Local Residents Advocate for Residential Zoning Amid Domain Concerns on Highway 231

The Bay County Planning Commission meeting on August 19, 2025, focused on a significant land use discussion regarding a property currently zoned for commercial use. Residents expressed concerns about the potential for eminent domain and the desire to rezone the area back to residential use.

Judy Finch, a local resident, initiated the public participation segment by sharing her family's history with the property and their plans to sell part of it. Stephanie Sprouse, another resident, voiced her concerns about the future of the 10-acre property where five families currently reside. She highlighted the emotional toll of previous discussions about eminent domain, stating that residents were previously encouraged to rebuild after Hurricane Michael, only to face uncertainty again.

The commission clarified that the current discussion was not about taking the property through eminent domain but rather about changing the zoning from commercial back to residential. This clarification aimed to alleviate fears among residents who have lived in the area for many years. The commission emphasized that any potential road expansions by the Department of Transportation (DOT) would be separate from their considerations.

After hearing from the public, the commission moved to adopt the staff's recommendation to rezone the property to residential use. The motion received unanimous support from the commission members, indicating a positive step towards addressing the residents' concerns and stabilizing the community's future.