zoning Case for Wharf Landing and Margaritaville Resort
In addition to the infrastructure items, city officials will hold a public hearing and conduct a first reading of a zoning amendment for the Amenity District PUD at Wharf Landing. The proposal, filed under Case No. 0703-PUD-26, would amend Zoning Ordinance No. 172 for the Margaritaville Resort development.
Community Events and Other Business
The council will also consider approval of a Special Events Retail Liquor License application from Wharf Restaurant Group LLC for the “Gulf State Collectors” event, scheduled for Sept. 15, 2026, at the Orange Beach Event Center on Wharf Parkway West.
Other items on the agenda include adoption of the City of Orange Beach FY2027 Transportation Plan, intended to guide future transit improvements and position the city to pursue state funding opportunities, as well as execution of a formal use agreement with the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber for the upcoming 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival, one of the region’s signature annual events.
Council members will also consider a resolution amending the city’s Employees’ Pay Plan and job listings, intended to simplify job titles within each municipal grade, alongside routine business such as approval of vendor check payments and minutes from previous Work Session, Regular Council Meeting and Committee of the Whole meetings held July 21, 2026.