Board approves 18-unit townhouse development on Softly Field Road over neighbor objections

The Escambia County Board of Adjustment voted to accept staff findings and approve a conditional-use request to build 18 townhomes on approximately 2.59 acres on Softly Field Road. Applicant Meredith Bush said the plan represents infill residential development at about 6.95 dwelling units per acre—roughly 30% below the MDR maximum—and includes an on‑site stormwater facility of about 17,000 sq. ft. for positive discharge to the existing conveyance.

Multiple neighbors testified in opposition, arguing the area has a history of flooding, existing high traffic volumes (applicant and staff cited FDOT counts near 21,000 daily trips) and potential loss of privacy from two‑story structures. Julio Parente and others said past drainage work reduced but did not eliminate flooding problems, and residents urged the board to deny the request for neighborhood‑character reasons. The applicant and staff responded that stormwater and buffering will be addressed through the DRC/site‑plan review and that the proposed density is less than what the MDR zoning allows.

After discussion, the board adopted staff findings and approved the conditional use; the approval is subject to the standard DRC/site‑plan and permitting process.