County sued for $3 Million+

Seen a little quote in the Fort Walton Daily news this morning page A7. "If it meets our code requirements, we're compelled to recommend it be approved" Terry Jernigan, planning manager, Okaloosa County. What country does he think he lives in?

You put an extra "r" in county, if you want any hideous building approved (see Destin skyline) then go buy some bay front property in Okaloosa.

At least they follow the rules. Then leave it up to the BCC to make the call. Then it would be the BCC defending the actions in court and not the employees.

ANOTHER Bert J Harris claim against our beloved Walton county commissioners, next Tuesday, BCC meeting; property rights are property rights! Just some counties in this country respect property rights of the taxpayer, some counties just try to run right over them. Kind like a "good ol boy" system of government.

ANOTHER Bert J Harris claim against our beloved Walton county commissioners, next Tuesday, BCC meeting; property rights are property rights! Just some counties in this country respect property rights of the taxpayer, some counties just try to run right over them. Kind like a "good ol boy" system of government.

Easy does it. I'm trying to make some progress on getting favor with the good ol' boys. I understand that once you're in it's like knowing the President.

That must be some sort of violation! I have a property on Mitchell Street that the county has allowed a duplex and a single family home on. I have 3 sewer connections (which my money was taken on) and I have three separate meter boxes (which my money was taken on). The property is located on 1 acre. I recently have tried to split the property and was told I can not do this because of the zoning. What puzzles me is why they allowed the 3 units on the property in the first place. They continue to take my money and when I purchased the property was told splitting would be no big deal because they approved the 3 units to begin with.Hello!? Another note, splits have occured in the same hood at least 3 times that I know of.

I thought the old rule was that every lot can be split once real simply. It was getting more than one split that required full application.

So are you suggesting that height limits NOB (north of the Bay) wasn't quickly rammed through as a reaction to this project, as has been suggested by others?

I think it was finally passed as a result of this project, but it did not just come up due to this project. But the problem is they let this project beat them to the finish line.

I note that no brainy person ran against him in the last election. Anybody know why?

Much easier to sit around and gripe instead of actually going out and trying to fix things?

At least they follow the rules. Then leave it up to the BCC to make the call. Then it would be the BCC defending the actions in court and not the employees.

The BCC gets the defend the actions of both in court.

That must be some sort of violation! I have a property on Mitchell Street that the county has allowed a duplex and a single family home on. I have 3 sewer connections (which my money was taken on) and I have three separate meter boxes (which my money was taken on). The property is located on 1 acre. I recently have tried to split the property and was told I can not do this because of the zoning. What puzzles me is why they allowed the 3 units on the property in the first place. They continue to take my money and when I purchased the property was told splitting would be no big deal because they approved the 3 units to begin with.Hello!? Another note, splits have occured in the same hood at least 3 times that I know of.

Do you happen to have a letter stating that?

I think it was finally passed as a result of this project, but it did not just come up due to this project. But the problem is they let this project beat them to the finish line.

I noticed your diplomacy. Thanks for not pushing me in front of a speeding bus. You must be a politician or somethin'...

I thought the old rule was that every lot can be split once real simply. It was getting more than one split that required full application.

Where did you get this idea? If that was true, how would you split a 30'x45' lot?

There is an old, little-known rule on the books which allows a one-time split on some properties, in very, very limited circumstances. It is my understanding that the two splits (I know of only two, and one more trying to be split) in the s/d with Bobby J's duplex and single family detached home, used this rule to get the splits. Otherwise, they would not be allowed to split. Bobby J, call me for more info, if you don't know about that split rule.

Where did you get this idea? If that was true, how would you split a 30'x45' lot?

There is an old, little-known rule on the books which allows a one-time split on some properties, in very, very limited circumstances. It is my understanding that the two splits (I know of only two, and one more trying to be split) in the s/d with Bobby J's duplex and single family detached home, used this rule to get the splits. Otherwise, they would not be allowed to split. Bobby J, call me for more info, if you don't know about that split rule.

Sorry SJ, I didn't research Bobby J's location. I know 3 different Walton County residents who did a simple lot split by providing the County with a survey and proposed deliniation of the new lot areas. It cost them about $400 and, poof, they had 2 seperate parcels.

Lot splits may be possible if zoning allows for it. ( I think the property also is required to be in Flood Zone X -- 7ft or more above sea-level.) Bobby's property doesn't allow for smaller lots, per the plat, except for this one exception to the rule.

ANOTHER Bert J Harris claim against our beloved Walton county commissioners, next Tuesday, BCC meeting; property rights are property rights! Just some counties in this country respect property rights of the taxpayer, some counties just try to run right over them. Kind like a "good ol boy" system of government.

Looks like Camping on the Gulf feels they have been wronged by Walton County as well.

Lot splits may be possible if zoning allows for it. ( I think the property also is required to be in Flood Zone X -- 7ft or more above sea-level.) Bobby's property doesn't allow for smaller lots, per the plat, except for this one exception to the rule.

Is that the one time family split which have been done but no one then abides by.

egg-zachery! The County gives rules about the splits, but has failed to follow up and enforce any of them.

ANOTHER Bert J Harris claim against our beloved Walton county commissioners, next Tuesday, BCC meeting; property rights are property rights! Just some counties in this country respect property rights of the taxpayer, some counties just try to run right over them. Kind like a "good ol boy" system of government.

Anyone heard the scoop on why the county is getting sued again?

Much easier to sit around and gripe instead of actually going out and trying to fix things?

Much easier to sit at home and shoot yourself in the foot than run all over the county to do it.

I noticed your diplomacy. Thanks for not pushing me in front of a speeding bus. You must be a politician or somethin'...

The latter of those choices.

Looks like Camping on the Gulf feels they have been wronged by Walton County as well.

Anyone heard the scoop on why the county is getting sued again?

Have you heard about Okaloosa and Destin teaming up to create an ordinance to stop an adult business after the fact? You against that and for titty bars or is just high rises you fight for?

Last year, a topless joint in GA was purchased for a couple million $$$ because the local gov't tried to shut them down, saying that they didn't want that type of activity. The Court ruled that the dancers were not being allowed freedom of expression, to dance topless, so the club was allowed to continue in the topless biz. The local gov't decided that they would rid the area of topless businesses by buying the place. I wonder how many other topless joints are opening up in that little town, hoping to be bought out. Case law is showing that gov't cannot refuse the rights of women to dance topless.

I feel that if the property zoning allowes a Adult Bussiness in that area then it should be approved. Just because some one does not like it is not a reason for them to not approve it. I think Politian?s try to impose their views on us and not what the rules are most of the time..

Anyone heard the scoop on why the county is getting sued again?

I was told that the Fireman family filed a suit last week, I believe, over a quasi-judicial hearing/land use change. Not a Bert Harris claim though.

I feel that if the property zoning allowes a Adult Bussiness in that area then it should be approved. Just because some one does not like it is not a reason for them to not approve it. I think Politian?s try to impose their views on us and not what the rules are most of the time..

From what I see it is not their views but the views of what they perceive are those of the voting masses.

Last year, a topless joint in GA was purchased for a couple million $$$ because the local gov't tried to shut them down, saying that they didn't want that type of activity. The Court ruled that the dancers were not being allowed freedom of expression, to dance topless, so the club was allowed to continue in the topless biz. The local gov't decided that they would rid the area of topless businesses by buying the place. I wonder how many other topless joints are opening up in that little town, hoping to be bought out. Case law is showing that gov't cannot refuse the rights of women to dance topless.

I think most men like to see naked women and some women don't mind obliging. Seems fair enough.

I think most men like to see naked women and some women don't mind obliging. Seems fair enough.

And they still do this for a dollar?