Panama City Commission sets requirements for recovery communities, sober living homes

Nathan Cobb, The News Herald
·2 min read

PANAMA CITY − Officials took strides Tuesday to address concerns from residents and provide safe environments for those recovering from addiction.

Panama City commissioners unanimously approved the final reading of an ordinance to amend the city's unified land development code by setting requirements for community residences for people with disabilities. This includes sober-living homes and larger recovery communities.

The ordinance stems from concerns from residents about multiple Oxford Houses popping up in close proximity throughout the city. Oxford House is a nonprofit organization that leases properties to house individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

Panama City commissioners on Tuesday approved the final reading of an ordinance to amend the city's unified land development code by setting requirements for community residences for people with disabilities.
Panama City commissioners on Tuesday approved the final reading of an ordinance to amend the city's unified land development code by setting requirements for community residences for people with disabilities.

"People need help, and we're all in favor of that, but we don't need (these homes) clustered, and that's what this is all about," Commissioner Billy Raider said.

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According to the meeting's agenda, the requirements set by the ordinance are:

  • No clustering − Community residences cannot be located within 800 feet or 12 lots from each other. Recovery communities cannot be located within 1,200 feet or 15 lots from each other, and they are only allowed un multi-family districts

  • Requires licensure or certification − Community residences and recovery communities in Panama City must be licensed, certified or maintain an Oxford House charter.

  • Conditional use permit − Allows for conditional use permitting for community residences and recovery communities.

The Oxford House's website notes the group has five sober living homes in Panama City. There locations are:

  • Oxford House Panama City, 1032 W. 12th Circle, has eight occupants.

  • Oxford House Mako, 949 Huntingdon Circle, has 10 occupants.

  • Oxford House Sugar Palms, 820 W. Eighth St., has nine occupants.

  • Oxford House Blackwater, 2936 State Ave., has 10 occupants.

  • Oxford House Angel Sun, 961 Huntingdon Road, has 11 occupants.

Information from the city states some residents were concerned these homes might decrease property values in their areas. There also was at least once instance where a home was bought by an investor who leased the property to Oxford House. This led to residents unknowingly selling their property to be used as a sober-living home.

"I'm excited that I could help campion this because it needed to be done, and this is the best we could do," Raider said of the ordinance.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: PC sets limits for community residences for people with disabilities