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Commission approves rezoning to correct past lot split on Chickasaw Street in Panacea
Summary
Planning staff and a land‑use consultant told the board that rezoning application R25-08 would correct an improper division from the early 2000s for roughly 8.9 acres on Chickasaw Street; public commenters raised concerns about coastal clearing and vegetation buffers. The board approved the rezoning.
The board considered a planning-and-zoning application (R25-08) to change zoning from P2 and RR1 to RR1 for four parcels totaling roughly 8.9 acres on Chickasaw Street in Panacea. Planning staff said the request is intended to rectify an improper division that occurred in the early 2000s and that, because access does not meet transportation-element requirements in the comprehensive plan, the property would not be eligible for a subdivision.
Donald Phillips and other members of the public objected that coastal vegetation had been cleared and stressed the importance of protecting buffers and native species along the coastline. Planning staff (Brandon) and consultant Suzanne Woodcock explained the administrative history: a mapping or designation error placed part of the property in a preservation/conservation category, the county’s early mapping (1985) likely contributed to confusion, tax designations did not match zoning for decades, and a previous buyer cleared vegetation and later defaulted; the Phillips family regained the parcel and now seeks to correct the zoning to reflect the land as owned and used. Woodcock said the Phillips family had paid higher taxes on the property for years and sought a fair correction rather than development that would clear more vegetation.
Board members discussed access, density and the presence of wetlands, mean-high-water setbacks and base flood elevations; staff confirmed the property could not be subdivided due to access constraints. After discussion the board moved, seconded and approved the rezone.
