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Bay County commissioners approve large-scale mixed‑use plan for 1011 Highway 386
Summary
The Bay County Board of County Commissioners approved a comprehensive‑plan amendment and corresponding zoning change to allow mixed‑use development on roughly 136 acres north of Mexico Beach, a proposal that envisions residential and commercial uses and anticipates utility service from Mexico Beach.
The Bay County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a large‑scale future land use amendment and a corresponding zone change for property at 1011 Highway 386, north of Mexico Beach.
The approval changes roughly 136 acres from agricultural/timberland to a mixed‑use future land use designation and rezones the parcel to Mixed Land Use (MLU). At a public hearing, county planning staff said the applicant’s master plan proposes 368 residential units and areas designated for commercial use; staff recommended approval after the Bay County Planning Commission found the amendment consistent with the county comprehensive plan.
Wayne Porter, senior planning staff, told commissioners the property lies just north of the Mexico Beach city limits and that the city is the likely retail water and sewer provider for the development. "The applicant has discussed annexation into Mexico Beach as well as utility services with city officials," Porter said. He also noted that the Florida Department of Commerce review raised no objections.
Mike Burke, representing the applicants Bubba and Barbara Harmon and Nickel Creek Development, said the developers do not expect Bay County to provide retail water and sewer service but have been in discussions with Mexico Beach and other nearby cities. "The developers do not expect Bay County to provide those services, but they understand that they'll have to have those services provided, and we'll have that worked out before they come to you for a development order," Burke said.
Commissioners asked staff and the applicant to clarify which agency would provide retail utilities; Porter reiterated Bay County could provide wholesale water but the city of Mexico Beach would be the retail provider for customers inside city service areas. No members of the public spoke at the hearing.
The board conducted a roll call vote to adopt the ordinance and change the comprehensive plan designation; all commissioners present voted yes.
The approvals allow the applicant to proceed to future development‑order applications and any required annexation or utility agreements with the city of Mexico Beach. County staff said the project remains subject to development‑order review where traffic, stormwater, construction phasing and other technical conditions will be addressed.
