Escambia planning board approves amendment to allow commercial zoning on West Oakville/Kenmore parcels

The Escambia County Planning Board on Dec. 2 approved a rezoning (Case Z-2025-10) that will change three parcels along West Oakville Road and Kenmore Road from High Density Mixed Use (HDMU) to commercial zoning.

Meredith Bush, the applicant’s agent, told the board she and the property owner met with county planning staff after earlier hearings and amended the request from Heavy Commercial/Light Industrial (HCLI) to commercial. "I would ask that you would accept into evidence our amended, commercial request," Bush said, explaining the change was made after staff recommended a less intensive district.

Staff from Development Services recommended commercial zoning as a better transitional district between adjacent HDMU and existing HCLI uses, citing interior-operation requirements, mandatory buffering and performance standards to manage noise, lighting, dust and vibration. Allison Lindsay, Development Services, said the subject parcels do not meet the locational criteria for HCLI in the county’s Land Development Code and that Kenmore and Oakville are local roads without bike lanes or paved shoulders — factors that weigh against heavier industrial uses.

Several neighbors told the board they opposed upzoning. "I'm not in agreement with the rezoning," said Melissa Johnson of 111 Kenmore Road, who added, "I'm concerned about my property value going down," and cited frequent truck traffic and noise near longtime residences. Other residents asked that future development focus on retail and services rather than industrial uses.

Board members discussed code limits on outdoor storage and noted commercial zoning still allows some intensive uses; staff said the commercial designation provides more explicit performance standards and a review process to address buffering and site design. The board voted on a motion to approve the commercial zoning as requested; the chair called for opposed and stated, "Motion carries."

What happens next: The Planning Board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action. Because the hearing is quasi-judicial, testimony and exhibits presented at this meeting comprise the record the BCC will consider; the applicant and staff were reminded of that evidentiary requirement at the outset.