The City of Orange Beach agreed to wait two weeks before voting to change the city's noise ordinance with an amendment that will prohibit construction from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day of the week and any time on Sundays.

At the March 18 council meeting, the ordinance amendment had its first reading.

Councilwoman Annette Mitchell said, "I think we should give it two weeks," after Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon asked if the council thought they should approve to suspend the rules, allowing the council to vote on and put the amendment into effect that day.

The amendment is now set to be voted on at the April 2 council meeting, which will be held in the Performing Arts Center at 5 p.m. and the Orange Beach Town Hall will immediately follow the meeting.

The amendment document in the council's agenda states this action was sparked by several complaints the city received concerning the "disruptive nature of noise emitted from construction sites."

"Specifically on Sundays — the time residents wish to enjoy the sanctity of their homes," the amendment document reads.

Orange Beach City Administrator Ford Handley told Gulf Coast Media the city remains dedicated to a family-friendly lifestyle. A part of this lifestyle is allowing families to "not hear noises like a sledgehammer" on Sunday afternoons.

Handley said this ordinance amendment will solely affect the residential district, which includes city property outside of the beach overlay district or "everything that touches Beach Road" on the north and south side of the street.

"This will be strictly in neighborhoods," Handley said. "Residential areas include Canal Road, Terry Cove Harbor, Bear Point, places where a lot of our houses are."

The item was not discussed in the March 11 council meeting work session where it was first presented. It was mentioned on the work session agenda as Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon read aloud the items, which will likely be voted on in the next council meeting.

However, the public document found in the online version of the agenda item provides information on specific implementations and what exactly will be affected by this change if approved.

"We appreciate all the construction companies and understand there's a lot of building to be done," Handley said, "but we want to give everyone a day of rest."

The amendment states prohibited activity will include the "creation, erection, demolition, assembling, altering, remodeling, repairing, installing or equipping of buildings, structures, roads or appurtenances thereto- including land clearing, grading, excavating and filling."

Specific tools listed include any appliance that is "attended by loud or unusual noises in its use" including but not limited to pile drivers, power shovels, pneumatic hammer, derrick or hoist.

Exceptions to this amendment include emergency maintenance concerning public roadways, parks and utility services such as sewers, water, electric, gas, internet or cable/phone systems.

Other exceptions include when a permit of exception is issued or when construction is necessary for property restoration following a "public calamity," to ensure safe conditions or prevent an emergency situation.

"The number of residents and visitors in the City of Orange Beach is continuously growing," the amendment reads, "and with that comes an increasing amount of residential and commercial construction."

The ordinance would become effective immediately after approval from city council and publication has been presented at the Orange Beach City Hall, Post Office, Public Library or all of the locations. The amendment lists March 18 as the day it is scheduled to be voted on.