Escambia County BOA approves conditional use to allow larger retail space on Mobile Highway

Escambia County’s Board of Adjustment unanimously approved conditional use CU2025-133227 on Dec. 17, 2025, allowing a retail/restaurant use larger than the 6,000-square-foot limit (up to 35,000 square feet) in high-density mixed-use (HDMU) zoning on Mobile Highway.

Staff from the Development Services Department presented maps and photos of the site in the Brownsville Community Redevelopment Area and reviewed the conditional-use criteria. Andrew Homer, Development Services, told the board staff found the proposed warehouse/storage addition and retail use compatible with the commercial character along Mobile Highway, noted on-site circulation and public facilities would be reviewed in the site plan process, and concluded that "staff recommends approval of the conditional use as requested." Homer also said the submitted site plan lacks full connection details and that Mobile Highway is a Department of Transportation right-of-way, meaning DOT comments on access cannot be guaranteed at this stage.

The applicant, agent Jeff DeVault, told the board the request is limited to the square-footage relief: "that's all we're asking for is the okay to do that." The staff presentation noted adjoining residential properties to the south will require buffering and that screening, solid-waste placement, signage, and other site characteristics will be handled during development review.

Member Willie moved to approve the conditional use according to staff findings; the motion was seconded (record shows second by Greg) and the board voted 4-0 to approve CU2025-133227. The board adopted staff's findings of fact as presented. The motion record shows unanimous approval; individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the transcript.

Staff told the board that a full site-plan review will follow the BOA decision and that DOT review of the Mobile Highway connection is a separate step. The board was also told the next BOA meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2026, when staff anticipates four conditional-use cases on the agenda. Staff said it will follow up with the district office and county commissioner to investigate reported absences by a board member who had missed several meetings.

The BOA’s decision is a final administrative action subject to judicial review under Florida law and Board of County Commission resolution 96-13; an aggrieved party may file an appropriate pleading in a court of competent jurisdiction within 30 days of the BOA decision.

The board adjourned after completing the single case on the agenda.