Saw this on the news tonight that the BCC is being sued by Jolly Bay LLC for not approving their development. Normally I would include a link to the article, but it seems to have disappeared from all the local news outlets.
Replies
293
Beach Fanatic
WRONG!!!!!! Staff report given to the Technical Review Board Aug. 2007 after two years of meeting with the planning department states in writing, no compatibility study needed, no height restriction for this project, no neighborhood meeting required, I'm sure the applicants would have been required to do these things before they were allowed to move forward to TRC if planning had put it in their report. I'm sure it takes a lot of time and money to prepare a project to the county's liking before they will let it move forward to TRC. Look up Rural VILLAGE, the rules are all there. If planning had a problem don't you think it would they wouldRIGHT!!!! It is not the TRC, the Planning department or the Planning Commission who make the decision regarding the approval of any land use project in this county. It is the COUNTY COMMISSIONERS who make that decision and only after a quasi-judicial public hearing is held regarding the project. At this time such things as violations of the wettlands, other environmental impact such as storm water drain off and neighborhood COMPATIBILITY can be presented by all interested or even non affected parties to the Commission. There are cases where the Planning Commission makes an affirmative recommendation and the Commission disapproves the recommendation based on what is presented at the public hearing. With the land use codes we have in Walton County nothing is cut in stone as they are vague, contradicting, and in some cases, downright useless. In short, we need zoning.
have made SOME mention of it.
Beach Comber
RIGHT!!!! It is not the TRC, the Planning department or the Planning Commission who make the decision regarding the approval of any land use project in this county. It is the COUNTY COMMISSIONERS who make that decision and only after a quasi-judicial public hearing is held regarding the project. At this time such things as violations of the wettlands, other environmental impact such as storm water drain off and neighborhood COMPATIBILITY can be presented by all interested or even non affected parties to the Commission. There are cases where the Planning Commission makes an affirmative recommendation and the Commission disapproves the recommendation based on what is presented at the public hearing. With the land use codes we have in Walton County nothing is cut in stone as they are vague, contradicting, and in some cases, downright useless. In short, we need zoning.
Not even a sticky note from Pat Blackshier to the Technical Review Committee or to the-TAXPAYERS (Applicants) at this point in the process? It's the planning department rules that we all follow. The Land Development Code and the Comprehensive Plan tells us what to do. Us taxpayers have to follow the rules, if we don't, we won't move forward in the process, but the Walton Co. planning dept. can change the rules as they want? If Walton Co. planning dept. is OK with a project and if they move it forward with no comments to the Technical Review Committee and there is nothing the applicants need to address, and then come out and change the story, I kind of wonder if I still live in the United States Of America?
Beach Fanatic
Dragnet, you obviously didn't read my post or chose to ignore it, one of the two. I am very conversant with land use code usage and zoning and I am also sure they both are subject to a wide variance of interpretation. That is why this lawsuit in the first place. That and to cost taxpayers money and make a few lawyers and the filers of the suit, they hope, rich.
SoWal Expert
WRONG!!!!!! Staff report given to the Technical Review Board Aug. 2007 after two years of meeting with the planning department states in writing, no compatibility study needed, no height restriction for this project, no neighborhood meeting required, I'm sure the applicants would have been required to do these things before they were allowed to move forward to TRC if planning had put it in their report. I'm sure it takes a lot of time and money to prepare a project to the county's liking before they will let it move forward to TRC. Look up Rural VILLAGE, the rules are all there. If planning had a problem don't you think it would they would have made SOME mention of it.
You seem to know so much. Please enlighten us on why the "developer" reduced the original height of the residential building?
Beach Comber
You seem to know so much. Please enlighten us on why the "developer" reduced the original height of the residential building?
Great Question!!! I guess the Circuit Court will find the answer? I can't seem to find it in the Land Development Code or the Comprehensive Plan for Walton Co. for the land category Rural VILLAGE.?
SoWal Expert
You seem to know so much. Please enlighten us on why the "developer" reduced the original height of the residential building?
Great Question!!! I guess the Circuit Court will find the answer? I can't seem to find it in the Land Development Code or the Comprehensive Plan for Walton Co. for the land category Rural VILLAGE.?
Why wait for the Circuit Court to find the answer? It is in the testimony given at one of the BCC meetings on this project, testimony given by both the Planning Dept AND the developer's representative. They knew that height was going to be an issue, and the developers reduced the proposed building height to try and be looked at with more favor when they got to the BCC.
Banned
Why wait for the Circuit Court to find the answer? It is in the testimony given at one of the BCC meetings on this project, testimony given by both the Planning Dept AND the developer's representative. They knew that height was going to be an issue, and the developers reduced the proposed building height to try and be looked at with more favor when they got to the BCC.
The applicants project was not rejected based upon structure height. Don't attempt to set up a false premise.
__________________
"Mommy, what is God's last name?" -- my 3-year old, inquisitive nephew
Are there 2 SmilingJoes on Sowal??
Are there 2 SmilingJoes on Sowal??
SoWal Expert
The applicants project was not rejected based upon structure height. Don't attempt to set up a false premise.
I am not setting up a false premise. Statements on this thread were made about the County not raising so much as a sticky-note of caution, yet the developers were told that height would be an issue, and according to testimony by the developers and the Planning Staff, the developers lowered the original proposed height because of the potential problem of height, flagged by Planning Staff.
Banned
I am not setting up a false premise. Statements on this thread were made about the County not raising so much as a sticky-note of caution, yet the developers were told that height would be an issue, and according to testimony by the developers and the Planning Staff, the developers lowered the original proposed height because of the potential problem of height, flagged by Planning Staff.
Thanks for being clear. You know I believe the County rushed in the height ordinance North of the bay deliberately relating to this project. I think you believe the height ordinance North of the bay is not related to this project. You're on one side and I'm on the other. We may never know which of us is actually correct about this narrow question.
Beach Comber
I am not setting up a false premise. Statements on this thread were made about the County not raising so much as a sticky-note of caution, yet the developers were told that height would be an issue, and according to testimony by the developers and the Planning Staff, the developers lowered the original proposed height because of the potential problem of height, flagged by Planning Staff.
PLEASE !!! Show us all ONE reference in the Walton County Planning Department report submitted to the Technical Review Committee Aug. 1 2007 to back up your ridiculous claim??? The applicants worked with the Walton County Panning Dept. 2 years to get this project in front of the Technical Review Committee, the report they produced and sumitted to the TRC didn't say anything like your saying? PLEASE so show US ALL where in their report to Technical Review Committee they say what your saying? It's all in public record. Should be easy for you to back up your claim.
SWGBAuthor
PLEASE !!! Show us all ONE reference in the Walton County Planning Department report submitted to the Technical Review Committee Aug. 1 2007 to back up your ridiculous claim??? The applicants worked with the Walton County Panning Dept. 2 years to get this project in front of the Technical Review Committee, the report they produced and sumitted to the TRC didn't say anything like your saying? PLEASE so show US ALL where in their report to Technical Review Committee they say what your saying? It's all in public record. Should be easy for you to back up your claim.
Sir if you will please calm down and speak in a moderate tone we can try and assist you with your issue.
SoWal Expert
PLEASE !!! Show us all ONE reference in the Walton County Planning Department report submitted to the Technical Review Committee Aug. 1 2007 to back up your ridiculous claim??? The applicants worked with the Walton County Panning Dept. 2 years to get this project in front of the Technical Review Committee, the report they produced and sumitted to the TRC didn't say anything like your saying? PLEASE so show US ALL where in their report to Technical Review Committee they say what your saying? It's all in public record. Should be easy for you to back up your claim.
You are the one who is saying that it was in some report. What I am telling you is that in the sworn testimony given to the Board of County Commissioners, Planning staff as well as the developer's staff, confirmed that the original proposed height was reduced because Planning staff noted that the height would be an issue.
So, again, how many vertical feet were scaled back, and why? It is in the testimony.
SoWal Expert
I don't think the County rushed in a height ordinance NOTB because of this project, I think this project made some realize they didn't have a height ordinance NOTB and so they took action to correct it.
This project brought the lack of height ordinance to my attention, but based on my meeting w/ one of commissioners I do not feel height was the reason it didn't pass. Dunno if 'it's a crappy arse project on swampland where they can't afford to buy the concrete to keep it from sinking' is a legal defense, but that was the general opinion I heard from everyone back in the day and I asked a bunch of people. An engineer actually laughed when I asked how you built a building that tall on that kind of land. ;-)
P.S. Can we make a law that legal judgments are the last thing the county pays out in a fiscal year? So, if we are strapped for cash to pay for police, fire, and schools, developers working the system are SOL? :angry:
This project brought the lack of height ordinance to my attention, but based on my meeting w/ one of commissioners I do not feel height was the reason it didn't pass. Dunno if 'it's a crappy arse project on swampland where they can't afford to buy the concrete to keep it from sinking' is a legal defense, but that was the general opinion I heard from everyone back in the day and I asked a bunch of people. An engineer actually laughed when I asked how you built a building that tall on that kind of land. ;-)
P.S. Can we make a law that legal judgments are the last thing the county pays out in a fiscal year? So, if we are strapped for cash to pay for police, fire, and schools, developers working the system are SOL? :angry:
Beach Comber
I finally understand what your saying. Follow everyrule the way we write them in the rule book, and then we will have staff make sure you did it all correct.
We will just change the rules to our liking when we feel like it.
Forget about what we have been telling you, the rules have changed.
That is why the State of Florida has a a little thing called Bert J Harris.
Just for government when they try to do that.
We will just change the rules to our liking when we feel like it.
Forget about what we have been telling you, the rules have changed.
That is why the State of Florida has a a little thing called Bert J Harris.
Just for government when they try to do that.
Banned
I am not setting up a false premise. Statements on this thread were made about the County not raising so much as a sticky-note of caution, yet the developers were told that height would be an issue, and according to testimony by the developers and the Planning Staff, the developers lowered the original proposed height because of the potential problem of height, flagged by Planning Staff.
SJ. You do know that my post contained only quotes from you from the end of this Thread and then the beginning of this Thread. It seemed like you were all over the place.
Beach Fanatic
I finally understand what your saying. Follow everyrule the way we write them in the rule book, and then we will have staff make sure you did it all correct.
We will just change the rules to our liking when we feel like it.
Forget about what we have been telling you, the rules have changed.
.
Now you are getting it. Welcome
to Walton County!
Beach Fanatic
P.S. Can we make a law that legal judgments are the last thing the county pays out in a fiscal year? So, if we are strapped for cash to pay for police, fire, and schools, developers working the system are SOL? :angry:
I do not know why not. That seems to be the way it works in the Florida legislature. After you get a judgment you then have to hire a lobbyist to get a claims bill passed. Unless you are Charlie Crist, then you just have someone write a check.
Beach Lover
It is funny how a Height Limit NOB was passed faster than and other thing the county goverment has done in a while. It was not like they did not know about as Mr. Brannon has been talking about one since he was put in office by the builders. Must of not been any one who wonted a highrise helped him.
SWGBAuthor
It is funny how a Height Limit NOB was passed faster than and other thing the county goverment has done in a while. It was not like they did not know about as Mr. Brannon has been talking about one since he was put in office by the builders. Must of not been any one who wonted a highrise helped him.
Seems to be his only talent.
SoWal Expert
I do not know why not. That seems to be the way it works in the Florida legislature. After you get a judgment you then have to hire a lobbyist to get a claims bill passed. Unless you are Charlie Crist, then you just have someone write a check.That's good to know!
Dragnet - Forgive me for being so insensitive as to think we should fund medical care and education before emptying the kitty for lawsuit payouts. I call it focusing on priorities, you call it changing the rules.
Beach Fanatic
It is funny how a Height Limit NOB was passed faster than and other thing the county goverment has done in a while. It was not like they did not know about as Mr. Brannon has been talking about one since he was put in office by the builders. Must of not been any one who wonted a highrise helped him.
You have missed all the planning commission and county commission meetings where it was talked about both before Scott was elected and after.
SoWal Expert
You have missed all the planning commission and county commission meetings where it was talked about both before Scott was elected and after.
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?
Beach Comber
Now you are getting it. Welcome
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?Beach Fanatic
Seems to be his only talent.I note that no brainy person ran against him in the last election. Anybody know why?
Beach Fanatic
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.
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.Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.