The proposed Pirates Voyage Dinner Theater development in Orange Beach has been deferred by the applicant and will no longer go before the Planning Commission or City Council this month, according to city officials.

The proposal, which drew widespread public opposition over concerns about traffic, drainage, environmental impacts and compatibility with nearby neighborhoods, had been scheduled for review by the Orange Beach Planning Commission on May 11 before a subsequent vote by the Orange Beach City Council.

The proposed development would have rezoned over 24 acres along Orange Beach Boulevard into a Planned Unit Development for a 59,000-square-foot Pirates Voyage dinner theater during its initial phase.

In recent days, residents noticed the proposal was no longer expected to move forward as originally planned following public debate at a Town Hall meeting hosted by the city last week.

City Administrator and Finance Director Ford Handley said the applicant chose to defer the proposal.

"The applicant has deferred the application at this time," Handley said. "The applicant can bring it back at any time. If they do, it would go before the Planning Commission, then go back to the Council. Any changes would come from the developer."

A deferred application means the proposal is effectively paused rather than denied. No vote was taken by city officials, and the developer retains the ability to resubmit or revise the project in the future before restarting the public approval process.

City leaders previously adjusted the city's normal review process to allow for additional public input before formal hearings on the project. The Town Hall meeting drew a large crowd of residents, many of whom raised concerns about how continued development could affect traffic flow, drainage infrastructure and natural areas in Orange Beach.

Because the application was deferred rather than withdrawn or denied, the proposal could return for consideration at a later date if the developer chooses to move forward. Any future submission would restart the public review process before both the Planning Commission and City Council. 

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yaf8yf5n.