The Escambia County Planning Board voted Dec. 2 to recommend rezoning 5700 Highway 99 from Agricultural (AG) to Rural Residential (RR) under Case Z-2025-11.

Applicant’s agent Meredith Bush and Development Services staff presented findings that the 20.28± acre parcel is consistent with the county’s rural community future land use and that RR zoning (1 dwelling unit per 4 acres) is intended to provide a transition between agriculture and lower-density residential uses. Allison Lindsay, Development Services, told the board the staff supports the rezoning and noted an environmental assessment will be required before any site development approval.

Neighbor Matt Crosby of 5500 Highway 99 opposed the request, saying the parcel is actively farmed, that changing AG to RR could enable "hobby farm" lots and further reduce productive agricultural land in the Molino area, and that infrastructure such as water mains and fire-safety capacity could be inadequate for additional residential development. "We're losing valuable agricultural properties in the Molino area," Crosby said.

Board members asked staff to clarify a GIS finding that the site contains prime soils; staff said prime soils limit the amount of disturbance allowed (staff referenced a 5-acre/10% disturbance standard for the parcel) and reiterated that an environmental assessment would be required during site review. The board moved to approve the rezoning recommendation; the chair called for opposed and stated, "Motion carries."

What happens next: The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action; any site development will require environmental review and compliance with the LDC.