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Developer wins approval for 28‑slip Maselina Bayou marina despite neighborhood objections
Summary
The Panama City Planning Board voted 5-0 to approve a major development application for a 28‑slip commercial marina and event center after an administrative-law-judge recommended order and multiple state and federal permits were cited by the applicant. Neighbors urged delay and raised environmental and notice concerns.
The Panama City Planning Board on March [date] approved a major development application for a 28‑slip commercial marina and attached event center on Maselina Bayou, voting 5‑0 after more than an hour of testimony and public comment. Applicant Ronald Carol told the board he has "been waiting over six years" for approval and asked for a decision tonight.
Carol said state and federal review is complete and that an administrative law judge recommended issuance of a consolidated environmental resources permit for the project. "We provided the Department of Environmental Protection with reasonable assurances that the proposed project meets the applicable standards," he said, summarizing the judge's written recommendation and noting he has obtained a submerged‑land lease and Army Corps reviews.
Cypress Environmental consultant Bethany Wac told the board the project includes two proprietary authorizations in the state permit and that the docking portion requires a submerged‑land lease because the marina would be revenue‑generating. "This project is allowed under the current code and does not request variances," she said.
Several residents spoke in opposition. Jim Dake said opponents were taken by surprise by the hearing date and urged postponement to allow a fuller presentation, saying the marina "will be a total debacle to Maselina Bayou." Another speaker questioned the applicant's claim that there are "10 other marinas" in the bayou and warned of impacts to historic properties and neighborhood character.
Elizabeth Moore of Ankor Consulting, the civil designer, told the board the upland portion meets the land‑development code and that similar marina structures exist in the bayou. Other supporters emphasized economic and recreational benefits, saying the project could support downtown businesses and provide new waterfront access.
Staff recommended approval conditioned on issuance of a commercial development order and satisfaction of technical‑review committee requirements; the board moved and voted to approve the application, 5‑0.
The board did not add additional local conditions at the hearing. The next steps include finalizing the development order and ensuring all permitting conditions and technical requirements are met before construction. The board gave the applicant leave to proceed toward the city processes required by the development order and the other agencies that reviewed the project.
