PANAMA CITY BEACH — Panama City Beach City Council has granted the owners of a small amusement park standing in an appeal it has brought forth to challenge a Planning Board decision earlier this month that would allow a potential competitor to open in Pier Park.
This means that the council this afternoon, after having its regular meeting, will resume the hearing and consider the merits of the case.
In a 4-1 vote, with Mayor Gayle Oberst dissenting, the council made the decision after listening to an attorney hired by the city say he didn’t see where evidence was brought forth that would be the basis for granting Miracle Strip Carousel standing in the case, which could have ended the hearing if commissioners concurred.
David Theriaque, a lawyer hired by
Miracle Strip Carousel had asked for a rehearing of the case before the City Council. That company used to run a small amusement park be in the same location in
Several months ago, Miracle Strip moved out of the location in
Theriaque told the council that when considering standing they needed to weigh whether Miracle Strip would be more adversely affected by the new amusement park on issues such as traffic and intensity than other people in the community.
Miracle Strip owner Jenny Meeks said the new park would adversely affect traffic in their new location.
Miracle Strip Carousel was operating a small amusement park in the same location where Pier Park Rides wants to open one. Miracle Strip is contending the proposed Pier Park Rides attraction would not conform with the city’s land development code and the Pier Park Development of Regional Impact.
Check back later today for an update.