Commission hears first reading of Panama City North PUD rezoning; no decision made
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Summary
The commission conducted the required reading of Ordinance 32-67 on June 10 to rezone roughly 1,200 acres in the Panama City North area to a planned unit development, but took no final action.
The Panama City Commission held the of-two public hearings (reading stage) on Ordinance 32-67 on June 10, a proposed rezoning for an approximately 1,200-acre parcel in the Panama City North subarea to a planned unit development (PUD). Staff presented background and the applicant’s representative described the PUD as a zoning step that enables future phased master plans and development orders.
Applicant representative Ray Greer told the commission the property, previously annexed and assigned an Urban Community future land-use designation, needs a PUD zoning designation before a final master plan and development orders can be submitted. Greer said the urban community designation (set in 2010) sets maximum limits for overall buildout — cited in staff materials as up to 1,800 residential units and 450,000 square feet of nonresidential space for the Panama City North area — and that the PUD process will allow phased master plans and public hearings for each development phase.
Commissioners and the applicant emphasized the PUD zoning does not itself approve specific development plans. Greer and staff reiterated that when a final PUD master plan or development orders are filed, the public will receive notification, the commission will conduct public hearings, and the city will review traffic, water, sewer and other impacts for each phase.
A number of process clarifications were given in the record: the property contains an existing 100-foot right-of-way with dry water and sewer lines extending toward the port; the Gulf Coast Parkway routing and connectivity were discussed as long-term planning considerations; and the planning board had recommended approval unanimously at its May 12 meeting.
Because this meeting functioned as a required reading and informational hearing, the commission did not take final action on the PUD rezoning at this time; the title was read as required and the matter will return for subsequent hearings and a formal vote when a development plan or final reading is scheduled.
