Doodle Harris wants to change zoning; Increase densities in Old Seagrove

[Dave Rauschkolb]

This week's Beach Breeze has notices about community meetings on two
projects in Seagrove (page 14-C Thursday, May 25, 2006).

The Endless Summer
June 12, 2006 5:30 at TDC
"The project will be a residential subdivision comprised of 5 lots
with a total acreage of approximately 1.10 acres located
approximately .30 miles to the west of the intersection of CR-395 and
CR-30-A. Subject property is located on the south side of CR-30A. "

Summer Place
June 12, 2006 6:30 at TDC
"The project will be a residential subdivision comprised of four lots
with a total acreage of approximately .54 acres located along
CR-30-A; approximately 660 feet west of the intersection of CR-395
and CR-30-A across from Hickory Street. Subject property is located
on the south side."

These are both located on the south side of 30-A, i.e. on the beach bluff.

[Just_In_Thyme]

I assume this will set a precedent that will allow all kinds of more dense development here in Seagrove. We are opposed to this, not so much for the projects but for the Pandora's box I am afraid they will open.

[Beach Runner]

So, David, I guess you're talking about the lot that his pool and parking area occupies and the empty lot that used to say "Seacrest Guests" and now says "Harris Family and Guests Only"?

Maybe you have the influence to fight this, but I learned long ago that I don't. Money is power. From what I've seen on many occasions, local government officials tend to let people with boatloads of money do whatever they want. They'll allow him to load up his two lots at the cost of the character of the neighborhood. It's not like he needs the money (or maybe his taxes were more than expected and he does?).

[luvthebeach]

Funny that I've heard the name Doodle Harris twice in one day, and both times the reference to his name makes me want to barf.

Thanks to the shenanigans of Doodle and his "Big Canoe, Inc." corporation several years ago, we just lost a public beach access in Seagrove. As far as I know, the five foot easement to the west of Sugar Cliffs property was a publically dedicated beach access since at least the early-mid 90's. The County maintained the access, even rebuilt it after Ivan (or whatever the hurricane was around that time that took out many of the walkovers). It was a well-travelled public access. A few years ago the private homeowners in Sugar Cliffs sued (Case Number 01CA000478, Sugar Cliffs Owners Assoc. vs. Walton County) stating that the easement on which the walkover was built was never properly recorded. Thanks to Doodle not following the statutory procedure for dedication of the easement back in the 90's, the courts have turned the land and the walkover over to Sugar Cliffs. Howard Carr was somehow involved in the supposed deal, but I'm not clear as to his involvement. I do know that Howard Carr was a defendant in this case, as was the Cassine Owner's Associations. Cassine had an interest in keeping the walkover public, as it is directly across the street.

BR is so right - local government officials DO let people with boatloads of money do whatever they want. In this case, they've permanently taken away a public beach access and handed it on a silver platter to the rich. Sure hope this doesn't catch on. Money talks.

As far as Doodle's two new proposed developments go, I'm sure he doesn't give a rat's behind about the effects on the "character" of the neighborhood as long as it lines his pockets.

[Richard]

The same thing is happening in Blue Mountain Beach. The beachfront single-family home site once owned by the Cawthon family on Blue Mountain Road is now for sale by B.J. Development, LLC as a development opportunity. The Blu' Biscayne. Their sign says the property allows up to three residential units. Ms. Cawthon sold her home after the county inappropriatly allowed a lot split on the property adjacent to her home on the east, next to the Blue Mountain Beach highway 83 beach access. That site double in density to 4 single-family homes, which did not fit within the allowed setbacks.

And where is the Coastal High Hazard area? Is it not on the beach? How can we be increasing density in the most susceptible area we have? When all this new density on the coast is damaged by storms who pays in the way of higher insurance bills?

But the county says because of the changes made in 1996 to the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) this single beach front lot with a single structure can now have three structures. This is because the designation of the site was changed to Infill, which allows up to 6 units per acre, in 1996.

Of course all of these changes, all this increased density, alters the look and feel of our communities. They change where we live but the powers that be keep approving the changes. The increased density also impacts stormwater management issues, traffic on our roads and parking. The increased density impacts hurricane evacuation times. But the county keeps allowing developers to increase density.

[TooFarTampa]

And where is the Coastal High Hazard area? Is it not on the beach? How can we be increasing density in the most susceptible area we have? When all this new density on the coast is damaged by storms who pays in the way of higher insurance bills?

I hope people who come to the meetings make this point. Loudly.

[SGB]

Please note that the signs on his lots say that the planning meeting is on June 8th, and the BCC meeting is on the 12th. I think both meetings are at the Courthouse Annex. So it's important that people attend the meeting on the 8th. As a previous poster said, if the zoning is changed, we're one step closer to having condos instead of homes along the beachfront in Old Seagrove. This would completely change the character of the area.

[SGB]

So, David, I guess you're talking about the lot that his pool and parking area occupies and the empty lot that used to say "Seacrest Guests" and now says "Harris Family and Guests Only"?

It's also the lots on the beach between Seaside and Seagrove. He owns the empty lots there and the first small white house in Seagrove.

[Smiling JOe]

Please note that the signs on his lots say that the planning meeting is on June 8th, and the BCC meeting is on the 12th. I think both meetings are at the Courthouse Annex. So it's important that people attend the meeting on the 8th. As a previous poster said, if the zoning is changed, we're one step closer to having condos instead of homes along the beachfront in Old Seagrove. This would completely change the character of the area.

I guess it the condos will fit right in with the new "Downtown Seagrove."

[TooFarTampa]

I don't know where the property falls related to the coastal construction line, but I am familiar with the location of those properties and a zoning change there is just irresponsible. I can't even believe the DEP would allow such a thing. Part of the "blame" for all the dune misery of the past two hurricane seasons has fallen to the very old zoning that set up the subdivisions in Seagrove and BMB initially, combined with the fact that since Opal, a good chunk of protective dune systems has been lost. The old zoned lots are much closer to the Gulf than they were when the plats were drawn decades ago.

But to rezone those old lots now for higher density along the Gulf? You have got to be kidding me. Have we learned nothing from the past two years?

I hope at least the county commisioners will see clearly that this is a BAD idea. The last thing we need is more armoring and more seawalls, and that has to be where this would lead if higher density were allowed.

[aquaticbiology]

I don't know where the property falls related to the coastal construction line, but I am familiar with the location of those properties and a zoning change there is just irresponsible.

i suspect the ccl hasn't been redrawn either and is now somewhere out in the gulf, and that fits with the old zoning that was set when the beach was a quarter mile that-a-way

[Beach Runner]

If you know the parcel number for a particular piece of property, how do you find out the zoning ordinances for parcel? In particular, how do you find out how it is zoned in terms of density? And how do you find out about height restrictions for the parcel?

[Smiling JOe]

If you know the parcel number for a particular piece of property, how do you find out the zoning ordinances for parcel? In particular, how do you find out how it is zoned in terms of density? And how do you find out about height restrictions for the parcel?

Height restrictions are the same for all of SoWal, and they are considering making it universal for all of Walton Co. Zoning can be determined ut by submitting a zoning identification request to the Planning Dept for WalCo. There is an easier way, but it is way too complicated to teach you how to do it on your own.

[Beach Runner]

Height restrictions are the same for all of SoWal, and they are considering making it universal for all of Walton Co. Zoning can be determined ut by submitting a zoning identification request to the Planning Dept for WalCo. There is an easier way, but it is way too complicated to teach you how to do it on your own.

I was hoping there was a way to do it at http://clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us or http://www.co.walton.fl.us or http://www.qpublic.net/walton/.

[luvthebeach]

Height restrictions are the same for all of SoWal, and they are considering making it universal for all of Walton Co. Zoning can be determined ut by submitting a zoning identification request to the Planning Dept for WalCo. There is an easier way, but it is way too complicated to teach you how to do it on your own.

This may be a dumb question and I may have missed it on another thread, but how did One Seagrove get by the height restriction? Was there maybe no restriction at the time it was built?

[Beach Runner]

This may be a dumb question and I may have missed it on another thread, but how did One Seagrove get by the height restriction? Was there maybe no restriction at the time it was built?

That's what I've always assumed. I'm sure SJ knows.

[Smiling JOe]

This may be a dumb question and I may have missed it on another thread, but how did One Seagrove get by the height restriction? Was there maybe no restriction at the time it was built?

you are correct.

[TooFarTampa]

I was hoping there was a way to do it at http://clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us or http://www.co.walton.fl.us or http://www.qpublic.net/walton/.

I was curious so I checked out the property card for our vacant lot at the Walton Co. property appraiser website. It does have a section for "Land Use." According to the website our lot is zoned "SFR Resort," which I assume stands for single family residential resort. However, I went to the county's Land Development Code, also available online, and tried to find the classification for SFR Resort but was unsuccessful.

I did see that the standard code calls for no more than two units per acre in residential, but of course that seems to have no relation to anything in SoWal. I'm sure the "resort" designation means something different, but I couldn't find out what. It is not part of Old Seagrove but it is nearby -- probably it was platted in the 60s or 70s and has not changed.

The problem with figuring all this out is that so many of the developments in SoWal are PUDs, or Planned Urban Developments. The way it has been explained to me is that each Planned Urban Development has its own set of standards like setbacks and density on file with the county. The PUDs are approved individually.

Seacrest Beach, where our house is located, is a PUD. It was, incidentally, developed in part by Doodle Harris. The original PUD allowed for essentially zero lotlines for the large parcel directly behind our house, which has led to a 21-unit condo being built so close to our property that the distance from our back fence to the edge of the balconies is only 7 feet. We called code enforcement and the county planners as soon as we saw what was happening, but they provided documentation saying they approved the project because the original PUD from 1997 pretty much gives the developers of the condo the right to put the building where they did. They county may not have liked the idea of it being there but they told me they had no choice.

This is why zoning meetings are so important. The time to have your voice heard is NOW.

[Beach Runner]

I wonder what it means in terms of zoning if the Land Use is OCN FT (obviously oceanfront) or HWY 30-A? Just clicking parcel by parcel on the parcel map in large area where there are only single-family houses, some houses/parcels near us adjacent to 30-A are designated with a Land Use of "HWY 30-A" and others are SFR.

[Smiling JOe]

I wonder what it means in terms of zoning if the Land Use is OCN FT (obviously oceanfront) or HWY 30-A? Just clicking parcel by parcel on the parcel map in large area where there are only single-family houses, some houses/parcels near us adjacent to 30-A are designated with a Land Use of "HWY 30-A" and others are SFR.

What you are looking at is not "land use." I believe it is a definition used in appraising the property for property type to help determine assessed value.

Seacrest Beach is zoned as NPA-TND(neighborhood planning area - Traditional Neighborhood Development Projects.

The property across the street to the south, Paradise by the Sea, is zoned NPA-RP (Residential Preservation).

[Beach Runner]

What you are looking at is not "land use."

Thanks. I'll follow your advice from post #14.

[SHELLY]

I hope people who come to the meetings make this point. Loudly.

....and try to work the name "Doodle" into your argument as many times as you can.

[SGB]

I spoke with the planning dept the other day. It appears that all of old seagrove is currently "Residential Preservation". Apparently because the lots along the beach in Old Seagrove weren't officially part of a subdivision(some of them were actually supposed to be a park!), which is part of the definition of Residential Preservation, the planning dept seems to think that it is ok to now make these lots Infill instead of Residential Preservation.

Once one (or in this case multiple) lots along 30A in Old Seagrove get reclassified Infill, you might as well assume they all will at some point. If something is classified Infill, then you can build multifamily dwellings.

Unless you want to see the beachfront of Old Seagrove turn into a wall of condos, please show up at the meeting on the 8th. It's our only hope of turning this around. If you can't make the meeting, please send a letter, via the planning dept, to the Planning Commision letting them know your views.

[ShallowsNole]

Sounds like we need some new county commissioners who aren't in the developers pockets.

As far as Doodle is concerned, you won't be able to do that. He had land dealings with my parents, and my dad has been gone for over twenty years. Mr Harris needed a tax writeoff several years back, so he bought all new equipment (sorely needed) and new uniforms for ALL of Walton County's youth football teams. In return, he got a public facility in DeFuniak named for him.

The best things to do is to go to the planning commission meeting and the BCC meeting and, without pointing fingers at the Harris family, make your opposition to the zoning change known.

[Sandcastle]

The property across the street to the south, Paradise by the Sea, is zoned NPA-RP (Residential Preservation).

I spoke with a couple the other day who said they sold a Gulf-front lot in Paradise by the Sea to Doodle earlier this year. It sounds like he's preparing to relocate to a more secluded location.

[waltondude]

A few years ago the private homeowners in Sugar Cliffs sued (Case Number 01CA000478, Sugar Cliffs Owners Assoc. vs. Walton County) stating that the easement on which the walkover was built was never properly recorded. :

I must be missing something. How is this the fault of local officials if it went to court and a judge made the decision that it was no longer public? Local officials fought to keep the access, did they not?

[Beach Runner]

If you can't make the meeting, please send a letter, via the planning dept, to the Planning Commision letting them know your views.

I want to write a letter, but everything I would say would just be opinion. I don't have any quantitative data to back up what I say. I'm against high-density developments thrown in the middle of residential areas. What Doodle (and others, such as one who is planning to put 8 houses on a beachfront 1.1 acre lot in a residential area near me) is trying to do will totally change the character of these neighborhoods. And can 30-A really support the additional traffic generated by high-density developments? Is it going to get to the point that 30-A will have to be four-laned to support the traffic from all of the development? Another Destin with a bunch of condos - please, no! There are other posters on this board who are against developing beachfront (well, as close to the beach as Doodle's property is) so that primary and secondary dunes will develop over time that will protect EVERYONE behind them (sort of like the multiple levels of dunes at Amelia Island Plantation). Others feel that it is unconscionable to build as close to the water's edge as Doodle is proposing, knowing that it's inevitable that these structures will fall into the water (just think about how much beachfront property has caved in in the past two years).

Has a traffic study been done on the impact of more construction on 30-A? If not, shouldn't there be a moratorium on construction until the impact of further development can be studied? Or is it just all about money? Nobody really cares about how something that makes them a profit affects their neighborhood or the environment?

Anyhow, I have a lot of opinions, but without any facts to back be up, I think my letter would be pointless.

BTW what is the address of the planning commission?

Disclaimer: I obviously have no expertise on these matters. I basically just want 30-A to maintain its uniqueness and charm; high-density developments and four-laning are the antithesis of this . I also hate that the "grove" is close to being taken out of Seagrove (Doodle certainly has done his share to remove it, as per http://www.defuniakherald.com/jan6.html ). I guess if he and others have their way, Seagrove should be renamed since the groves will all have to be removed to make room for high-density developments. And then - oh, goody - more non-native palms can be planted.

[TooFarTampa]

Looks like you just wrote a letter BR.

I think it's too late for mail. Anyone have a fax number?

[Beach Runner]

Looks like you just wrote a letter BR.

I think it's too late for mail. Anyone have a fax number?

Not really. It only costs $13.65 to overnight it.

[SGB]

Looks like you just wrote a letter BR.

I think it's too late for mail. Anyone have a fax number?

You can send it to Vivian in the planning dept at this email address: shavivian@ co.walton.fl.us and ask that she distribute to the planning commission. She will send it to the planning commission or give it to them in their packets. Please address any of these letters to the Planning Commission. I'm told that they really do make a difference, although being at the meeting in person is the best thing to do. Actually, it's best to do both if you can. Unfortunately a few people that usually give a voice to these types of issues at meetings will be out of town this week, so we all have to do everything we can.

Beachrunner - your message would be great input to write in a letter. Sometimes emotions and feelings about a character of an area, is more important than facts. Just make your opinion known to the people that have to make the decisions.

[Beach Runner]

You can send it to Vivian in the planning dept at this email address: shavivian@ co.walton.fl.us and ask that she distribute to the planning commission. She will send it to the planning commission or give it to them in their packets. Please address any of these letters to the Planning Commission. I'm told that they really do make a difference, although being at the meeting in person is the best thing to do. Actually, it's best to do both if you can. Unfortunately a few people that usually give a voice to these types of issues at meetings will be out of town this week, so we all have to do everything we can.

Beachrunner - your message would be great input to write in a letter. Sometimes emotions and feelings about a character of an area, is more important than facts. Just make your opinion known to the people that have to make the decisions.

Okay. I'll do an email and send an overnight message in the AM. What is the address?

[Mermaid]

If anyone attends the meeting, will you tell us about how it went?

[SGB]

If anyone attends the meeting, will you tell us about how it went?

Doodle removed his request for the lots near Hickory Street. The Planning Commission approved the request for the lots at the border of Seagrove/Seaside and did not seem at all disturbed about doing so. The only thing they would do is say that only single family houses could be built there. How this is carried out after the land is sold to some other developer, I don't know. I can't tell you how disturbed I am about how developers and their greed always wins out over what the residents of Walton County want. Now that the lot at the edge of Seagrove is Infill, more will surely follow.

[jimmyp5]

The BOCC website lists this meeting as Tuesday evening 6/13, not tonight the 12th, as part of the 6:45 item re board-sponsored amendments.

[SGB]

This is my understanding of the meetings regarding this request:

There is a community meeting at the TDC regarding the "subdivision's" plans on Monday (today, the 12th) at 6:30. I think this meeting is Doodle's representatives presenting the plans for the "subdivision."

County Commission's public hearing is on June 13, at 5:00pm SW annex.

County Commissioner review of the amendment is June 27 at 5:00 in Defuniak.

[SHELLY]

This is my understanding of the meetings regarding this request:

There is a community meeting at the TDC regarding the "subdivision's" plans on Monday (today, the 12th) at 6:30. I think this meeting is Doodle's representatives presenting the plans for the "subdivision."

Doodleville?

[sas96]

Funny that I've heard the name Doodle Harris twice in one day, and both times the reference to his name makes me want to barf.

Thanks to the shenanigans of Doodle and his "Big Canoe, Inc." corporation several years ago, we just lost a public beach access in Seagrove. As far as I know, the five foot easement to the west of Sugar Cliffs property was a publically dedicated beach access since at least the early-mid 90's. The County maintained the access, even rebuilt it after Ivan (or whatever the hurricane was around that time that took out many of the walkovers). It was a well-travelled public access. A few years ago the private homeowners in Sugar Cliffs sued (Case Number 01CA000478, Sugar Cliffs Owners Assoc. vs. Walton County) stating that the easement on which the walkover was built was never properly recorded. Thanks to Doodle not following the statutory procedure for dedication of the easement back in the 90's, the courts have turned the land and the walkover over to Sugar Cliffs. Howard Carr was somehow involved in the supposed deal, but I'm not clear as to his involvement. I do know that Howard Carr was a defendant in this case, as was the Cassine Owner's Associations. Cassine had an interest in keeping the walkover public, as it is directly across the street.

BR is so right - local government officials DO let people with boatloads of money do whatever they want. In this case, they've permanently taken away a public beach access and handed it on a silver platter to the rich. Sure hope this doesn't catch on. Money talks.

As far as Doodle's two new proposed developments go, I'm sure he doesn't give a rat's behind about the effects on the "character" of the neighborhood as long as it lines his pockets.

I would like to reply to this message and let this person know that I have no intention for this walkover to be private and in fact I went to elementary school with Howard Carr and was working with Howard and Cassine Gardens to make this access permanently public. It is now in appeal and is currently a public access and if I have anything to do with it,it will remain a public access. I want to leave my phone number for anyone to call who has any concerns about Seagrove, Seaside, Seacrest, Paradise by the Sea, etc... and you can feel free to call me to get the correct information for this blog and accurately post messages for everyone to see. My number is 850-830-5111.

[Smiling JOe]

I would like to reply to this message and let this person know that I have no intention for this walkover to be private and in fact I went to elementary school with Howard Carr and was working with Howard and Cassine Gardens to make this access permanently public. It is now in appeal and is currently a public access and if I have anything to do with it,it will remain a public access. I want to leave my phone number for anyone to call who has any concerns about Seagrove, Seaside, Seacrest, Paradise by the Sea, etc... and you can feel free to call me to get the correct information for this blog and accurately post messages for everyone to see. My number is 850-830-5111.

I am unfamiliar with this particular case of the walkover. Is the County trying to make it private? That just doesn't make sense to me.

SAS, care to comment on the Gulf front property going through zoning change?

[luvthebeach]

I would like to reply to this message and let this person know that I have no intention for this walkover to be private and in fact I went to elementary school with Howard Carr and was working with Howard and Cassine Gardens to make this access permanently public. It is now in appeal and is currently a public access and if I have anything to do with it,it will remain a public access. I want to leave my phone number for anyone to call who has any concerns about Seagrove, Seaside, Seacrest, Paradise by the Sea, etc... and you can feel free to call me to get the correct information for this blog and accurately post messages for everyone to see. My number is 850-830-5111.

I don't understand what part of my message is inaccurate? I certainly hope and pray that you're right...that this walkover will once again be open and available to the public. Sugar Cliffs Owners Assoc. has fought long and hard (I believe they filed suit in 2002?) through their attorneys to claim abandonment, improper recording of the deed, etc. in order to seize the walkover. According to the the court document accessible at http://clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us (Case # 01CA000478, Sugar Cliffs Owners Assoc. vs. Walton County), unless I'm completely reading it wrong, the defendants (Walton County) and co-defendants (Carr, Cassine, etc.) failed to prove their case and the easement was turned over to SCOA. It was signed as official on May 30 or 31. Are you saying that did not happen?

As I stated in my original message, Howard Carr and Cassine fought to keep the walkover public. Everytime I've been in the area the walkover was busy with guests from Cassine Village, Cassine Gardens and other neighboring homes. You say that it remains a public access, although it has not been repaired and is still closed off to the public. I didn't realize the case had been appealed - I am relieved to hear that, but I can't imagine what the defendants may have now that they didn't have at the original hearing.

To answer SJ's question....the County is not trying to make it private, but Sugar Cliff's Owner's Association (own homes next to the walkover) is. They filed suit against Walton County claiming that the proper paperwork had not been recorded years ago and that the walkover had been abandoned (wrong!) The county did a great job of repairing the walkover after the first hurricane last season, but ever since the last hurricane that did all the damage to the area (I've lost track of the names), it has not been repaired.

I will be anxiously awaiting the final outcome of the appeal!

[luvthebeach]

I don't understand what part of my message is inaccurate? I certainly hope and pray that you're right...that this walkover will once again be open and available to the public. Sugar Cliffs Owners Assoc. has fought long and hard (I believe they filed suit in 2002?) through their attorneys to claim abandonment, improper recording of the deed, etc. in order to seize the walkover. According to the the court document accessible at http://clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us (Case # 01CA000478, Sugar Cliffs Owners Assoc. vs. Walton County), the defendants (Walton County) and co-defendants (Carr, Cassine, etc.) failed to prove their case and the easement was turned over to SCOA. It was signed as official on May 30

I tried to search by the case number but nothing came up. You have to go to "Public Records", then "Official Records" and type in the Instrument Number 950244.

I did see the appeal recorded on June 8 (Instrument Number 951449). I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the original ruling is overturned!

[Smiling JOe]

luvthebeach,
How is Doodle involved in this? Was he the developer of Sugar Cliffs?

[beachwatcher]

Smilin Joe is correct. It was built when dinosauers walked the earth and all county comms. were fighting the garbage wars in sowalco and we had landfills on 83, and off of 98 run by BFI. Thats when the One was built.

[luvthebeach]

luvthebeach,
How is Doodle involved in this? Was he the developer of Sugar Cliffs?

Doodle, through a corporation called "Big Canoe, Inc., owned the land that is now known as Sugar Cliffs. It was formerly known as Dana Beach Subdivision.

Hmmm....how did Dana Beach Subdivision get it's name? Maybe from George Dana "Doodle" Harris?

[Beach Runner]

Pardon the tangent, but someone told me that Mr. Harris is related to Katherine Harris. Is that true?

[Been There]

He has a sister named Katherine, but not Katherine Harris from Fla.

[Miss Kitty]

He has a sister named Katherine, but not Katherine Harris from Fla.

Been There....have you Done That?

[Been There]

Oh, Yeah!!

[Miss Kitty]

Oh, Yeah!!

...now you can get the t-shirt!!!! FUNN!

[John]

[QUOTE=SGB]Doodle removed his request for the lots near Hickory Street. /[QUOTE]

Probably because he owns the house next door and doesn't want that kind of crap near him.

[Cork On the Ocean]

Wow, been busy with my face while all this has been going on
So are we to assume that sas96 is Doodle with his 1 post? Personally, owning in one Doodle community and learning more than I ever wanted to know about what's promised and what's delivered, I wouldn't buy in another Doodle community.