New apartment complex is being proposed for Frankford Avenue. Nearby residents aren't happy

Samantha Neely, The News Herald
·3 min read

PANAMA CITY — While developers are jumping at the chance to accommodate the growing population in the city, some residents are not so happy.

Panama City commissioners on June 14 held a first reading for an apartment complex proposed for a 15-acre lot at Frankford Avenue and 33rd Street.

A planning meeting notice sits along Frankford Avenue at 33rd Street, where an apartment complex is proposed for the site.
A planning meeting notice sits along Frankford Avenue at 33rd Street, where an apartment complex is proposed for the site.

The reading was for the land to be annexed into the city, as well as rezoned to "urban residential" from "residential." Inlet Property Co. wants to construct seven buildings with 304 apartments in total and more than 400 parking spaces.

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Commissioners postponed approval or comments on the complex until their June 28 meeting, stating they need time to consider if the complex is right for the city and nearby residents.

On May 9, the Panama City Planning Board unanimously recommended denial.

Residents surrounding the property overwhelmingly back the planning board's recommendation, addressing the commission to make their concerns about the complex known. A petition online to protest the development gathered 368 signatures.

Resident Deanne Peterson took to the podium first, saying Frankford Avenue cannot handle the development.

"Currently, Frankford Avenue has no infrastructure whatsoever. There's no sidewalks, it continuously floods," Peterson said. "Our new cul-de-sac has made our neighbors flood. Until infrastructure happens, then we need to not even worry about putting in an apartment complex."

Peterson said residents have passed out thousands of fliers to neighbors to make them aware of the situation.

Another resident, Frank Sundram, said the complex would adjoin his property, taking away his privacy. With the complex reportedly planned for four stories, he said there will be people looking down at his residence.

Sundram also blasted the impact the complex will have on traffic.

"It is impossible to get through (traffic lights) between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. without waiting 10 minutes for a light," Sundram said. "If there's an emergency or an accident, they're struggling. What is the plan, make it four lanes across all of Frankford and Airport Road? What is the plan?"

Resident Michelle Newsome touched on infrastructure and traffic concerns as well, but also focused on the quality of life for her fellow neighbors. She said even though the developers held a meeting with residents to get their input, everyone is still upset.

"If the owner wants to build 25 more homes there, I'm happy for him but to put in four stories when there is not hardly any apartment complexes (that high next to residential lots), not even SweetBay is four stories right next to a home," Newsome said. "My sunset will be 30 minutes before everybody else's because I got a building that's going up to block it."

Developer Robert Browning addressed the residents' concerns, saying the site is compatible with the surrounding property and vowing to work to improve the area's infrastructure.

"I would argue that this is a great opportunity for the city to gain capacity in areas you already have all the utilities and all the improvements in place ... minus the modifications that you (the city) plan to put in here through the improvements that you all have been discussing for Suzuki and other projects going in this area," Browning said.

Commissioner Billy Rader said the complex sits within his ward and he has been trying to resolve the situation. He said he attended the previous meeting with the developer and residents.

"I hope I have answered everybody's email ... if I haven't, I humbly apologize. I think you know where I stand at this point if you've received my emails, and I believe in responsible development, and that's where I'm standing ... at this point, I'm not taking sides."

Commissioner Jenna Flint Haligas reminded everyone that the proposal was new to the commission and they were not for or against anything yet. She said many things must be discussed before they approve any further action.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Apartments proposed for Frankford Avenue; residents start petition