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Council backs staff direction to seek planners to refresh Mexico Beach vision and comp plan tie-ins
Summary
After a multi-decade review, council members agreed to direct staff to issue an RFQ for a planning firm to consolidate 2003, 2015 and 2024 planning work, tie the vision to the LDR/comp plan, and provide ongoing quarterly updates to keep the plan active.
Council members and members of the public spent a significant portion of the March 24 meeting on city vision and planning documents. Mel presented an abstract of past plans (2003, 2015, 2014 data study and 2024 vision), noting recurring priorities such as pedestrian safety, parking, drainage and dune protection and urging the council to keep goals tied to budgets.
"We are community-driven, sustainable small town with a strongly connected citizenry," Mel read from the updated vision and said such language should guide decisions going forward. Resident Lisa Logan urged the council to "put a plan in writing" and include it in each budget so future councils do not lose continuity. Council members broadly supported giving the city administrator authority to prepare an RFQ to find a planning firm that understands small-town coastal contexts and to integrate the LDR and comprehensive plan work.
Councilors emphasized citizen engagement and ongoing monitoring: several speakers asked that progress updates be placed on each meeting agenda so projects and assigned responsibilities remain visible. Staff were directed to return to council with RFQ language, possible firms to consider and a recommended timeline for stakeholder workshops.
