Planning board approves rezoning for parcels on East 9 Mile Road to single commercial district

The Escambia County Planning Board on Aug. 5 approved a rezoning request for 220 East 9 Mile Road that would consolidate multiple zoning categories into a single Commercial district allowing up to 25 dwelling units per acre.

The change, case Z2025-05, was requested by Jay Broughton, agent for the property owner, and was approved after staff detailed findings that the request met the county's rezoning criteria and was consistent with the comprehensive plan.

Horace Jones, director, Development Services Department, presented maps, aerial photos and staff's written findings to the board. Jones told the board that the parcel currently carried multiple zoning designations and that the proposed single commercial zoning complied with applicable Future Land Use (FLU) categories and Escambia County Land Development Code criteria, including the code's tests for compatibility, spot zoning and changed conditions.

Jay Broughton, agent with Broughton and Associates, told the board the purpose of the rezoning was to create uniformly zoned parcels that would allow the owner to subdivide and build a new administrative headquarters. Broughton said one parcel's plan had been revised to add a larger stormwater facility and walking trails, and that the development would preserve green space around the improvements.

Two members of the public spoke. Laura Mitchell, who said she operates a business at 198 East 9 Mile Road, said the road "is not equipped to handle what you're asking to do here," and raised concerns about traffic backups, repeated water-main repairs and a history of flooding at nearby retention facilities. Resident and Flood Defenders member Chris Curb said county design standards for stormwater use archived rainfall data that he said is not adequate for current conditions and urged use of updated NOAA rainfall datasets.

Broughton responded that the project would add access points to distribute traffic and that stormwater facilities would be designed to current standards and updated rainfall data, saying, "we design all of our stormwater facilities first and foremost to our best judgment" and that the team would use current NOAA rainfall information during permitting.

A motion to approve the rezoning based on staff findings passed. The planning board record shows the board voted in favor and the motion carried.

The planning board's recommendation will go to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, which has the final authority on the rezoning request.