Panama City approves multiple annexation, land-use and zoning changes including two Airport Drive parcels and Stanford Road site

The Panama City Commission on April 24 adopted a package of land-use and zoning ordinances that annexed about 2.14 acres on Airport Drive and rezoned or changed the future land use of three other parcels. Mayor Michael X. Rowan and a unanimous four-member commission approved the measures.

Staff recommended approval for the Airport Drive annexation and matching future-land-use and zoning changes after the planning board previously recommended approval unanimously on March 10, 2025. The commission voted 4–0 to adopt ordinance 32 61.1 (voluntary annexation of approximately 2.14 acres at 3716 and 3712 Airport Drive), ordinance 32 61.2 (amending the comprehensive plan future land use map to general commercial for the same parcel) and ordinance 32 61.3 (rezoning the parcel to General Commercial 2).

The commission separately considered a change for 3010 Stamford Road (parcel ~0.387 acres). Planning staff initially recommended denial for the Stamford request because the parcel is surrounded by R-1 zoning and staff characterized rezoning it commercial as potential “spot zoning.” Michael Fuller, the city’s director of development services, told the commission that making the lot conforming would remove a longstanding nonconforming commercial use that cannot be rebuilt if damaged. The planning board had recommended approval 3–1. Owner John Underwood and nearby property owner Jennifer Bowman said the building has been a commercial use since the early 1990s and noted a prior conditional use permit history.

After public comment and discussion of nonconforming-use consequences, the commission approved ordinance 32 62.1 (future land-use amendment to General Commercial) and ordinance 32 62.2 (rezoning to General Commercial 1) for 3010 Stamford Road by recorded votes of 4–0. Commission discussion noted the tension between avoiding spot zoning and allowing owners to continue established commercial uses.

The commission also approved ordinance 32 63, rezoning a parcel at 425 East 19th Street to Urban Residential 2, by a unanimous vote. Planning staff and the planning board supported that change.

Why it matters: The measures formalize existing commercial activity in some locations, give property owners certainty about the ability to repair or rebuild commercial structures, and alter future development rights and priorities along Airport Drive and Stamford Road.

Commission procedure and votes: The ordinances were heard as second and final public hearings after planning-board review. Each ordinance vote was taken by roll call. For the Airport Drive annexation and its companion future-land-use and zoning ordinances the commission recorded votes: Commissioner Hallagus — Yes; Commissioner Lucas — Yes; Commissioner Granger — Yes; Mayor Michael X. Rowan — Yes (motion totals 4–0). For the Stamford Road future-land-use and rezoning ordinances the roll-call votes were identical (4–0). For ordinance 32 63 (425 East 19th Street rezoning) the commission likewise approved 4–0.

Context and clarifying details: Planning staff emphasized that the Stamford Road parcel is physically surrounded by R‑1 zoning; staff described the recommended denial as to avoid spot zoning, while the planning board weighed the parcel’s longstanding commercial use (building constructed circa 1991) and recommended approval. Staff told the commission that, if the parcel remains R‑1, the existing commercial use would be a nonconforming use that could not be rebuilt beyond limits if substantially damaged. The applicant’s representative, Sean McNeil of McNeil Carroll Engineering, and owner John Underwood provided history that the building had served commercial uses for decades. The planning-board vote on 3010 Stamford was 3–1 in favor. For the Airport Drive items, staff and the planning board recommended approval unanimously.

What’s next: The ordinances will become effective per the dates stated in each adopted ordinance unless further legal actions are filed.