Bay County approves four quasi‑judicial land‑use and zoning changes after public hearings

Bay County commissioners on July 21 held quasi‑judicial public hearings and approved four separate land‑use and zoning requests covering a mix of commercial rezones, residential redesignations and a change intended to allow higher-density residential structures.

Wayne Porter of the planning staff summarized that the Bay County Planning Commission recommended approval for each item after hearings on June 23. For 7132 Highway 77 (PLDPA 20260132 / PLZCA 202600133), staff recommended changing approximately 1.1 acres from residential to general commercial and rezoning part of a 6.6‑acre parcel to C‑3. Porter and the planning commission recommended conditions adopted previously for the parent parcel: no commercial access from Rebecca Boulevard and installation of an 8‑foot privacy fence. Applicant representative Christopher Klubbs said the applicant accepts the restrictions and noted two 11,000‑square‑foot warehouses already on the property. The board voted to approve the amendment and adopt related ordinances.

For 13960 Sunrise Lane (PLDPA 20260134 / PLZCA 20260135), staff recommended redesignating approximately 12 acres from agriculture to rural residential and rezoning AG‑1 to R‑2 to allow future lot splits for single‑family homes. Applicant Josh Bridges said the request is for future recreational single‑family lots; staff and the commission recommended approval and the board adopted the ordinance after a unanimous vote.

For 2519 North Bonita Avenue (PLZCA 20260114), staff recommended rezoning 0.6 acres from R‑4 manufactured housing to R‑3 (duplex/tri/quadplex). Gary Stroop of BGM Equities told the board his firm intends to build two quadplexes (eight units total) for the VA VASH program to house veterans and confirmed setbacks and drainage requirements have been accounted for. Staff noted R‑3 allows up to 15 dwelling units per acre (versus 6 in R‑4) and that the change would prohibit mobile home parks allowed under the current zoning. The board approved the rezoning.

For 1624 Moreland Road (PLZCA 20260114), owner Tara Shuff said the parcel is already surrounded by commercial zoning and the requested C‑2 plaza commercial zoning reflects the corridor’s character; staff had no public opposition to report and recommended approval, which the board granted.

All four items were approved by roll call, with conditions described in staff reports applied where recommended. No substantive public opposition was recorded during the board hearings; staff noted a small number of emailed objections to two items at the Planning Commission level but no speakers opposed at the board hearing.