Planning board delays two contested rezonings after public comment; applicants to readvertise

The Escambia County Planning Board on April 7 delayed action on two contested rezoning applications after extended public comment and procedural concerns about notice and parcel mapping.

West Nine Mile Road (Z-2026-10): agent Buddy Page was not present after a reported vehicle accident. The board debated whether to accept testimony in his absence and decided to hear speakers today and continue the case to next month so the applicant can address comments. Speakers were split: Thomas Kilstadius and Hilda Kilarios urged approval and described planned commercial conversion of the corridor; Scott Bell and others urged denial, warning of traffic, congestion and incompatibility with existing neighborhoods. After public comment the board voted to continue the case and directed the applicant to pay readvertising costs if a continuance request is filed.

North Highway 29 (Z-2026-11): attorney Meredith Bush presented a request to rezone a split 15.59-acre portion of a larger parcel to heavy commercial/light industrial (HCLI) and later amended to Commercial. Staff presented mixed findings: HCLI conflicted with the Mixed-Use Suburban future land use but commercial could be supported with conditions. Multiple residents objected to notice clarity, disputed map boundaries for the split parcel, and urged protection of the adjacent 90-home development. One resident said the mailed packet did not clearly show the newly split 15.59-acre area and that photographs in the application failed to show existing nearby homes. "I feel like this makes it seem kind of sketchy... It doesn't give us as homeowners time to prepare adequately," Sharon Coburn told the board.

Board action: An initial motion to approve failed for lack of a second. After debate about advertising and map timing, the applicant agreed to narrow the request to Commercial, readvertise the case, and return for the May planning board meeting; the board voted to continue the case with the applicant bearing advertising costs. Staff warned that the property-appraiser’s maps may take up to 90 days to reflect parcel splits, a timing constraint that contributed to confusion among neighbors.

What’s next: Both matters will return to the planning board at the rescheduled hearing dates; the Highway 29 case will be presented as a Commercial-only request after readvertising. Residents were urged to watch updated agenda materials and staff said it will post clarifying information online and coordinate with the applicant on notices.