Road vacations: Fairy Avenue and Grace Avenue
Summary
Changing a small parcel from mixed use to General Commercial means no homes can ever be built there, and residents fear gas stations, car washes, and truck traffic next to duplexes and family yards. Staff noted commercial zoning actually imposes larger setbacks and buffers than the current mixed-use district. The City Commission makes the final call in June.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 13, 2026.
Impact analysis
No development plan or buyer exists yet, so the eventual commercial project's cost and tax value are unknown.
The property owner, who could combine the parcel with his Harrison Avenue commercial lots into one development.
Renters and owners of homes and duplexes on Grace Avenue face potential commercial neighbors, traffic, and infrastructure strain.
Mentions & discussions (6)
City Commission Meetings - Oct 13, 2026
The city held first hearings on vacating unimproved Fairy Avenue and a portion of Grace Avenue near First Baptist Church. Neighbors raised objections; the Grace Avenue final reading was delayed to November 17 for a traffic study, and the mayor wants parking agreements with the church in writing.
Planning Board - Sep 14, 2026
First Baptist Church wants to close a block of Grace Avenue to create a closed campus, keeping daycare kids from crossing traffic. It will give the city a utility easement in exchange.
City Commission Meetings - Jul 14, 2026
The city is vacating an unused alley east of 519 East Sixth Street; a resident flagged a small water main in the alley that staff says isn't affected. Two hearings remain.
Planning Board - Jun 8, 2026
A 10-foot-wide alley running the length of a block east of 519 E 6th Street has never been used — no water, sewer or drainage in it — and the owner owns both sides. Vacating it could unlock commercial redevelopment of the block.
Planning Board - May 11, 2026
Changing a small parcel from mixed use to General Commercial means no homes can ever be built there, and residents fear gas stations, car washes, and truck traffic next to duplexes and family yards. Staff noted commercial zoning actually imposes larger setbacks and buffers than the current mixed-use district. The City Commission makes the final call in June.
Planning Board - Mar 9, 2026
Residents near West 21st Place say the mailed notice was confusing and feared abandoning easements could let new houses crowd close to the street. Staff and the applicant clarified only easements on the developer's own parcel, already empty of pipes, are being vacated.
Related development
Ordinance 3318 — Fairy Avenue right-of-way vacation
Enables a future affordable housing development; any actual development still needs a development order.
Vacation of Right-of-Way — alleyway east of 519 E 6th Street
The land becomes privately usable; neighbors get no through-traffic there anymore.
Alley vacation east of 519 East 6th Street
Frees up dead-end city right-of-way for the adjoining owner; no utilities affected per staff.
Grace Avenue SSLUA and Rezoning — BDJS Properties, LLC
Residential use becomes impossible on the parcel, and stricter commercial setbacks and buffers would apply; neighbors fear gas stations or truck entrances on Grace Avenue.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Panama City
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.