You can remove the ventilation/heater control panel without removing the entire dash, but is a PITA. It's been a while and I don't remember all the details.

- Remove the dash speaker or whatever's in that hole up there so you can remove the rubber fresh air boot from the plastic vent. Once the boot is pulled back disconnect the fresh air valve linkage.
- Remove the knobs from the sliders and fan switch, and two screws in the upper corners behind the fresh air vent, to get the front panel off. That will reveal two 10mm bolts holding the frame with the levers and fan switch on it to the dash. Remove those and pull the assembly back out of the hole.
- If you intend pulling the entire mechanism out of the car you will need to disconnect the cables and electrical connector.

I've probably missed something. I'll check the FSM later and if there's something important there I'll report back.