The Port St. Joe City Commission on Nov. 4 advanced Ordinance 6‑26, a first reading and request to advertise zoning and operational rules for sober‑living homes, addiction recovery residences and group homes.

City staff told commissioners the city currently has no local code regulating sober homes and that state law prevents outright prohibition; the draft ordinance therefore focuses on zoning, spacing, licensing and operational requirements "to limit the number of them, but it will not eliminate" such facilities, the staff presentation said.

City Attorney McHale and staff said the ordinance uses available zoning tools — including minimum distances from schools and churches and licensing and registration requirements — to regulate locations and operations in ways permitted by state law. Jeremy Novak, Gulf County attorney, told the commission the county had collected a petition from Highland View residents and offered county support while urging dialogue with property owners.

During public comment, Candy Neesenmeyer of Port Saint Joe said she supports helping people in recovery but did not take a firm position on a specific location. Commissioners discussed sending a letter to local legislators requesting authority changes at the state level, and several asked staff to return with details on enforcement and application review procedures.

The commission voted to schedule the ordinance for first reading and to advertise it for public hearing, allowing formal public comment on the draft language before final action.

What happens next: staff will publish the ordinance for public notice and present it at a future meeting for a public hearing and possible adoption. The record shows the commission took only the procedural step to advertise the ordinance for formal hearing.