Panama City Beach kicked off the year with its first council meeting, where public input took center stage. The meeting saw an overflow of Bahama Beach residents at City Hall, eager to express their views during the public comment session. The main contention was the proposal for low-speed vehicle (LSV) parking, a contentious topic within the community that sparked over an hour of debate. Next meeting is on January 16.
Residents along Oleander Dr, are strongly against adding more parking spaces, citing not wanting people parking from outside the neighborhood, insufficient road width and potential hazards to personal safety and property values.
The decision from a prior meeting stood firm, with a unanimous vote against adding parking spaces to Oleander Dr. Beach officials maintain that as the city grows, so too must the infrastructure supporting beach access, including parking provisions.
Shielding Neighborhoods from Public Parking Could Benefit the Community as Panama City Beach Evolves
In Panama City Beach, several neighborhoods offer private beach access. Preserving this could be a huge asset to Panama City Beach as it matures. Here are some notable neighborhoods known for their private beach access:
- Bid-a-wee Beach: This neighborhood is known for its private beach access, with properties like “Heavenly Day” offering exclusive access to the beach directly from the property. The area is praised for its quiet, less crowded beaches and upscale homes.
- Laguna Beach: While not entirely private, this area has sections with gated communities where residents enjoy private beach access. It’s one of the quieter parts of Panama City Beach, ideal for those seeking privacy.
- Santa Monica: This neighborhood features gated access points for residents and vacation rental guests, offering a private beach experience away from public areas.
- Sunnyside: Although it has some public access points, much of the beach in Sunnyside is private to residents of the community, providing a more exclusive beach environment.
- Carillon Beach: Located at the west end of Panama City Beach, Carillon is a gated community with private beach access. It’s known for its luxury homes, shops, and restaurants.
Panama City Beach Already Offers Numerous Public Parking Choices
State Parks
- St. Andrews State Park: While this park requires an entry fee of $8 per vehicle, it offers extensive beach access with various facilities including public restrooms, showers, and a large parking area. It’s not free, but provides a comprehensive beach experience.
- Rick Seltzer Park: Located at 7419 Thomas Drive, this park provides free public beach access with parking. It’s known for its environmental education features, lifeguard services, restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and proximity to local amenities.
- Camp Helen State Park: Situated at the west end of Panama City Beach, this park offers parking for a fee of $4 per vehicle. It features a secluded beach accessible after a half-mile hike through natural landscapes.
Public Piers
- M.B. Miller County Pier
- There is a daily parking fee.
- Panama City Beach City Pier – 53 with Dog Beach at Pier Park Panama City Beach
City Operated Paid Parking Lots
The City of Panama City Beach manages three primary paid parking lots for beach access:
- 600 Henley Drive: Off of Churchwell Drive (Beach access 36).
- 11209 Front Beach Road: Next to Ocean Towers (Beach access 40).
As I think about how Panama City Beach City Council approaches this, I try to see different perspectives.
- The homeowners in the gulf front neighborhoods directly affected by the people who use this public parking.
- Neighborhood owners along Front Beach Road are advocating for less parking rather than more. They believe this would decrease beach congestion and mitigate issues caused by Panama City Beach visitors who do not stay within the local neighborhood.
- The locals outside the gulf front neighborhoods who would use the parking.
- Panama City Beach locals from areas outside the beachfront neighborhoods desire more parking to facilitate easier access to the beach.
- The city officials who need to police and maintain the solution after it is implemented.
- City Officials are working to meet the needs of all parties involved by providing accommodations and subsequently handling the outcomes of their implemented solutions.
- The guests of Panama City Beach who would use the parking.
- Visitors vacationing in Panama City Beach, who are not staying in the beach neighborhoods or gulf front, seek convenient beach access beyond what’s available at state parks, public piers, and designated public beach parking areas.