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Commission approves conditional use for golf‑cart and low‑speed vehicle rentals at 6126 Thomas Drive
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing golf‑cart and low‑speed vehicle (LSV) rentals at 6126 Thomas Drive (Beach Book Rentals LLC), finding the use compatible with surrounding tourist‑corridor commercial and residential uses; the county’s LDR continues to prohibit rental of two‑ and three‑wheeled motorized scooters.
The Bay County Planning Commission on April 15 approved a conditional use permit to allow golf‑cart and low‑speed vehicle (LSV) rentals at 6126 Thomas Drive in the Panama City Beach area. The applicant is Beach Book Rentals LLC; owner/applicant Robert Person addressed the commission.
Planning staff, represented in the hearing by Andrea, said the proposed rental use is not listed as an allowed use in the C‑1 neighborhood commercial zoning district but recommended approval as a conditional use because staff found it compatible with the nearby mix of commercial, seasonal and residential properties along the tourist corridor. Andrea noted that the county’s land‑development regulations prohibit rental of two‑ and three‑wheeled motorized scooters.
Robert Person, who identified his business as Beach Book Rentals LLC and gave the property address as 6126 Thomas Drive, described the planned operation and vehicle types. “We’re gonna rent out golf carts and beach buggies, which in the state of Florida…is considered a LSV vehicle. It’s got 4 seat belts inside,” Person said, and added the business also plans a small beach‑supply storefront and that the existing storage facility on the site would remain.
Commissioners moved to adopt staff recommendations and recorded affirmative roll‑call votes; no public speakers spoke against the request during the Planning Commission hearing. Staff clarified an earlier point with the applicant about removing larger three‑wheeled “slingshot” type vehicles from this location and moving them to the applicant’s Destin operation.
The conditional use approval allows the rental of golf carts and LSVs at the 6126 Thomas Drive parcel subject to any conditions listed in the staff report; the Planning Commission’s action does not change the underlying C‑1 zoning but permits the use through the conditional‑use process. The county’s LDR prohibition of two‑ and three‑wheeled motorized scooter rentals remains in effect.
