highlights from tonight's WalCo Commissioners' Mtg

You guys left the mtg way too early. This one shiuld stretch until 9pm.

Sorry but I just couldnt wait any longer. I was curious about what the Judkins were going to go on about at this one. And I personally think that we ought to just get Eglin to come on in about height restrictions. They have already voiced concern about hi rises interfering with radio communications etc.

Wow, thanks SJ. Sounds like somebody's in the doghouse, and someone else was left standing alone. That stinks so far. Are you still there to tell us about height restrictions later? Thanks for the 411.

Lots of people walking in and walking right back out since the beach rights discussion lasted about 8 minutes! I arrived at 4:45, certain that it would not start on time (4:40), and I barely had time to sign in, grab an agenda, and turn off my phone before it was over and everyone came filing out.

Thanks SJ for the report on the rest of the meeting. We decamped to Blue Orleans and continued the discussion.

Who would have ever guessed that Comm. Cindy Meadows was against building height restrictions? That was the winner for Surprise of the night.

Who would have ever guessed that Comm. Cindy Meadows was against building height restrictions? That was the winner for Surprise of the night.

Come again?

Who would have ever guessed that Comm. Cindy Meadows was against building height restrictions? That was the winner for Surprise of the night.

TYPO??? SJ...Please tell us that was a typo!

Who would have ever guessed that Comm. Cindy Meadows was against building height restrictions? That was the winner for Surprise of the night.

There has to be more to it- ----what a surprise!

Ah another episode of:

As the "A" turns.

I'm not kidding and didn't make a typo.We're back from a short break after 5.5 hours into this mtg

What time did the meeting end?

Who would have ever guessed that Comm. Cindy Meadows was against building height restrictions? That was the winner for Surprise of the night.

Hmmm. I believe that is a reversal of her previous position. I wonder why? :scratch:

Quite often hot issues are delayed or postponed several times. The crowd thins a little more at each subsequent meeting.

I have lived in SOWAL for a loonngg time and would like to know what happened to the original height restrictions we had? Did they just get thrown out the window or did the wording allow developers to find a loophole, therefore rendering them useless?

I'm not kidding and didn't make a typo.We're back from a short break after 5.5 hours into this mtg

...more info, pronto!

I have lived in SOWAL for a loonngg time and would like to know what happened to the original height restrictions we had? Did they just get thrown out the window or did the wording allow developers to find a loophole, therefore rendering them useless?

I believe there are still restrictions along 30-A, now the discussion is for the entire county. For example, the proposed condominiums in Jolly Bay.

I also know of a very nice lady in Choctaw Beach who is vehemently against building height restrictions, because it would limit her property rights. Not that she is planning to build a tall building, but just because.

... And you guys sit at home and watch TV. This is the best show in town. I don't recall what time the mtg ended, but I know that I got home well after my bed time.Regarding the height restrictions in SoWal, there is no change. Comm. Commander shockingly put the question to Comm Meadows, "would you vote to overturn the height restrictions south of the Bay?" Meadows tried moving around the answer talking about that she will obide by the current laws in place. When people were giving objections to the height restrictions for all of WalCo, Comm Meadows was intently listening and nodding her head in agreement. I think these mtgs are so entertaining that someone with a digital recorder needs to film them and post to youtube, for all to see.

I listened with interest to the five people opposed to the restriction, trying to get more info, keeping an open mind. Four of those people, who claim to own in Choctaw Beach, say that their property value would decline by placing height restrictions and that their property rights would be diminished. When I think about their objections, I find their logic questionable. They are limited by their zoning, not a building height. If they are zoned CR 2 units per acre, regardless of height restrictions, their maximum density is 2 units per acre. Comm Meadows didn't discuss it much, but I believe I understand her thoughts, knowing that she comes from a planning background. County Planner, Pat Blackshear, kept reminding the Board that typical planning allows for varied heights, and that the Planning Commission voted against height restrictions. I'm sure the Planning Comm's decision has nothing to do with the fact that Chairman Albert Paris, real estate broker and developer, owns much property in Freeport. Back to Comm meadows -- I think one of her biggest reasons for wanting no height rdstrictions, relates back to planning and the WalCo Comprehensive Plan, which doesn't want urban sprawl. Freeport is primed for huge future growth, and with Eglin takin up so much of the area, they will run out of land quickly if there is sprawl rather than intense uses and high densities in a centralized area.Comm Brannon brought up reasons for the height restriction, the primary concern being safety. The fire dept is not equipped to handle tall buildings, so if their is a fire in a building more than four stories, everyone above that level and the fire are screwed. ( My words, not his)

I believe there are still restrictions along 30-A, now the discussion is for the entire county. For example, the proposed condominiums in Jolly Bay.

I also know of a very nice lady in Choctaw Beach who is vehemently against building height restrictions, because it would limit her property rights. Not that she is planning to build a tall building, but just because.

3) The County asked for bids for a major construction project and it was advertised as the low bid would be awarded the contract. Comm. Scott Brannon made a motion to award the bid to a "local" contractor who was not the low bid. Then, when the low bidder representative objected, County attorney Mike Burke suggested that the objection showed the Board that he didn't deserve the contract. Did I mention that the Board never even opened the discussion to the floor?

SJ,
You must have been paying closer attention than I was - I missed the "didn't deserve the contract" part completely. I thought I heard Scott Brannon say something about speaking with the "local" contractor and that he would match the low bid or something along that line. Since nobody spoke up at that point, I guess I misheard. I certainly had trouble hearing Scott Brannon most of the time and I was in the second row. But maybe you heard - it was before the county atty. said that the motion had been made, seconded, and passed, but the losing bidder could file his objection through the proper channels - which was right before the contractor said no, he will just sue and several folks clapped. Com. Meadows wasn't pleased about the clapping and pointed out that the taxpayers end up paying for that.

You are correct, it is entertaining. It is also disappointing and downright unbelievable at times. I'm going to make better plans next time so I won't have to leave before the very end.

Who would have ever guessed that Comm. Cindy Meadows was against building height restrictions? That was the winner for Surprise of the night.

I can also see the point of folks in Choctaw beach. Because the bay is getting farther north every year and they will soon have to have the houses on the north side of 20 up on pilings.

JustaLocal, maybe you left too early. Attorney Mike Burke's comment came much later when the floor was opened to public comments. A local commented that he thought the BCC should reconsider their decision. Comm Brannon attempted to explain his reasoning, but failed in my opinion. I find their reasoning to be logical, but they should change their bidding process, by saying that they will look at the total picture, not necessisariy awarding the project to the low bid. They just weren't following their stated methods os awarding the contract. Perhaps they should alsso consider qualifying anyone Prior to them being allowed to submit a bid.

Brannon is such a twit - one of the most basic tenets of a public construction project is that it goes to the lowest bidder, which is why there are quite a few rules to make the bid process completely equal (including one where they can get the $ difference between the lowest and the next lowest bid if the lowest bidder refuses the contract). The contractor he wants to take the project from is well within his rights to sue and will win IMO!

We need a concrete rule on the height restrictions - 50' from grade to the roof is MORE than enough height for you to get any reasonable building in, even if pilings become a factor.

Well ,they just had a snippet of the meeting on the Channel 7 news. Mainly concerning the Driftwood Estates things including footage of the flooding there and the gentleman telling them to stay in the room next time and not go get coffee during the comments.

Well ,they just had a snippet of the meeting on the Channel 7 news. Mainly concerning the Driftwood Estates things including footage of the flooding there and the gentleman telling them to stay in the room next time and not go get coffee during the comments.

That coffee comment could have applied to anyone of them, but he directed it specifically at Comm Commander. The problem is that people realistically need a bathroom break every hour, but this 6+ hour meeting had only two breaks. All in attendance miss dinner as the meeting starts at 4pm and often goes until 9-10pm.

That Driftwood problem has been an ongoing issue for 4 years and it is serious. As a Realtor, I could never in good conscience sell a property in Driftwood without giving the buyer plenty of written and verbal warning as well as encouraging them to talk with the Neighborhood Assoc. President, whom I think has been very informative and mostly polite while educating the Board of County Commissioners on the problems out there. I like that guy, and think the BCC could learn much more if they actually listened to him as Comm Meadows has apparently done.

Yes, they definitely need to get it together over there. I can only imagine his frustration at having permits being held and the fact that it seems to be taking FOREVER to get a storm water plan approved not to mention the headache it will be to get it installed etc. I hope for all of their sakes it happens soon.