Scenic Gulf Drive

Any proponents reading this?

I don't know what area she is talking about

I don't know what area she is talking about

ditto

It's just west of Whale's Tail on the beach. But, fear not! I found a proponent and got my interview.

I've driven down that stretch of road a couple of times, and I am surprised that people do die in auto accidents there every week. Cars are parallel parked down the side of that entire stretch of road. They cannot see when pulling out onto the road. I really don't have much input since that is out of my territory, but if I lived in the area, I would want there to be ample parking available and close off the shoulder of the road to emergency only.

We have T shirts for 15 bucks , and wearing one shows your side."

Should I wear my Surfrider teeshirt, or does the new play park have a tee-shirt yet?

Should I wear my Surfrider teeshirt, or does the new play park have a tee-shirt yet?

Bring 2 shirts- Surfrider for the parking lot discussion, and a yellow one for Playpark!

like I own a yellow shirt.

like I own a yellow shirt.

It is good that you don't or we would have to call you a Hairy Canary.

It's a popular public beach area that has existed as a popular public beach area long before most of the beach condos in Seascape were built.

I see the opposition to paving public beach area as an attempt by the Seascape owners to privatize a long time public beach area at a time when there is already a need for an increase in public beach access, not a decrease in easy beach access.

That area isn't the only place in need of public parking for beach goers. Drive by Ed Walline Park on the weekend and you will see cars lined up and down both sides of 30A. Grayton Beach also has some major lack of parking. There are plenty more areas, all up and down 30A which will have a need for more public parking for beachgoers, as more developments are filled.

There are plenty more areas, all up and down 30A which will have a need for more public parking for beachgoers, as more developments are filled.

Just add an airport jetting in tens of thousands more tourists and Presto!...another Destin. Better get your parking space now.


.

I think it might be easier to mount a kayak rack to my bicycle.

If you are a waterman/woman you should Email the commission. Swimmers, surfers, kayakers, fishermen, beach runners. and all the water users should be up for this. here is another surfrider comment;
From Surfrider:
The parking lot is proposed for scenic gulf drive, next to the Whales tail, across from the majestic sun condo. The county has 4 different proposals to clean up the mess that exists there. The beach is public and has received nourishment. The condo's which are mostly timeshare ownership has launched a mail campaign to ELIMINATE the parking at our public beach! Speak up people! This is national! The timeshare people are emailing from everywhere. They don't care about our community. Email today....make your voices heard, or sit miles from the beach and sweat, crying that the tourists have stolen your beach! Do it today!
D# 1 Commissioner Scott Brannon brascott@co.walton.fl.us
D#2 Commissioner Kenneth Pridgen prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us
D#3 Commissioner Larry Jones jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us <mailto:jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us>
D#4 _Commissioner Sara Comander _comsara@co.walton.fl.us <mailto:comsara@co.walton.fl.us>
D#5_Commissioner Cindy Meadows _meacindy@co.walton.fl.us <mailto:meacindy@co.walton.fl.us>

Here is an e-mail sent out by a Surfrider member, that may explain the side of the side that wants the parking lot. The opponents are quite organized and presented their case while wearing bright green t-shirts at the April BCC meeting- and they had a big group present.

This parking lot totally needs to be built- no question. The opponents are nuts if they think a parking lot is worse than the current parking and safety situation there!



"On 11 June at 5 pm at the annex will be a public hearing regarding a
parking lot near the Whales tail. this is part of an engineered plan to
improve scenic 98 in this area. The proposed parking lot would improve
the appearance of the area, improve safety, and increase parking. This
is all good. The area has received the benefit of beach nourishment and
the federal funding portion is partly based on the amount of parking.
Now there is a group of condo owners who do not want the parking lot! It
is important that you write an Email to each commissioner and support
the parking lot. It will also be important for you to show support by
attending the public hearing on June 11 at 5pm at the annex on 331. We
are on the same side as the county on this one, lets not let the few
prevent us from access to our beach! Let me know if you can attend the meeting. We have T shirts for 15 bucks , and wearing one shows your side."

One note of clarification, this project is NOT a federal project and thus no federal funds were used. However, it was cost shared with the state and the County would have to pay back to the state over a million dollars. Furthermore, future funding for this stretch would be highly reduced.

Also, this is one of only two areas with public parking in all 5 miles in western WC, and there are no possibilites to create more without buying land with ad valoreum taxes.

My point is this is VERY important and would set precedent for removing a huge beach access parking area for all residents and visitors.

I met with the county engineer last night and saw four proposed parking plans. The meeting is at 5 p.m. Monday at the annex. The Daily News will have a story this weekend (not sure what day) presenting both sides of the argument and detailing some of the plans.I cannot express my own opinion on this issue for obvious reasons. Thanks for the input. I've gotten several responses from supporters of the project as well as a laundry list of names of those who oppose.Should be interesting, to say the least, Monday.

I met with the county engineer last night and saw four proposed parking plans. The meeting is at 5 p.m. Monday at the annex. The Daily News will have a story this weekend (not sure what day) presenting both sides of the argument and detailing some of the plans.I cannot express my own opinion on this issue for obvious reasons. Thanks for the input. I've gotten several responses from supporters of the project as well as a laundry list of names of those who oppose.Should be interesting, to say the least, Monday.

Thanks for the info!

Hint: you can log off and log in under another name. ;-)

The four options under consideration at the June 11 public hearing are posted on the county website at www.co.walton.fl.us. Scroll down on the main page to the part that says "Look what we're doing on Scenic Gulf Drive" or words to that effect. The parking plans are a link directly below that.

Bump.

See you there!

Can someone let us know please what happened with this issue at the meeting. Thanks

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/6532


Found this article about last nights meeting - would like other input from those that attended


Thanks

The meeting was a troll fest! Our county commissioners did a good job of trying to protect the peoples access from the selfish trolls. They did not want a parking lot on the beach. The BCC eliminated that option as not cost effective. The trolls then wanted no parking on the county right of way, and no access through the state easement to the nourished peoples beach. They talk of their sugar sand beaches, and teaching the children of the sea. But, only their children! It seems that the lesson they teach is selfish greed! They threatened to sue the county and had lawyers there to mis represent what the easement said. The BCC did a good job of sorting through it and should be commended.
The issue was tabled until next month.

What is with people thinking they own the beach?

I was told a condo complex in Blue Mountain is actively trying to make the beach area there private and the sheriff's department is upholding their claim!

If I recall correctly, the beach is their private property up to the high tide line. I think SJ had a few post with more definitive answers to this looming issue. Might try a "SEARCH" for more info.