U.S. Embassy Requests New Zoning for Land in Panama

The U.S. Embassy in Panama has asked to modify zoning of its property in Clayton, La Prensa reports.

The change would mean switching two low-density lots to high-density, and another from low density to an Urban Institutional Service classification.  Although the embassy has not defined a project in the zone, this would permit construction of three-story buildings or buildings that could house between 200 and 300 people.  The current zoning allows for only 50 to 100 people.

Clayton, formerly known as Fort Clayton during the Canal Zone days, was built from fill from the digging of the Panama Canal and housed a U.S. military base that included 1,400 residences, a theater, fire and police stations, two schools, a hospital and recreation areas.  It is now used for residential housing, schools and the headquarters of the City of Knowledge.

Architectural Drawing of the current U.S. Embassy in Clayton