On Thursday, the city council of Orange Beach, Alabama heard comments related to a proposed ban on all new licenses for vacation rentals (under 14 days) east of the Gulf State Park and north of Perdido Beach Blvd with the limited exception of a handful of TBD PUD-zoned areas.
What’s new, right?
Municipalities all over the globe are discussing similar restrictions. Why does a small town in Alabama matter?
For readers who do not know that Alabama has a beach, it does—a 32 mile stretch of sugary-white sand beaches on the northern Gulf Coast, bordering Florida, that attracts over 5.5 million visitors a year.
The city of Orange Beach lies directly on this strip of unlikely paradise and has over 10,000 accommodations, only 14 percent of which are hotel rooms. The remaining 86 percent are vacation rentals.
Orange Beach is a city whose economy is driven by revenues from vacation rentals. Over 5.5 million travelers spent $5.4 billion dollars visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast in 2016, making up over 40 percent of state’s travel-related expenditures.
In addition, tourism in Baldwin County, in which Orange Beach is located, accounts for over 49,000 travel-related jobs (up 3 percent) and generated over $22.2 million in lodging tax revenue (up 6.5 percent)
Orange Beach has just under 6,000 full-time residents.
The city’s proposed ban on new vacation rental licenses north of the beach road is a result of complaints about a small fraction of a percentage of the millions of people who visit the area.
One would reasonably expect a city whose entire sustainability is based on tourism and revenue from vacation rentals to be proactively friendly to the practice of renting on a short-term basis. Instead, this ordinance is a bleak indication of how municipalities are increasingly willing to “bite the hand that feeds them.”
Personal, anecdotal stories and no data
At Thursday’s meeting, city council members were united in their defense of this excessively restrictive ordinance, providing no data and several anecdotal examples in justification of the proposed ban of new vacation rental licenses for non-beachfront accommodations.
Orange Beach mayor Tony Kennon said, “I lived next door to a short-term rental, and it was a nightmare.”
He continued, “Jeffrey Dahmer was a nice guy, but I don’t want him living next door to me. I want to know who my neighbors are.”
Later in the discussion, Kennon also said, “For those of us that live here, we don’t want short-term rentals next to us.”
Councilman and former Alabama Power employee Jerry Johnson spoke at length about his personal experience in his own neighborhood and the nuisance of short-term renters.
One homeowner of a vacation rental respectfully spoke about his positive experiences as a rental provider and about his guests. Council member and social worker Joni Blalock countered, “You are one percent of what is going on out there. [Short-term guests] are renting homes and stealing from the neighbors.”
One percent.
One percent of what? One percent of all homeowners? Out of the 9,000 vacation rental owners, only 90 are operating responsibly? Doubtful. Blalock offered no data support her assertion.
Councilman and infectious control specialist Jeff Boyd echoed Blalock’s comments to the speaker, “You are an anomaly. You are one of a kind.”
Again, no data was offered to support the councilman’s conclusion.
Alternatives to a ban?
Councilwoman Blalock repeatedly claimed that the council had been looking at alternatives for the last two years, had explored all alternatives, and had no choice but to implement a ban on new non-beachfront licenses for vacation rentals.
Did they really?
- Did they investigate noise monitoring products such as NoiseAware?
- Did they consider requiring a local, 24/7 point of contact for each rental?
- Did they discuss additional rental fees earmarked for trash and parking monitoring?
- Did they debate occupancy requirements?
- Did they discuss implementing “Good Neighbor” programs?
- Did they explore the use of background-checking software?
- Did they conduct a 12-month study and/or document the number of police responses resulting from vacation rentals vs residents and long-term rentals?
- Did they look for ways to work hand-in-hand with HOAs and POAs –in conjunction with documented police reports—to limit rentals on an association-by-association basis?
If they did, not one piece of quantifiable data was introduced in the hearing.
Opponents of the ban outnumbered those in favor
At the meeting in Orange Beach, there were no “ban short-term rentals” signs or t-shirts or angry protesters. In contrast to other city council meetings across the country filled with angry residents, only three speakers were in favor of the ban while multiple residents whose incomes are tied to vacation rentals spoke against the ban, seeking understanding of the urgency and clarification of the ordinance’s exclusions.
Leonard Kaiser, founder of Kaiser Realty and Kaiser Sotheby’s asked the council to “slow down” and figure out how to achieve preserving neighborhoods while not limiting growth. Mayor Kennon shot down his comments and emphatically reiterated that he would vote “no” on any proposed PUD exemptions.
After the head of the Baldwin Country Board of Realtors and several real estate and vacation rental executives spoke and their comments were met with adamant and condescending responses by the council, opponents began filtering out of city hall with a collective realization that voicing their concerns would have no impact.
What is at risk?
The consequences of a ban are significant.
First, property values in a town with 9,000 short-term rentals, millions of visitors, and less than 6,000 full-time residents are, more often than not, based on projected revenue from rental income. Buyers and investors who sense increased regulations and restrictions tend to back away.
Donald Trump has built his presidency around deregulation, maintaining that eliminating government interference and needless regulations creates growth, innovation, development, and optimism within markets.
Second, tourism has the potential of stagnating or declining. With limited accommodations supply, beachfront rental rates increase, and the base customer—for Orange Beach, middle-class families—will find alternative destinations for their vacations. Once a destination has gone out of favor among its core customers, it is difficult to lure them back without extensive discounting, which leads to a debilitating business cycle in the both the real estate and the vacation rental industries.
Third, limiting supply in vacation rentals leads to a decrease in lodging revenue and ancillary spend. Already in Orange Beach, several restaurants have shut their doors. Even a small percentage drop in tourism dollars negatively impacts restaurants, attractions, retail, and service providers.
“Where is this ordinance off-base?”
Mayor Kennon asked, “Where is this ordinance off-base?”
This ordinance is “off-base” in the following ways:
- Data: City officials—especially those leading influential destinations reliant on vacation rental revenue—have an obligation to collect, objectively analyze, and present data before banning rental activity for generations to come. Creating regulatory legislation without due diligence is irresponsible.
- Solutions: Before legislating a ban, look at alternatives. Understand the financial impact of short-term rentals on the economy and talk to constituents from a proactive point of strength instead of a reactive place of weakness. Alternatively, the response could be: “I hear your concerns, and I agree, but we need to collect and analyze actual data to see how banning vacation rentals affects our overall economy before implementing a blanket ban. But we will implement new rules that include 24/7 points of contact, good neighbor policies, a new noise ordinance, and punitive citations.”
- Targeting: Single family homes and condos across the street from the beach and along waterfronts are as popular for renters as beachfront property, especially for guests traveling with pets and visiting for fishing, boating, and sports events. This ordinance unnecessarily punishes buyers, homeowners looking to sell, future development, and overall growth.
State preemption bills
Several states, including Florida and Arizona, have created legislation limiting the ability for municipalities to restrict short-term rentals and protecting a homeowner’s right to rent.
Opponents of umbrella legislation point to states exerting themselves into city business as a reason to push back on a state short-term rental preemption bills. However—facing a case like Orange Beach, in which a municipality refuses and fails to collect, objectively analyze, and share data, and instead, arbitrarily acts on anecdotal evidence generated by a small percentage of angry neighbors—it is likely time for the state to look at the revenues and jobs created and make a decision to limit a municipality’s ability to restrict vacation rentals.
Elections matter
It is time for vacation rental managers and stakeholders to proactively look for candidates who are growth-minded and recognize the value of tourism, especially for municipalities that are reliant on its sustainability for the economies. Yes, residents are going to complain, and many of their complaints are valid. But growth-minded leaders will keep the big picture in mind, rely of data, and look for solutions instead of looking for blanket bans as an easy way to limit the angry phone calls.
As an option, stakeholders can reach out to the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), National Association of Realtors (NAR), Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), and state tourism departments to bring heavier hands to the discussion and deliver much-needed data into the hands of city officials to help in their decision-making. And when state preemption bills are necessary, stakeholders will find it beneficial to work hand-in-hand at the state level.
Takeaways:
- If you think your destination is immune, think again. If it can happen in Orange Beach, it can happen anywhere.
- Councilman Jeff Boyd is running for Alabama State Senate, and he made his stance crystal clear about his lack of understanding about vacation rentals, about future development, and about the impacts of his decisions about overall growth.
- Note: Want to know who’s happy about this ordinance? Hotels.
- Related: Orange beach votes in moratorium on new short-term rental licenses.
ronald koenraad
January 21, 2019 at 1:27 pm
Wow, I am glad to have read this. I am from Atlanta, and bought a vacation home in Destin (Holiday Isle). Our HOA recently wanted to ban short term rentals. The Destin mayor was also a HOA member against STR’s. Some how two HOA members got put on the Destin City STR task force/committee. Destin is restricting STR’s too.
I am an avid fisherman with two boats, I spend a lot of money in Destin…..I was thinking of selling and possibly moving to OB, but this has opened my eyes. I hope Destin does not go the same way…..the situation is similar to Ob….just a few self serving against the whole principle that these two great cities were built on. Very sad.
Sonissun
January 5, 2019 at 2:15 pm
Yikes! My hubby is a retired police officer a 38 year tour. I am a financial planner, retired after 30 yrs. We have wintered in 5 states the last 7 years-the last 3 in AL. One year in Fairhope-2 in OB. We chose AL because we are like-minded politically, seek strong faith-based communities & appreciate value for the dollars we spend here. We rent 5 months each year-Nov thru Mar. That makes us longer term snowbirds renting someone’s condo that we care for like our own. We’re in the process of deciding if OB could be our permanent home. This controversy illustrates the growth of this beautiful city has superceded the expertise of local government charged with the responsibility of protecting it’s permanent residents while encouraging quality growth which ensures the economy. PERHAPS it’s time to search for & hire a credentialed city planner. For us, we’ll put our purchase on hold—-and rent for a year or so while the future of OB unfolds.l
Joshuah Bryant
April 25, 2018 at 10:41 am
Amy, Thank you the update and great review.
Mamawom
January 6, 2018 at 10:29 pm
Ok. I live in a house in a subdivision in Orange Beach. So if it is ok for a house to be rented out to a family or families (usually more than one family rents a house so it will be cheaper to stay) how would that same family feel once their vacation is over and they head home and pull up to their home in a their own subdivision and their neighbor had rented their house out to people they do not know. And they go to their pool to relax and there are 14 people at the pool all rowdy that you do know know. Yes this is a tourist town, but for some of us this is the town we live in.
Chris McDonald
January 6, 2018 at 8:33 pm
To the Mayor and the council. You are elected to represent the voice of your citizens. If you choose to not listen to them and forward your own agenda then you can simply be replaced. What you are wanting to impose could have a serious impact on your city’s economy. Not everyone likes staying in a hotel or a condo. Some people enjoy the feel of a home environment. Myself and other family members have rented homes in Orange Beach in the past and would like to do so in the future. If you want this stopped then I can just as easily take my business to Gulf Shores. Also before you go making decisions like this think of the impact it could have on city employees. If your revenue decreases then would you keep those employees? I doubt you would. In a cost saving measure you would look to lay off employees. The only way to keep those people employed would be to raise sales tax or other taxes on the current residents. People do not like that. So as you see this decision could impact your “jobs” as politicians. Angry voters could put you out of a job. Just my thoughts on the matter.
Mark
January 6, 2018 at 12:06 pm
My first question. How many of you were at the city council meeting? One thing that makes my blood boil is an uninformed opinion. The first thing you must understand is this article was written by someone’s business that is driven by vacation rentals. I was at the city council meeting as I am at every council meeting and the author of this article must have been at a different meeting. This article is very misleading. First of all it is not short term rentals, it is about vacation rentals (14 days or less) in homes that are in residential neighborhoods zones RS. Anyone that is currently renting their home in these areas will be allowed to purchase the appropriate license and continue renting their homes as long as they abide by the rules in place. Under this resolution there will not be any new licenses given to homes in RS zoned areas. This is to keep the neighborhoods for what they were designed for, neighborhoods and not vacation rentals. This will not affect snowbirds or anyone wanting to rent longer than 14 days. There are only approximately 250 homes in residential neighborhoods that are currently vacation rentals. This is a small percentage and there are plenty of facts that were given by council members and residents of the horror stories of some of these rentals. One fact that is true, there is a small percentage that are not problems and they were given a chance to argue their case. What this comes down to is not allowing people or developers to buy up or build homes in residential areas just to make a buck on the vacation industry. This is what the condos and beach houses are for and those areas are zoned accordingly.
Would you want a vacation rental next door to you? I wouldn’t. If I did then I would live in a condo or beach house.
I would suggest to anyone, whether you support this resolution or not, go to the city council meetings and become informed, voice your opinion and then make an educated decision before just spreading hearsay.
Every council meeting audio is posted on the Orange Beach City website the week after the meeting. I would recommend that you go and listen to it in its entirely. You can find it at orangebeachal.gov
Amy Hinote
January 6, 2018 at 4:36 pm
Hi Mark, Thank you for your comments. I recently moved back to Orange Beach in December from the Chicago area, and I was at the meeting. Just to provide a little background, I lived in and around Orange Beach from 1993-2010 before I had to leave for my job. The difference between the definitions of short-term rentals and vacation rentals can get very confusing in all markets, not just Orange Beach. Repeatedly, the city council members referred to not wanting short-term rentals. Since you were at the meeting, you heard what I heard. My understanding of the proposed ordinance is that anyone with an existing license can renew, but no new licenses will be issued for vacation rental homes north of Perdido Beach Blvd.
You said, “What this comes down to is not allowing people or developers to buy up or build homes in residential areas just to make a buck on the vacation industry.”
The city was built on the back of the development and vacation rental industries.
In my job, I have the unique opportunity to look at data from vacation rental destinations around the US. The economy and real estate values in Orange Beach will suffer if this ordinance is passed. Whether the number of visitors declines 1% or 7%, whether rental rates for beachfront rentals increase 2% or 15%, and whether non-beachfront home values drop 3% or 9% remains to be seen; but to ignore that the passing of this ordinance will have a negative impact is simply putting your head in the sand.
For some residents, a drop in the number of visitors is a positive thing (with less traffic, less nuisance, shorter lines at the grocery store, etc.) For residents, businesses, and schools whose livelihood is reliant on a growing tourism economy, a drop in tourism spending is detrimental.
I believe the bigger issue is preserving Orange Beach as a family-friendly vacation destination for generations to come. The behavior that was described in the anecdotal stories offered was disturbing, and I believe the complaints are valid. But these issues can be addressed with other policies that still contribute to overall growth.
Mayor Kennon said that renting your home is a business, and he wants to stop business activity in homes north of the beachfront. If that is the case, then long-term rentals should also be restricted. The only difference between offering a home as a long-term rental and a short-term rental is arrival and departure date of the renter. I lived on Ornacor in Bear Point. I would have much rather had short-term renters on my street than the meth lab and the domestic-disturbance-couple who were long-term renters.
By any measure, this ordinance is excessive and–based on the attendance at the meeting–has little support. Any blanket legislation that supersedes HOA and POA rights should have a significant amount of collected data to support it. If there was real data collected, studies that were conducted, and impact analysis that was undertaken, the city council chose not to present it to the public.
I absolutely respect your support of the city council’s decision, your regular attendance at the meetings, and your commitment to staying on top of all the things going on in the city. And I also agree that any stakeholders in Orange Beach should do the same. I look forward to meeting you at a future meeting in person. Thanks again for weighing in. I certainly believe that all voices, opinions–and facts–should be heard when a proposed ordinance that affects so many is presented. Happy new year to you and your family.
Brigid Steed
January 7, 2018 at 10:55 am
The actual City of OB moratorium states 180 days or less is considered short term. So it WILL affect snowbirds as well as anyone here on comtract to work — like those building the beachfront condos. Further, some of us can’t attend meetings because we have CHILDREN that are doing sports, scholars Bowl, band…etc.
D
January 6, 2018 at 10:10 am
I live in one of the areas that would be affected by this but I haven’t formed an opinion yet. My question is, where would people who bring boats or pets rent? Beach houses usually don’t allow pets or have parking for boats.
Benjamin
January 6, 2018 at 8:37 am
JEFF BOYD is running for is running for state senate!!!! Remember this Alabama residents!!!!! This is exactly the way he will vote if elected to the senate seat. True colors come out!!!!
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Just a literal thinker
January 6, 2018 at 7:23 am
I love how misleadingly news articles are written by people with zero insight into what they are writing about.
Where would anybody want to put a short-term rental EAST OF THE PARK and NORTH OF PERDIDO BEACH BLVD. with exception of the areas which are already PUD-zoned?
The way this is written and being comprehended is as if they are trying to ban the rentals in the entirety of Orange Beach.
Do yourself a favor… Print out a Google map page of OB, mark the area that this proposed ban would affect, and then go to the zoning council’s website and mark off all locations within that area which are already zoned PUD and ask yourself, when almost all of this county is already being destroyed by people who don’t have to live with their impact on it permanently, is it really that big a deal that the permanent residents don’t want to open a couple little residential areas to the mess?
This coming from what some would call a “Yankee” with an open mind to all sides.
bucky Eades
January 6, 2018 at 9:30 am
Great someone that actually knows. I was at this meeting, i live in one of these neighborhoods. They are not stopping ANYTHING close to the beach, just single family neighborhoods like Cotton Bayou and Terri Cove. If you live here year round and work here you need sleep and rest. When people come here on vacythey need to party and unwind and the beach and condos are there for it not our neighborhoods. Would you like to have different people in the house next door to you every week staying up all hours partying then putting enough trash out for two weeks worth that piles up for 3 days until the trash runs? These people are on vacation and deserve to have fun they paid for it. The condos and beach houses are set up to handle it and it is incouraged. The short term renters normally pack more than normal into the house and overwhelme the parking in a neighborhood home. Trust me when I say that I will call the popo when they are loud after 10 pm and no one wants that on vacation
Amy Hinote
January 6, 2018 at 7:16 pm
With respect, Cotton Bayou and Terry Cove have associations that can easily vote to restrict vacation rentals. You mentioned that this ordinance does not restrict “anything close to the beach.” There are many areas close to the beach and along waterfronts that are affected. Other vacation-rental-oriented destinations have identified ways to address trash and noise. Is it too much to ask to look at these alternatives as opposed to a blanket ban?
Brigid Steed
January 7, 2018 at 10:58 am
I live in Trey Cove and it’s AGAINST our POA rules for rentals. It seems that if this is the argument– maybe stronger hand against POAs for NOT enforcing their rules!!
S.Becker
January 6, 2018 at 6:55 am
I own vacation rentals in Palm Springs, CA. The same thing is happening here. Owners are limited to one license. With new very restrictive rules including CE courses each owner must take.
Funny, this all happened while two large hotel chains are opening.
Does city council have alterier motives. You bet ya.
It’s scary, unconstitutional,and against everything this town was founded on.
Steve B
January 6, 2018 at 6:54 am
I own vacation rentals in Palm Springs, CA. The same thing is happening here. Owners are limited to one license. With new very restrictive rules including CE courses each owner must take.
Funny, this all happened while two large hotel chains are opening.
Does city council have alterier motives. You bet ya.
It’s scary, unconstitutional,and against everything this town was founded on.
Trisha Brumfield
January 6, 2018 at 2:47 am
The people need to VOTE THEM OUT! Too much power has gone to their heads! They sound like a group of old folks complaining about teenagers and voting to ban them from the town by making it a retirement village! They are only concerned for themselves and their wants, they don’t care about what is best for Orange Beach, Baldwin County and the State of Alabama. VOTE THEM OUT!! (Very good article btw, this needs to be brought to the attention of the people.)
Robin McElrath
January 5, 2018 at 11:31 pm
I think the OB council and Mayor are not taking into count that these “subdivision have HOA and it should be up to the HOA that represents the owners in said subdivision whether to ban short term rentals. Typical OB government…they decide what THEY want, not what the owners of these properties that rent their homes to be able to afford a 2nd home/rental property.
Kevin Wendelburg
January 5, 2018 at 8:31 pm
Y’all come over to Gulf Shores and Ft. Morgan and vacation where you are appreciated. We know the value of your dollars and appreciate you more than you know.
Glenn
January 6, 2018 at 2:25 am
No no bro I’m not against sort term rentals at all but all these damn condos and way to many sort term houses for rent on west Bach and fort morrgan have rewind my home and the beach I grew up on all I see is b.s. condos or house when I’m on a charter and I’m sorry to say to a lot of folks most who live here r not truly from here but in my case my family established fort Morgan as matter of a fact there is a sign stated the history of just that at the head of my road my family is the Callaway s I’m 8th generation from here born an breed most cannot say that and all they see is dollar signs build build build until there’s nowhere left to have any big front that’s not fucked with concrete Orange big and Gulf shore shouldn’t have ever let any developers build 1 damn home on the south side of bch road period and there should be a limit of how many homes and condos that’s alowed to built period now sort time rent of what is here now that’s fine of course and people enjoying the beach an are area and yes it those visitor’s are basically are manstay of the money flow that we all do count on but in that there has to be a limit of how many structures are built for just that purpose hell they’d probably try to run us all off r property just to put a rental in place of my home to line there pockets hell they’d put 2 place on my land look at fort Morgan bch they’ve fucked it with all them damn house that not many folks stay in yr around they are staked 5 feet from 1 another that’s b’s anyway most who live here now can’t say they are really more than the 1st or 2nd generation of people who live here and in my opinion they don’t have much right to come to where my family settled and thank they kn what’s best for the place I call home born and breed for generations there’s been so much destroyed in laws and regulations on the fishing industry because of all these people who don’t kn jack shit about r fishery and all my charters r from visitors for sure but they don’t stay and I’m glad to have them but there are to many rentals on our cost now more than we ever needed oh and to who ever said 37 miles of cost yr mistaken in pretty sure its 57 or 60 give or take a few miles he’ll fort Morgan rd is 22 miles its self oh but thats right OB people don’t kn of gulf shores or act as they do well there was a gulf shores and a fort Morgan way before a Orange bch and GS is. And always is the best lol I am sorry if this statement offends anyone I’m all about visitors co.ing I’m just not ok with letting folks rein anymore of my home with concrete condos and rental homes staked as closed as they can get them to each other so they can build as many as they possibly can
B.D. Thrasher
January 5, 2018 at 7:16 pm
Wonderful attempt to restore a neighborhood cottage community.
Run the predators out of town.
Kristina Halfacre
January 5, 2018 at 6:21 pm
Thank you very much for so eloquently bringing light to this! We still have some time before this becomes an ordinance. I encourage everyone reading this to call the City of Orange Beach and voice your concerns!
Barbara Swift
January 5, 2018 at 6:16 pm
I knew Yankees with their rule book mentality would desend on our little piece of heaven. We have always kept our vacation dollars in our own state.Law makers have been salivating over control of the undeveloped state park beaches for years soon there will be no areas for visitors that just want to enjoy the beach without it costing an arm and leg.
Ed Long
January 5, 2018 at 6:16 pm
My family has been coming to OB for over 23 years. If you start to limit my rental options and cause a price increase with the condos I will be forced to go the GS or across the bridge into FL. Be careful what you do!!!
Crystal patty
January 6, 2018 at 9:04 am
I agree. We have been going for 6 yrs now n are set 2 go in April 2018 n if this starts we will be going somewhere else. I’m a single mom n have a hard time now with renting but I make it happen. If it goes up anymore we will not be going. We love this place n always respect our neighbors no matter it be renters or people who live their.
Connie Carlisle
January 5, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Please understand that Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are two totally different cities as Mayor Kennon so emphatically reminded us last night. Gulf Shores appreciates and loves vacation renters.
Bucky Eades
January 6, 2018 at 6:50 pm
Connie Carlisle since GS so loves and Appreciates WHY DID THEY BAND DRINKING ON THE BEACH during spring break? Remove the plank from thy eye before the splinter in mine. This only limited the short term rentals in the neighborhoods where the residents of OB live full time in the houses where families live. It’ is a nightmare to have short term rentals next to your home where you have to get up and go to work at 6 am but they have partied until 5 am next door. The beach properties and areas not effected for this are set up for it. They have proper trash pick up and people are all invocation and aren’t trying to go to work. If you want people here that aren’t local anymore then the carry on. Get every one but vacationers off the island then what happens in the winter? You really think the snowbirds will rent everything and keep everything open?
Brigid Steed
January 7, 2018 at 11:01 am
Bucky– I’m sure you are aware that OB also has no drinking on the beach during spring break as well.
Buddy
January 5, 2018 at 3:11 pm
I am one of the tourists that visit Orange beach EVERY year. This ban stinks of politicians having their pockets lined by large hotel chains. Limit competitors, increase profits. The problem being that many families are like me, looking for a great low cost vacation spot and Orange beach has that right now. If you eliminate those low cost short term rental properties we will just find a new spot to vacation, simple as that.
Kathy sills
January 5, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Agreeeed…let’s ban orange beach….perdodo FL..right next to OB…cheaper and beautiful…prices are out of sight in OB….destin is 4 hrs from bhm….panama city 4 hours…Ob 4 hours….take our money and spend it where we r wanted..
We have stayed on gulf shores the last few years…so much cheaper and it is the same beach…ban OB
SHARON
January 5, 2018 at 6:27 pm
That’s exactly right!
Daniel Bird
January 5, 2018 at 2:58 pm
My family has been traveling from Missouri to Orange Beach for the past several years for summer vacations. It’s a 9hr drive to the gulf shores and we love every minute of it along with our stay on the beach front. But this year prices have already been going up and its very expensive to find a place that accommodates a family of 9. I hope the city’s council make the right decision on the idea of a banned, because it can effect a lot of families vacation planning.
B.D. Thrasher
January 5, 2018 at 2:36 pm
Great move by the city. The infrastructure is already overwhelmed. Predatory development has to stop.
Christie L Wiley
January 5, 2018 at 12:22 pm
This is a shock to me. We live in such a great state, where all types of vacations can be found. For over 30 + years of adult vacationing on our Gulf, what does this mean to me? Hotels are too small. I love amenities, but having space is a must. A trip for a week is EXPENSIVE, a family can travel anywhere cheaper than what we spend driving 6 hours, to keep money in our own state. We have the worlds most beautiful beaches. I think tose in office need to make some careful decisions. We won’t stay in small hotel rooms. Our money will goes across state lines.
Desiree S
January 5, 2018 at 11:53 am
Very well said. It’s incredibly frustrating when the government refuses to represent the people of their community, and instead push their own agendas.
Bucky Eades
January 6, 2018 at 6:53 pm
You’re wrong the city council IS representing the LOCAL people of their community.
B. Foster
January 5, 2018 at 11:02 am
My family has stayed in OB many times over the last 10 years and every time in has been in a home in a neighborhood because we are not tourist, we live in Baldwin County. We take one or two boats and all our grandchildren and our dog with us. I assure you we would never stay in a condo or hotel in OB. We love the quite neighbor hoods we have stayed in and the wonderful neighbors we have me.
Alicia Carroll
January 5, 2018 at 9:16 am
One big way to change this decision is to vote them all out of office! And not forget this come election time.
Jason Sprenkle
January 5, 2018 at 7:46 am
Scary stuff – excellent article!
Glen Kaiser
January 5, 2018 at 7:33 am
Good review of this issue and this meeting Amy!
KT
January 5, 2018 at 8:31 am
Thank you for this fabulous article. We are being railroaded.
Paula Segal
January 5, 2018 at 2:34 pm
Glen, I totally agree with you. It is extremely frustrating when a council decides to vote their own personal agenda instead of the people that they are suppose to represent