Grayton Grand final approval

[FoX]

Odom’s Grayton Beach project gets final OK


An appellate court decision handed down on March 24 has cleared the way for developer Jay Odom of Destin to build The Grayton Grand, a hotel, condominium and retail project in Grayton Beach in Walton County.

The development earned the county’s approval two years ago but has been held up in legal limbo because opponents sued to challenge the county’s decision.

Following Thursday’s ruling by the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee, "Grayton Grand is grand," Odom said. "Anybody now who says this project doesn’t meet every requirement known to man is probably just not living in reality," he said. "Today is a good day for property rights in Walton County."

Two years ago, members of the community groups Beach to Bay Connection, South Walton Community Council and Blue Mountain Beach Community Association, as well as South Walton residents Linda and Lee Eyer, sued the county. They said county commissioners violated the county’s Comprehensive Plan when they approved the project.

They contended that The Grayton Grand would harm wetlands and that it is not a conforming use for the Grayton Beach area. In 2004, a Walton circuit judge upheld the county’s decision to approve the project, which will be built on 7.35 acres on County Road 283 near Logan Lane.

Those suing the county appealed that decision to the 1st District Court of Appeals, which ruled, without comment, eight days after hearing the case on March 16. Grayton Beach is a traditional, small beach community that’s one of the oldest beach villages in the Southeast.

Plans for The Grayton Grand include a 75-room hotel, 78 condominium units, 1,000 square feet of retail space, a 3,600 square foot exhibition area, a 6,000 square foot restaurant and a 160 seat conference center. Site work on The Grayton Grand has already started, and the buildings should start going up in about eight months, Odom said.

[RiverOtter]

Would someone be so kind and post a map of this site?

[kurt]

It is on the NE corner of Scenic 30-A and 283 (Grayton Road), across from Mystic Porte and the Shops of Grayton.

[lenzoe]

It is on the NE corner of Scenic 30-A and 283 (Grayton Road), across from Mystic Porte and the Shops of Grayton.

Hmm. So to get to the beach, hotel guests are going to walk down 283 competing with all those SUVs also trying to get on to the beach? That should be interesting. Or are they putting in a shuttle system or something?

[kurt]

Hmm. So to get to the beach, hotel guests are going to walk down 283 competing with all those SUVs also trying to get on to the beach? That should be interesting. Or are they putting in a shuttle system or something?

Stretch Hummers would be nice for a beach shuttle.

[lenzoe]

They said county commissioners violated the county’s Comprehensive Plan when they approved the project.

They contended that The Grayton Grand would harm wetlands and that it is not a conforming use for the Grayton Beach area. In 2004, a Walton circuit judge upheld the county’s decision to approve the project, which will be built on 7.35 acres on County Road 283 near Logan Lane.

Does anyone know of any cases in Walton County where opponents challenged due to Comprehensive Plan non-conformance and actually won? That would be refreshing.

[lenzoe]

Does anyone know of any cases in Walton County where opponents challenged due to Comprehensive Plan non-conformance and actually won? That would be refreshing.

Well, after reading about the B&G club, I guess the opposition to the Boys & Girls club would be one example. Thank god 30-A is being protected from evil Boys and Girls club developers.

[kurt]

Does anyone know of any cases in Walton County where opponents challenged due to Comprehensive Plan non-conformance and actually won? That would be refreshing.

It might have happened in the past, but the higher-priced (developers') lawyers always win.

[Cork On the Ocean]

Does anybody know when they're gonna presell the Grayton Grand or who has the listings?

Debbie
www.uniquepanhandleproperties.com

[Bob]

Kurt, Here's how you prevail against evil developers. Assemble a dozen [or two] envelopes filled with thousands in cash. Give the entire amount to your attorneys[also evil]. Request that they keep half and "distribute" the rest. You will win. You'll also help kickstart the economy. I'm good for 1.87 Canadian.