PANAMA CITY — The Panama City Housing Authority has withdrawn its plans for a senior affordable housing development on Frankford Avenue, according to a letter to the City Commission.
"Recent meetings with Mayor Greg Brudnicki and Commissioner John Kady have provided insight to the importance of controlled growth and planning of Panama City," the letter stated.
City Commissioner Mike Nichols confirmed at the Panama City Planning Board meeting Monday the withdrawal is permanent.
"We want to thank the Housing Authority for listening to the citizens and listening to the commission, what our concerns are, not just for Frankford Avenue but for the entire city," Nichols said.
Several residents of the planned location had objected to the proposal, saying there were too many apartments in the area.
A representative of the Housing Authority could not be reached Monday night.
Also Monday, the Planning Board discussed land regulation changes that would affect the downtown district and the U.S. 98 corridor, which would extend from the railroad tracks at the port to State 77.
One proposed change was restricting 22 various uses, including adult entertainment, auto sales, window tinting, car washes, check cashing, perpetual yard sales, funeral homes, storage facilities and palm readers. All existing businesses would be grandfathered in.
"Are we lord and master?" Planning Board member Carl Russ said. "We are dictating to them."
Board member Mary Sittman proposed extending the U.S. 98 corridor south on Harrison Avenue to Eighth Street where the downtown district starts.
"Why aren't we improving access to downtown?" Sittman said.
Planning Director Mike Lane said his primary goal with the changes was to address the aesthetic appeal of the city, although only the U.S. 98 corridor addressed design elements.
"We're now in the tourism business, whether we like it or not," Lane said. "We have very little control over aesthetics. Surrounding communities have adopted higher standards."
The Planning Board told Lane to work on the downtown and U.S. 98 corridor sections and bring the changes back at a subsequent meeting.