Board of Adjustment allows expanded holiday and weekend alcohol service at West 9 Mile Road venue

The Escambia County Board of Adjustment on Wednesday approved an amendment to a previously granted conditional use that will let the Pelican at 1420 West 9 Mile Road expand its on‑premise alcohol service to certain holidays and weekend hours when the adjacent Little Prodigy day care is not operating.

Meredith Bush, agent for 9 Mile Phase Plaza LLC, told the board the request seeks only to expand hours “during hours when the school is closed” — listed in the application as holidays recognized by the Escambia County School District and typical Florida school closures such as New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, spring break, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and winter break. “We’re simply asking that you expand the previously granted conditional use to allow that additional service at our facility,” Bush said.

County planner Caleb McCarty reviewed maps, a 500‑foot zoning radius and site photos and recommended approval. McCarty reminded the board the prior case (CU2025‑10) allowed on‑premise alcohol within 1,000 feet of a childcare facility with staggered start times previously approved for package and bar service; the amendment does not change staff’s findings of fact and remains consistent with the land development code.

Board member Willie moved to approve the amendment “according to staff’s findings,” and the motion passed unanimously, 5–0.

The approval was limited to the conditional‑use amendment; any change to the county’s permitting, building code or alcohol licensing requirements would be handled separately by the relevant county departments and state agencies. The board record noted staff recognized the parcel’s heavy commercial/light industrial zoning and that setbacks and other site requirements will be reviewed during development review.