PANAMA CITY BEACH — The City Council approved an ordinance Thursday that would ban the construction of walkovers behind homes along Beach Boulevard after listening to neighbors complain about how they hurt their views of the Gulf.
The vote on first reading was 3-2. Councilmen Chuck Curry and John Reichard dissented because they said they believed the ban would infringe on property owners’ rights.
“This is fast-track legislation based on spot zoning for a few people, and I don’t understand it,” Curry said.
The ordinance, which still needs final approval, creates an overlay district along Beach Boulevard where the ban would apply only to a couple dozen lots.
Reichard said he was concerned about the precedent being set.
“Are we going to be faced with a new overlay area anytime somebody doesn’t want one of these put up,” he said.
Reichard said a lot of things built on the beach can obstruct a Gulf view.
“You’re not guaranteed by anything that you have a panoramic view,” he said.
The ordinance states that “given the extraordinary height of the sand dunes south of Beach Boulevard, the council finds that the construction of private elevated dune walkovers will clutter the beach and its views and thus hinder the enjoyment of the beach … ”
Walkovers that already have been built were permitted by the state and cannot be taken down as a result of the new law, city officials said.
Resident Dennis Stoica said a walkover built near his home has reduced its value by $50,000.
“There is nothing we can do with our property,” he said. ‘We’ve already been victimized. I’m speaking frankly for everybody else. Don’t let what happened to us happen to the others.”
In other action Thursday, the council:
Unanimously approved a budget amendment that would increase the salary of 161 of the city’s 251 employees.
The amendment is the first phase of a two-year plan to increase the salaries of most city employees.
The salary increases, which will cost the city $336,459 this fiscal year, were recommended by consulting firm Evergreen Solutions. The firm evaluated the job functions of the city’s employees and compared their salaries to their peers who work for similar municipalities.
The average increase for those getting pay raises would be $2,089 from Feb. 12, when the pay increase kicks in, to the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30.
The actual raises will vary based on employees’ positions. Some workers who had promotions before Feb. 12 would receive retroactive raises.
The maximum raise for any individual employee would be 5 percent or $5,000.
Approved a scooter rental ordinance that combines three other ordinances the council has passed.
California Cycles has sued the city and Bay County over the ordinances and the case is pending.
Among its many requirements for scooter rental businesses are that they carry insurance and require riders to wear vests on city streets and have driver’s licenses. The ordinance also outlines maximum deposits that can be charged: $150 for a moped, $300 for an electric car or dune buggy and $500 for motorcycles.