Planning board grants conditional final aesthetic approval for 7-story, 227-unit development at 50 S. 9th Ave

The City of Pensacola Planning Board on April 14 granted final aesthetic approval to a proposed 7-story, 227-unit residential project at 50 South/9th Avenue, with conditions requiring an abbreviated follow-up review of the north and east facades and additional attention to mechanical screening and site safety.

Staff member Greg Harding summarized the application from CBA Architects and noted the project previously passed conceptual review. Architect Tuan Tran (CBA Architects) described a main seven-story building over two levels of podium parking, a separate clubhouse with tenant amenities located above flood elevations, and design revisions intended to respond to prior board comments — including pushing the building away from the sidewalk to allow more landscaping and adding a canopy and seating area at the 9th Avenue frontage.

Board members praised the packet’s renderings and landscape material but repeatedly raised concerns about the east and north facades facing the adjacent parking lot and the visibility from Bayfront Parkway. Questions focused on the appearance of aluminum paneling, the ground-level placement of condensers, pedestrian experience along 9th Avenue, and whether proposed landscaping would provide adequate screening. The applicant said condensers were required by equipment distance constraints and that some units would be roof-mounted; he proposed increased planting and art-wall opportunities for the south elevation.

Nearby residents and business owners offered public comment. Charles Green (Aragon neighborhood) asked whether the project contemplated additional traffic mitigation; staff said traffic review was not a criterion for this board and that a traffic study was not required. Paul Tamborough, who lives across 9th Avenue and identifies as a fact-finder for the Aragon Homeowners Association, urged the board to consider Gateway Redevelopment District goals — including bay-view preservation, lot coverage limits and visual compatibility with adjacent historic districts. Developer Zack Gibbs emphasized the need for financial feasibility and said the ownership group worked with the CRA and design consultants to balance feasibility and aesthetics.

Committee member S10 moved to approve the design conditioned on an abbreviated review of the north and east facades; S8 seconded. Committee member S2 offered and the board accepted an amendment to examine the condensers and the control/safety between the amenity building and the main structure. Mr. Grundhofer (S6) agreed to be the abbreviated reviewer; staff will route the submission to him and confirm whether it meets the board’s intent. The amended motion carried unanimously.

The approval is final for this board; staff said the abbreviated review will be handled internally and that no further full-board hearing will be required unless the submission fails to meet the conditions. The applicant may proceed with the next administrative steps.