Planning Commission backs rezoning of 327 Malaga Place despite neighbor concerns

The Bay County Planning Commission on July 21 recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve a zone change for a 0.2-acre parcel at 327 Malaga Place, returning the lot from R2 (single-family/duplex) to C2 (Plaza Commercial).

Wayne, a county planning staff member, told the commission the parcel previously had a C2 designation and is located in a corridor of general commercial uses along Panama City Beach Parkway. "Based on this County land development regulations and consistent with the surrounding area, it's therefore recommended that the commission find the proposed zone change application consistent with the comprehensive plan and land development regulations and forward a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to approve the proposed zone change," Wayne said.

Applicant representative Derek McCarty of North Star Engineering described the site as a "residential island" completely surrounded by commercial property and said rezoning would align the parcel with adjoining commercial uses. "There is no residential property touching this parcel, so it's an island," McCarty said.

Nearby landowner Charles Fisher testified in opposition, saying the change could devalue his daughter's property immediately behind the parcel at 19910 Bonita Drive. "We don't know what kind of business or what's gonna go in there…if they think that's the best way to do it," Fisher said, urging the commission to weigh potential impacts on neighboring homeowners.

Commissioners debated briefly, then moved and seconded the staff recommendation. The commission conducted a roll-call vote that the transcript records as affirmative from the present members; the commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the County Commission for final action.

The commission did not receive written or recorded staff evidence of required variances; staff noted the parcel meets bulk regulations under the Land Development Regulations for C2 zoning. Two emailed objections were provided to the commission in advance of the hearing and considered as part of the record, Wayne said.

Next steps: the Planning Commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the Bay County Board of County Commissioners for a final decision at a future meeting.