P.C. to consider affordable housing plan

PANAMA CITY — The Panama City Commission on Tuesday will have the final reading for ordinances changing zoning and land use for an affordable senior housing development.

The location, at 1615 Florida Ave., is the alternate site for an affordable senior housing development proposed by Royal American and engineer Sean McNeil. The Planning Board voted against granting land use and zoning changes from commercial to mixed use because the area is primarily commercial. The commission rarely goes against Planning Board recommendations.

Commissioners have expressed concerns about a gas company located nearby with potential noise and the chance of a dangerous situation. The development on Florida Avenue would be 80 units.

Royal American also has a development order application at 490 Harrison Ave., the former Marie Hotel. That development would only be 44 units, fitting with proposed changes to the city’s comprehensive plan.

A development order application at 1615 Florida Ave. is on the Planning Board agenda at 4 p.m. Monday.

Also scheduled is a final reading of an ordinance to increase the fees for business licenses. If the cost of the license is not paid on time, owners are subject to a penalty of 10 percent for October and 5 percent for each subsequent month. If the license still is delinquent after 90 days, the license can be revoked. Licenses cost between $50 and $200.

A contract for City Manager Jeff Brown also is on the agenda. The contract contains the six-month probationary period and a salary of $130,000 a year.

In other business, the commission will consider:

– Making three lots at 713 E. 13th St. surplus property.

– Awarding a bid for the driveway of Fire Station #4 to Main Street Construction Services for $37,725.

– Accepting of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant of $22,220 for a crime scene investigation evidence collection vehicle.

– Accepting a management agreement with the Bay Arts Alliance for the Marina Civic Center for $196,000 a year.

The commission meeting is at 8 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 9 Harrison Ave.