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Commission approves 30‑year Saint Andrews Bay Yacht Club agreement; one commissioner abstains
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Summary
After staff described a 30‑year development agreement governing operations, parking and potential dock expansion, the commission approved the agreement with a 4–0 vote; Commissioner Hughes abstained, citing potential appearance of impropriety.
The Panama City Commission approved on April 28 a 30‑year development agreement with the Saint Andrews Bay Yacht Club to govern redevelopment and ongoing operation of the club’s facilities at 218 and 212 Bunkers Cove Road.
Staff said the extended term was proposed because the agreement covers both construction and operational issues, including vehicle/boat/trailer parking, sailing center operations and potential dock and boat ramp expansion. Attorney Zimmerman noted that if commissioners wanted changes after tonight they could continue the item to allow absent attorneys to review edits.
Michael Wynne, immediate past commodore of the yacht club, spoke in favor of the agreement and described two years of negotiation with neighbors and community partners to reach terms meant to respect the cove and its neighbors: “This agreement that is before you represents, two years of substantive negotiation with our neighbors and with our community partners,” Wynne said, and asked the commission to approve the agreement as being in the community’s interest.
Commissioner Hughes announced an abstention before the vote to avoid even the appearance of impropriety relating to his relationship with the yacht club; the roll call reflected Hughes as abstaining and the motion passed 4–0 with one abstention. The commission’s clerk recorded the motion and result and staff noted the agreement would govern operations going forward.
Next steps: staff will finalize documentation and execute the agreement per the commission’s approval.
