Port St. Joe adopts Butler Bay Road PUD, limits parcel to 15 single‑family lots

The Port St. Joe City Commission on May 7 approved Ordinance 609, creating the Butler Bay Road Planned Unit Development and setting the 6‑acre parcel at 15 single‑family residential lots.

Ray Greer, the applicant's representative, told the commission the original 2007 PUD covered 26 acres and allowed up to 30 residential units on the 6‑acre portion. Greer said the revised plan reduces density, adds a service road and a stormwater pond, and preserves a buffer of existing landscaping along Highway 98. "By reducing the lot sizes, we're able to get a service road in, put a stormwater pond in, provide the buffer, and then put 15 residential lots," Greer said.

Commissioners discussed a minor ordinance revision to remove multifamily language and set the parcel as single‑family only. The mayor said the change could be included in the motion for adoption; a motion to approve the second reading and adopt the ordinance with that revision was made, seconded and approved by the commission.

The ordinance text read into the record designates and establishes the Butler Bay Road PUD zoning district, adopts regulatory requirements to supersede conflicting provisions of the City of Port St. Joe zoning code, and provides for severability and an effective date.

Why it matters: The revision reduces the maximum residential density allowed on that parcel compared with the prior PUD and commits the developer to on‑site stormwater and buffering measures intended to limit frontage impacts on Highway 98.

What happens next: The ordinance was adopted on second reading at the May 7 meeting; the clerk read the ordinance title and provisions. Further development or platting will proceed under the PUD standards approved by the commission.