Escambia County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Escambia boards review opioid funds, subdivisions, and land-use cases; no decisions published

In the past two weeks, Escambia County boards met on opioid abatement funding, subdivision approvals, and land-use requests, but no final decisions have been published. All recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet available. The most consequential items under review include a YMCA partnership amendment, an 86-lot subdivision, and five cases before the Board of Adjustment.

Opioid Abatement Board

On Aug. 10, the Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board considered a project amendment for the YMCA to add Bright Bridge Ministries as a partner for the FY25-26 award. The board also reviewed budget reports, heard updates from FY24-25 and FY25-26 awardees (including Ministry Village at Olive, EMS CORE, and Hope Above Fear), and discussed the timeline for the FY26-27 Notice of Funding Availability. No votes were recorded.

Development Review Committee

The Development Review Committee met twice. On Aug. 12, it reviewed two final applications: a 4-lot subdivision at 5700 Hwy 99 and a parking lot at 933 N. New Warrington Rd., plus six pre-applications. On Aug. 19, it reviewed six final applications, including the 86-lot Goldenvale subdivision at 2500 Kingsport Ave., and four pre-applications. No decisions were listed.

Board of Adjustment

On Aug. 19, the Board of Adjustment heard five cases: a drive-through and drive-thru sign at 875 N Navy Blvd, a rear setback variance at 2159 Antillies Dr., a restaurant use at 3110 Michigan Ave., and a land clearing debris facility off Millview Rd. The board also approved minutes from its July 15 meeting. No decisions were recorded.

Other boards

• **Marine Advisory Committee** (Aug. 10): Discussed the Lionfish Event scheduled for Sept. 25-26 at Plaza DeLuna and the Bayou Chico Cleanup, plus reef program updates.
• **Tourist Development Council** (Aug. 18): Reviewed a funding request from the African-American Heritage Society and an update on John R. Jones Park.
• **Board of Electrical Examiners** (Aug. 18): Reviewed three Master Electrician applications, including two reciprocity requests.

Coming up

• **Value Adjustment Board** (Aug. 24): Will consider appointing private counsel and special magistrates for the 2026 tax year, confirm a $50 filing fee resolution, and approve hearing dates of Oct. 28 and Nov. 2-3.
• **Development Review Committee** (Aug. 26): Will review final applications for Kingsfield Manor Phase 1, Bella Terra Master Plan (350 lots), and Renee Terrace Minor Subdivision, plus pre-applications for Mick Family Subdivision and Olive Shotgun Homes.

Escambia County boards take up data center ban, rezoning, and contractor cases

Escambia County boards and committees met last week on a range of items, including a proposed ban on large-scale data centers, rezoning requests, contractor licensing, and development reviews. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no final decisions are available.

County Commission considers data center ban and housing contracts

At its Aug. 6 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners held public hearings on a proposed ordinance to ban large-scale data centers in unincorporated Escambia County. The board also considered operational permits for two borrow pits: HHH Borrow Pit at 4000 Rocky Branch Road and Molino Dirt and Sand Borrow Pit at 1600 Highway 97. Contracts for housing reconstruction were on the agenda: Walther Custom Homes, LLC for work at 2013 North "Q" Street ($192,879) and 2711 North Hayne Street ($184,286). The board also reviewed an agreement with the Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc. for the Rural Elderly Assistance Program II ($62,500). First public hearings were held for land use changes on Jacks Branch Road, Well Line Road, Frank Reeder Road, and Nine Mile Road. No votes or decisions have been published.

Planning Board hears rezoning requests

On Aug. 4, the Planning Board reviewed two rezoning cases: Case Z-2026-13, to rezone an 11.90-acre property at 4600 Twin Oaks Drive from MDR to HDMU, and Case Z-2026-15, to rezone a 6.40-acre property at 700 BLK Mobile Hwy from MDR to LDMU. The board also had on its agenda approval of minutes from its July 2026 meeting. Minutes from this meeting are pending.

Contractor Competency Board reviews licenses and disciplinary cases

The Contractor Competency Board met Aug. 5 to review contractor applications from Adolphus Haynes, Richard Winfield, Brandon Devine, and Jansen Bodiford. It also held a probable cause hearing for Jamal A. Al Jazra (Richbourg Contracting, LLC) regarding 404 E Sunset Ave., and a disciplinary hearing for Marcus G. McCoy (Maverick Demolition of NW FL Inc.) regarding 3420 Mobile Hwy. No outcomes have been published.

Development Review Committee reviews site plans

The Development Review Committee met twice last week. On July 29, it reviewed final applications for Kingsfield Manor Phase 1 at 2651 W Kingsfield Rd and St. Johns Admin-Classroom Building at 303 S. Navy Blvd, along with pre-applications for five projects. On Aug. 5, it reviewed final applications for Wild Fork Foods at 6810 N. Davis Hwy, Chick-Fil-A at 1710 E. Nine Mile Rd, Waffle House #1096 Rebuild at 17352 Perdido Key Dr, and Reed Reserve at 5520 Frank Reeder Road, plus a pre-application for Little LN Housing at 2211 Little Lane. Minutes are pending.

Workshop on Pensacola Bay Center

The Committee of the Whole held a workshop Aug. 6 to discuss the Pensacola Bay Center. Staff presented information and the board discussed it. No action items were listed.

Coming up

• **Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board, Aug. 10:** will consider a project amendment for the YMCA to add Bright Bridge Ministries as a partner, review budget reports, and hear updates from awardees.
• **Marine Advisory Committee, Aug. 10:** will discuss the Lionfish Event (Sept. 25-26 at Plaza DeLuna), Bayou Chico Cleanup, and reef program updates.
• **Development Review Committee, Aug. 12:** will review two final applications (Paker Mnor Subdivision at 5700 Hwy 99, 4 lots; La Casita Parking Lot at 933 N. New Warrington Rd) and six pre-applications.

Escambia County Roundup: Sales Tax Referendum on Agenda; CRA Grants Listed; Minutes Not Yet Published

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners was scheduled July 23 to vote on placing a ten-year extension of the one-cent Local Option Sales Tax on the November 3, 2026 ballot. All recent meetings below are listed as agenda only — minutes have not yet been published, so confirmed outcomes are not available.

Sales Tax Referendum and Ordinances

The Board's July 23 agenda included adopting an ordinance directing the Supervisor of Elections to place a referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to extend the one-cent Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) for ten years, covering 2029–2038. Additional agenda items included adopting a parks-code amendment (Chapter 74, Article II, Section 74-36(2)), adopting the Iron Rock Phase 3 Subdivision Street Lighting MSBU ordinance with a Florida Power and Light contract, and public hearings on petitions to vacate alleyways and rights-of-way in Oakcrest, The Cedars, Talbert Street, and a 20-foot easement. The agenda also listed a review of an Environmental Code Enforcement lien-relief request for 315 Weis Lane, which staff had denied by criteria.

CRA Grants and Lien Cancellations

The Community Redevelopment Agency's July 23 consent agenda listed residential roof program lien cancellations for 23 Cary Memorial Drive ($11,320) and 702 E. Johnson Avenue ($14,200). New roof replacement grants were scheduled for 111 Alice Street ($9,248), 8207 North Palafox Street ($13,456), and 711 West Jordan Street ($9,496). Residential rehab grant agreements for five properties ranged from $725 to $10,000. An amendment to a rehab grant for 8112 Six Pence Drive would reduce the grant from $9,477 to $6,632 and change the scope to roof replacement only. The agenda also included authorization for the County Administrator to execute CRA Grant Program documents.

Budget Workshop

The Board held a budget workshop July 23 covering an overview of the budget, reviews of constitutional officers (Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Sheriff), a medical examiner update, a reduction review, and a department-by-department review. No formal actions were listed.

Development Review Committee

The DRC met July 22 and July 29. The July 22 agenda included a final DRC application for Heron's Landing Townhomes Phase 2 at 951 Dog Track Rd and pre-application meetings for Scenic Hills Repositioning (8891 Burning Tree Rd), Perdido Key Medical Spa (13500 BLK Perdido Key Dr), Murphy Oil #26065 (2500 Wilde Lake Blvd), and ST1 LLC (6698 N Palafox St, Community Redevelopment Area). The July 29 agenda included final applications for Kingsfield Manor Phase 1 (2651 W Kingsfield Rd) and St. Johns Admin-Classroom Building (303 S. Navy Blvd), plus pre-application meetings for Cantonment Drop & Swap (239 S Highway 97), N. T ST. Multi-family (1201 N T Street), and Highway 29 Maxi-Warehouse (394 S Highway 29).

Public Forum

The Board's July 23 Gary Sansing Public Forum agenda included a call to order, rules for speakers, and an accessibility notice. No specific policy decisions or contracts were listed.

Coming Up

• **Aug. 4 — Planning Board:** Two rezoning cases — Z-2026-13 (11.90 acres at 4600 Twin Oaks Drive, MDR to HDMU) and Z-2026-15 (6.40 acres at 700 BLK Mobile Hwy, MDR to LDMU).
• **Aug. 5 — Contractor Competency Board:** Applications for Adolphus Haynes, Richard Winfield, Brandon Devine, and Jansen Bodiford; probable cause hearing for Jamal A. Al Jazra (Richbourg Contracting, LLC) re 404 E Sunset Ave; disciplinary hearing for Marcus G. McCoy (Maverick Demolition of NW FL Inc.) re 3420 Mobile Hwy.
• **Aug. 5 — DRC:** Final applications for Wild Fork Foods (6810 N. Davis Hwy), Chick-Fil-A (1710 E. Nine Mile Rd), Waffle House #1096 Rebuild (17352 Perdido Key Dr), and Reed Reserve (5520 Frank Reeder Road).
• **Aug. 6 — Committee of the Whole Workshop:** Discussion of the Pensacola Bay Center, 9:00 AM, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building.
• **Aug. 6 — Board of County Commissioners:** Proposed ordinance banning large-scale data centers in unincorporated Escambia County; reconstruction contracts for Walther Custom Homes, LLC at 2013 North "Q" Street ($192,879) and 2711 North Hayne Street ($184,286); agreement with Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc. for Rural Elderly Assistance Program II ($62,500); operational permit requests for HHH Borrow Pit (4000 Rocky Branch Road) and Molino Dirt and Sand Borrow Pit (1600 Highway 97); first public hearings for land use changes on Jacks Branch Road, Well Line Road, Frank Reeder Road, and Nine Mile Road.

Escambia County Board Set to Vote on 10-Year Sales Tax Extension; CRA Grants on Agenda

Escambia County commissioners were scheduled this week to vote on placing a 10-year extension of the one-cent Local Option Sales Tax on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. The item appeared on the July 23 Board of County Commissioners agenda. Because meeting minutes have not yet been published, the outcome of that vote is not confirmed in the available record.

All meetings covered in this roundup are listed as "agenda only" — minutes have not been published, so what follows reflects what boards and committees were scheduled to consider, not confirmed decisions.

Board of County Commissioners

The July 23 agenda included adoption of an ordinance directing the Supervisor of Elections to place a referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to extend the one-cent Local Option Sales Tax for ten years, covering 2029 through 2038.

Also on the agenda: adopting an ordinance amending Chapter 74, Article II, Section 74-36(2) of the Parks and Recreation code; adopting the Iron Rock Phase 3 Subdivision Street Lighting MSBU ordinance and approving a contract with Florida Power and Light; and public hearings on petitions to vacate alleyways and rights-of-way in Oakcrest, The Cedars, Talbert Street, and a 20-foot easement.

The board was also scheduled to review an Environmental Code Enforcement lien-relief request for 315 Weis Lane, which staff had denied by criteria.

A separate Gary Sansing Public Forum was scheduled with no specific policy decisions or contracts listed.

Community Redevelopment Agency

The CRA's July 23 consent agenda included residential grant agreements and lien cancellations:

• Roof program lien cancellations: 23 Cary Memorial Drive ($11,320) and 702 E. Johnson Avenue ($14,200).
• New roof replacement grants: 111 Alice Street ($9,248), 8207 North Palafox Street ($13,456), and 711 West Jordan Street ($9,496).
• Residential rehab grants for five properties, ranging from $725 to $10,000.
• An amendment to a rehab grant for 8112 Six Pence Drive, reducing the grant from $9,477 to $6,632 and changing the scope to roof replacement only.

The agenda also included authorization for the County Administrator to execute documents related to CRA Grant Programs.

Development Review Committee

Two DRC meetings were scheduled. On July 15, the committee was set to review final applications for World Gym at 1200 N Hwy 29, Lost Key C10 at 700 Blk Lost Key Drive (26 lots), Wild Fork Foods at 6810 N. Davis Hwy, Hamilton Hall Townhomes at 7722 Kipling Street (36 lots), and Hancock Meadow at 350 Meadow Lane (34 lots).

On July 22, the committee was scheduled to vote on the final DRC application for Heron's Landing Townhomes Phase 2 at 951 Dog Track Rd. Pre-application meetings were listed for Scenic Hills Repositioning at 8891 Burning Tree Rd, Perdido Key Medical Spa at 13500 BLK Perdido Key Dr, Murphy Oil #26065 at 2500 Wilde Lake Blvd., and ST1 LLC at 6698 N Palafox St.

Board of Adjustment

The July 15 agenda included a public hearing on Case CU-2026-17, a conditional use request to allow horses at 5570 N Blue Angel Pkwy and 5404 Blue Angel Pkwy. The applicants are Derek and Nancy Brown, agents for owners Stanley and Deborah Barnard. The board was also scheduled to accept Development Services Staff Findings-of-Fact into evidence and approve minutes from June 17, 2026.

Marine Advisory Committee

The July 13 agenda included discussion of a draft ordinance amending Chapter 102, Article VI, to address derelict vessels and enforce state statutes on vessels at risk and long-term anchoring. The committee was also set to approve minutes from June 8, 2026 and review the 2026 symposia calendar, including August 10 Diving Safety and October 12 Waterways Conditions.

Budget Workshops

A July 23 budget workshop was scheduled as informational, with no formal actions listed. Topics included a budget overview, review of constitutional officers (Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Sheriff), a medical examiner update, a reduction review, and a department-by-department review covering Animal Welfare, Building Services, Public Safety, and others.

Coming up

• **Development Review Committee**, July 29: Final applications for Kingsfield Manor Phase 1 at 2651 W Kingsfield Rd and St. Johns Admin-Clssroom Building at 303 S. Navy Blvd. Pre-application meetings include Cantonment Drop & Swap at 239 S Highway 97, N. T ST. Multi-family at 1201 N T Street, and Highway 29 Maxi-Warehouse at 394 S Highway 29.

County Board to Vote on 10-Year Sales Tax Extension; Recent Meeting Outcomes Not Yet Available

Escambia County's most consequential item this week is still ahead: on July 23, the Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to vote on an ordinance directing the Supervisor of Elections to place a referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot to extend the one-cent Local Option Sales Tax for ten years, covering 2029 through 2038. The same meeting includes public hearings on petitions to vacate alleyways and rights-of-way in Oakcrest, The Cedars, Talbert Street, and a 20-foot easement, plus a parks-code amendment and a street-lighting ordinance for Iron Rock Phase 3.

Recent Meetings: Outcomes Not Yet Published

All six recent meetings on file — Planning Board (July 7, two sessions), Development Review Committee (July 8 and July 15), Marine Advisory Committee (July 13), and Board of Adjustment (July 15) — are listed as agenda-only with minutes not yet published. That means no votes, approvals, or denials can be confirmed from the available record. What follows is what was scheduled for discussion or action; outcomes remain unknown.

Planning Board: Large Land-Use Changes on the Table

The Planning Board scheduled two public hearings on July 7. One covered a rezoning request, Case Z-2026-12, to rezone 160.07 acres at 1700 Blk Jacks Branch Rd from Agricultural (1 dwelling unit per 20 acres) to Rural Residential (1 du per 4 acres). The same hearing included proposed amendments to the 2030 Future Land Use Map:

• Case OSP-2026-02: Change 160.07 acres on 1700 Blk Jacks Branch Rd to Agriculture Residential.
• Case OSP-2026-01: Change 801.78 acres on 900 Blk Jacks Branch Rd and Well Line Road to Mixed-Use Suburban.
• LSA-2026-01: Change 538.42 acres on Frank Reeder Road and Nine Mile Road to Mixed-Use Urban.
• Review of ordinance language for Mixed-Use Urban and Commercial categories in Outlying Landed Field 8.

The board's role is to recommend whether the Board of County Commissioners should adopt these changes.

Board of Adjustment: Horse-Keeping Request

Case CU-2026-17, scheduled for July 15, requested a conditional use to allow horses at 5570 N Blue Angel Pkwy and 5404 Blue Angel Pkwy. Derek and Nancy Brown submitted the request as agents for owners Stanley and Deborah Barnard. The agenda also included accepting Development Services Staff Findings-of-Fact into evidence and approving minutes from June 17, 2026.

Development Review Committee: Residential and Commercial Projects

The July 8 DRC agenda listed final applications for Hancock Meadow (34 lots at 350 Meadow Lane), HEI Office at 3802 N. S Street, and the Perdido Renewable Natural Gas Facility at 13012 Beulah Rd. Pre-application meetings were set for Melt Coffee & Dip at 9021 University Parkway and Pine Forest Truck Parking at 9235 Pine Forest Road.

The July 15 DRC agenda added World Gym at 1200 N Hwy 29, Lost Key C10 (26 lots at 700 Blk Lost Key Drive), Wild Fork Foods at 6810 N. Davis Hwy, Hamilton Hall Townhomes (36 lots at 7722 Kipling Street), and a return of Hancock Meadow.

Marine Advisory Committee: Derelict Vessel Ordinance

The July 13 agenda included discussion of a draft ordinance amending Chapter 102, Article VI, to address derelict vessels and enforce state statutes on vessels at risk and long-term anchoring. The committee also planned to approve June 8, 2026 minutes and review the 2026 symposia calendar, which lists Diving Safety on August 10 and Waterways Conditions on October 12.

Coming Up

• **July 22 — Development Review Committee:** Scheduled vote on the final DRC application for Heron's Landing Townhomes Phase 2 at 951 Dog Track Rd. Pre-application meetings are set for Scenic Hills Repositioning (8891 Burning Tree Rd), Perdido Key Medical Spa (13500 BLK Perdido Key Dr), Murphy Oil #26065 (2500 Wilde Lake Blvd.), and ST1 LLC (6698 N Palafox St, Community Redevelopment Area).
• **July 23 — Budget Workshop:** Board review of the upcoming fiscal plan, including constitutional officers, a medical examiner update, a reduction review, and department-by-department review. No formal actions are listed.
• **July 23 — Board of County Commissioners:** Public forum with speaker sign-up and procedural guidelines; no policy decisions listed.
• **July 23 — Board of County Commissioners:** Vote on the LOST extension referendum ordinance, parks-code amendment, Iron Rock Phase 3 street-lighting MSBU ordinance and FPL contract, alleyway/right-of-way vacation hearings, and a lien-relief request for 315 Weis Lane that staff criteria show as denied.