Planning board approves 4-story hotel at East 20th Plaza; residents raise timeline and displacement concerns

Panama City Planning Board on Jan. 13 approved MDV2510, a major‑development request to build a four‑story, 99‑room hotel on North Palo Alto Avenue at East 20th Plaza. The board voted 5-0 to approve the development order required because the project exceeds three stories.

The hotel application lists Palo Alto Capital LLC as owner and Panhandle Engineering Inc. as applicant representative. Jim Slonina, Panhandle Engineering, said the project will be a Home2 Suites, a Hilton flag, sited adjacent to an existing Marriott and a stormwater pond near a Target. "We're here primarily because it's four stories and four stories or greater require some review by the planning commission," Slonina said, adding the team had completed pre‑application meetings with planning and engineering staff.

The approval follows public comments from nearby residents concerned about timing and displacement. Malena Pernow, a resident at 828 East 20th Plaza, said her mother lives on the property and asked for a timeline and information about relocation and legal protections. Slonina told the board such redevelopments commonly provide relocation opportunity "six months to a year before ground is broken" and said that the applicant had just received surveys and had not started design. Carol Steffner, who also lives at 828 East 20th Plaza, described urgent housing repairs at her home and asked whom to contact for help; staff and Slonina said they would follow up after the meeting to provide resources.

Chairman Neubauer called for a motion after no further public comments. Board members Carroll, Stamps, Barker and Rich joined Neubauer in a unanimous vote to approve the major development request.

The board’s approval authorizes the applicant to proceed with the development order review process required under the city’s Unified Land Development Code; the approval does not itself authorize construction. Staff said additional development‑order attributes must be proven before a building permit is issued, and that the applicant would continue design and permitting steps with city staff.

The board did not place conditions on the approval in its public motion; staff indicated they would coordinate with the applicant and with residents who asked for follow up.

What happens next: The applicant will continue engineering and planning reviews with city staff, then pursue permits. Staff and the applicant said they will follow up with residents who requested assistance and more detail on relocation timing.