Panama City Beach Boards Weigh $1.25M Boardwalk Project, New Development Rules
Panama City Beach officials had a full schedule over the past two weeks, with the City Council and Planning Board taking up millions in construction contracts, land-use decisions, and proposed ordinance changes. Because meeting minutes have not yet been published, outcomes for these items are not confirmed; the following reflects what was on each agenda.
City Council — July 7 and July 9
The City Council was scheduled to vote on a consent agenda item authorizing a $1,250,000.00 agreement with Southern Construction Service, Inc. for boardwalk rehabilitation at Conservation Park. Also on the agenda were two other construction contracts: an agreement with H.A. Contracting Corp. for a police K-9 training facility (Resolution No. 26-131) and an agreement with ReliantSouth Construction for pickleball courts at Frank Brown Park (Resolution No. 26-132).
The council was set to hold a quasi-judicial public hearing on a large conditional use application for Bonny Read Fun Park at 16061 Panama City Beach Parkway. A second reading and public hearing was also scheduled for Ordinance No. 1685, which would amend city code regarding sexual offenders and sexual predators.
Planning Board — July 8
The Planning Board was scheduled to consider a Traditional Neighborhood Overlay District (TNOD) application covering 29.2 acres at 12610 Front Beach Road (Parcel 34068-000-000), filed by GE/Front Beach, LLC and Blu Onx North Florida, LLC. A TNOD is a land-use designation that shapes how a neighborhood can develop.
Frank White requested a variance to reduce the required 15-foot side-street setback to 8 feet 9 inches at 100 E. Sonata Circle (Parcel 33934-040-000).
The board was also set to continue consideration of an ordinance amendment to the Land Development Code establishing regulations for food-truck courts, an item carried over from May and June meetings. A discussion on regulating private pickleball courts in residential neighborhoods was also on the agenda.
City Council — July 17
The council's most recent scheduled meeting included a consent agenda with several Utilities Department purchases: a tilt-bed trailer for $34,194, two Atlas Copco pumps for $133,903, and a $381,640 task order with HR Green, Inc. for construction inspection services (Resolution 26-140). A professional services agreement with Florida Economic Advisors, LLC for eminent domain consulting was listed at up to $50,000 (Resolution 26-139). A $60,000 counteroffer to Captain Jack's Family Buffet was also on the consent agenda.
The regular agenda included adoption of revised planning and zoning fees (Resolution 26-141) and a second reading of a vacation-rental fee ordinance. Two first-reading ordinances were scheduled: Ordinance 1687, which would prohibit data centers and large-load customers as land uses, and Ordinance 1686, which would regulate micromobility devices including electric bicycles.
Additional resolutions on the agenda covered historic lake maintenance, public-works building upgrades, strategic planning, and pier access. A discussion item on a roundabout gateway feature was also listed.
What This Means for Residents
The Conservation Park boardwalk project, at $1.25 million, is the largest single construction item across the two weeks and would affect a public recreation area. The proposed TNOD for 29.2 acres on Front Beach Road and the conditional use hearing for Bonny Read Fun Park both involve development along the city's main corridor. Proposed ordinances on data centers, micromobility devices, food-truck courts, and vacation-rental fees could shape local rules residents interact with daily.
Coming Up
No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official calendar for newly scheduled meetings or rescheduled items, as minutes from the July meetings may confirm outcomes of the votes listed above.