The Bay County Commission voted Feb. 19 to approve a small‑scale comprehensive plan amendment and companion zone change for property at 2716 Canal Avenue in the unincorporated Panama City (former Cedar Grove) area, changing future‑land‑use designation from residential to neighborhood commercial and zoning from R‑1 to C‑1.

Wayne Porter of Community Development told the board the Planning Commission held a public hearing on Dec. 17, 2024, and found the proposed land‑use and zoning change consistent with the comprehensive plan and land‑development regulations. Porter said the parcel is about one‑half acre and lies near existing commercial uses along the Highway 231 corridor; the property is directly adjacent to General Commercial (C‑3) zoning on the east, which the applicant also owns.

Discussion at the meeting centered on access. Commissioners and staff noted an access easement on the north side that has been used to reach a plumbing business and other nonconforming commercial uses; staff said the applicant told them they could not legally obtain access through an adjacent residential parcel and therefore sought to change the parcel they own to C‑1 to provide public access and enable a development order.

Staff and applicants clarified that lay‑down yard uses would require C‑3 zoning and a development order, and that screening and a 25‑foot buffer are required where commercial uses adjoin residential zoning. The applicant’s representative, Chris Kloves, said they will communicate with current tenants using the north parcel and plan to file a development order for the project.

Porter and commissioners also discussed that a legal easement, if confirmed, could satisfy access requirements; engineering and driveway standards would be considered during the development‑order review. The board approved the land‑use and zone change and directed staff to proceed with the development‑order process.

The motion carried on a roll call vote; all commissioners voted yes.