Residents appeal planned expansion of Calypso Towers

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Residents opposed to the construction of a third tower at Calypso Towers have filed an appeal with the City Council of a Planning Board decision to allow the project to proceed.

Council members will hear the appeal at 4 p.m. Feb. 12 before their regular meeting.

The Panama City Beach Planning Board in December made a decision that could pave the way for a new 250-unit condominium on the north side of Front Beach Road.

The board denied an appeal of a development order filed by people trying to halt the tower at 15928 Front Beach Road. Some residents who live in Calypso Tower I and Calypso Tower II were concerned Calypso III would generate too much traffic. They also were concerned about inadequate parking that would worsen stormwater runoff problems.

The third tower would be on the north side of the busy road. The other two are on the south side.

City officials said at the Planning Board meeting that adding to the beach population should not be a factor in considering the appeal.

Several Calypso condo owners have put their arguments in writing. 

“The Calypso beachfront footage is currently crowded with guests from 396 units and will not support another 1,000-1,500 people without additional Calypso beach overcrowding, without additional overcrowding of the current complex and without additional traffic problems on Front Beach Road,” Mae Meyer says in a letter to the city’s planning department that is part of the appeal.

She recommends a “total impact study to determine the long-term environmental issues facing the city of Panama City Beach, and if this large addition is in the best long-term interest of the current and future owners of Calypso Towers, the city of Panama City Beach and the current and future guests of the Panama City Beach.”

The appeal also states that several developers who submitted proposals to purchase the Calypso Tower III site were told they were restricted to building 11 floors by a city ordinance that took effect in October 2013 that restricts the height of the buildings on the north side of Front Beach Road.

“The new development group has been told they may build 22-story Calypso Tower III as was originally approved at least 10 years ago using an impact study that was completed 10 to 15 years ago,” Meyer’s letter states.

She also says that since that study was completed, more condos and Pier Park have been built, which has added “multiple traffic and beach population situations which should be addressed prior to allowing additional development on the north side of Front Beach Road.”

Toni Traina, who also owns a unit at Calypso Tower,  states in a letter to the planning department that the traffic from the third tower is a big concern.

“During the season, this road is currently backed up for miles due to Pier Park,” he states. “The entrance to and exit from the Calypso parking garage will be very congested and an additional safety hazard.”