Lynn Haven adopts Marina Island Overlay; commission removes future industrial parcel and orders buffer changes

The Lynn Haven City Commission voted 5-0 on Tuesday to adopt Ordinance 11-79, the Marina Island Overlay District, a zoning overlay intended to guide a large mixed-use waterfront redevelopment known as Marina Island.

The ordinance sets standards for permitted uses, lot sizes, setbacks, building height, parking and street design across the project area and is designed to encourage waterfront, mixed-use development with public amenities. Commissioners approved the ordinance after hearing a detailed presentation from developer representatives and more than an hour of public comment and technical questions.

The developer, represented at the meeting by Andy Bell and architect/urban designers, said the project will include mixed-use buildings, canals, pedestrian promenades, shared greens and a public waterfront center. The developer told commissioners it would keep the development within density limits established by an earlier city ordinance, Ordinance 10-31, which places a cap on residential units, office square footage and hotel rooms in the mixed-use areas.

Nearby industrial property owners represented by attorney Robert Volpe requested stronger buffers to protect ongoing industrial operations and jobs. Volpe asked the commission to require a Type D buffer — the city—s 60-foot buffer with a wall — between the long-standing Merrick industrial site and new residential uses, citing state compatibility requirements. Merrick CEO Joe Tannehill and planner Darren Taylor told commissioners that a clear buffer and notice to prospective buyers would reduce complaints and help the industrial park operate without pressure to curtail hours or operations.

Developer representatives said they were open to increased landscaping and other measures, and sought engineering-driven solutions. "Our interests are aligned," a developer representative said, adding the project team would work with Merrick and bring detailed plans through the required development-order process.

During deliberations the commission approved two specific changes before adopting the ordinance: they directed staff to update buffer language in the overlay to reflect the protection recommended by Merrick and removed an undeveloped industrial parcel from this iteration of the overlay so that parcel would be considered later. Commissioner Ward moved to make both changes; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.

The commission also held the first of two required public hearings for a related development agreement. The draft agreement sets timelines and performance expectations for public amenities, including dedication of a public safety building within Phase 1 and a placeholder requiring a future timeline for public parking spaces tied to the garage capacity; staff said the commission must complete that scheduling language before finalizing the development agreement.

The developer estimated it would take roughly three months to prepare a formal development order after tonight—s approval and eight months or more for permitting and bidding before construction could begin on early phases. The city—s traffic reviewer and other technical reviewers will examine traffic, stormwater and other infrastructure at the development-order stage.

Next steps: the developer will prepare a development order for staff review; the commission will consider the development agreement again after staff and applicants refine buffer and parking timelines. Building and construction phases will proceed only after subsequent development-order approvals.