Mexico Beach planning board recommends City Council approve Seaside Market development order with deed and stormwater conditions

The Mexico Beach Planning and Zoning Council voted Oct. 6 to recommend that the City Council approve a development order for the proposed Seaside Market, but only if the applicant delivers an executed deed, provides a grease‑trap agreement and installs pervious pavers to address impervious‑surface limits.

Staff told the council that a planner’s report identified several outstanding items in the application, including a deed that had been executed but not yet delivered and an impervious‑surface calculation the planner said came to 90.89%, slightly above the city’s 90% maximum. The planner said a prior July 9, 2024 variance permitted zero south‑side setbacks only on condition that the overlapping strip be deeded to the city.

Lance Lawson, an engineer with Southeastern Consulting Engineers representing the applicant (George W. Duran Family Limited Partnership), described the project and the applicant’s proposed fixes. He said the parcel is about 0.3 acres and the proposed building footprint is about 10,127.77 square feet; water and gravity sewer are available on site. Lawson said the developer agreed to add compact and parallel parking on the west side and to deed a narrow strip of land to the city and install permeable pavers so the parent parcel remains below the 90% impervious limit. “We have an acceptable bid that’s good until October 23, and we have been very directly told these prices will not be held after October 23,” Lawson said, urging timely resolution.

Council members asked staff and the applicant about the status of the deed. Staff and the applicant said the deed documents are executed but originals had not yet been delivered for recording; they stated the developer will deliver the deed as a condition of final approval. The planner recommended addressing lighting and signage at the building‑permit stage and suggested the council consider an overlay district to clarify parking rules for businesses inside the Mexico Beach Shopping Center.

During board discussion, a resident and several council members raised concerns about traffic flow and parking on 32nd Street and within the shopping center, noting peak‑season congestion. Staff said a traffic study is not required for interior shopping‑center sites, but acknowledged the board’s concerns and that shared shopping‑center parking spaces are available.

A council member moved that the board recommend approval to City Council with the conditions that the deed be delivered, the grease‑trap agreement be executed/delivered, and pervious pavers be installed in lieu of the current concrete sidewalk; landscaping will be negotiated prior to final approvals. The motion passed on a roll‑call recommendation with all present members voting yes.

The Planning and Zoning Council’s action is advisory; City Council will consider the development order and the conditions recommended by the board at a future meeting. The board set its next meeting for Oct. 13 at 6 p.m.