Beach Council Anticipating Several Decisions Before Spring Break

The city council is considering letting hotels and condos use more of the beach for business.  The noise ordinance is almost finished too.  The council wants it all done before the spring break season.

The hotels and resorts are ready to cash in on the crowds.  The manager at the Shores of Panama Resort, Lynn Briley, says amusements like inflatables and other attractions are a great way to attract more guests.

Currently, resorts and condominiums are only allowed to put amusements on their pool decks.  However, the Panama City Beach City Council is exploring the option of allowing those same amusements on the beach.

“The council expressed interest in it, a couple of them,” City Manager Richard Jackson said.

“I think it will help kind of get people down there on the beach towards the water,” Briley said. “It will create an exciting environment for them.”

The city council will chat about revisions to the policy at a meeting on Thursday.  The noise ordinance is on the agenda at that same meeting.

“We have been working on this since we had the workshop at the end of last year,” Jackson said. “We feel like it’s ready to move forward.”

The document is almost finished and will say exactly how loud the music at some bars can be.

“If there are any significant changes, obviously we would have to start over,” Jackson said.

The council hopes they can reach a decision before spring break starts.

The next council meeting where these topics will be discussed is on Thursday at 6pm.  The meeting will be preceded by a workshop on solid waste management.