Do We Desperately Need Drive-Thrus?

Perhaps the new NWF campus could have a "student union" area with dining choices. This would benefit the Annex and the Sheriff's sub station across 331.

Robert, do you think an abandoned McDonald's building adds to the Scenic Corridor, because that in essence is what you are saying should happen?

ShallowsNole, I've been threatening to set up a grilled cheese station on the sidewalk behind the annex on BCC meeting days. Grilled Cheese and sweet tea -- $4 I think we could slide by having to have a vending license as all of the Commissioners would be eating too.

Robert, do you think an abandoned McDonald's building adds to the Scenic Corridor, because that in essence is what you are saying should happen?

ShallowsNole, I've been threatening to set up a grilled cheese station on the sidewalk behind the annex on BCC meeting days. Grilled Cheese and sweet tea -- $4 I think we could slide by having to have a vending license as all of the Commissioners would be eating too.

What if it was done as a fundraiser for charity?

Sowal version of Lunchtime Bailout!

ShallowsNole, I've been threatening to set up a grilled cheese station on the sidewalk behind the annex on BCC meeting days. Grilled Cheese and sweet tea -- $4 I think we could slide by having to have a vending license as all of the Commissioners would be eating too.

I would love you forever. Not that I don't already.

a different point of view

There is something very aesthetically unappealing about drive-thrus. And although I do not eat meat or any kind of franchised fast food, I would like to offer a different side to consider.

As a mother of two small children, I will always pick a location WITH a drive-thru when I am with my kids. Dragging two little kids into a restaraunt for a cup of coffee STINKS. And although I do not keep restaurants in business by getting a cup of coffee or beverage a few times a week it is something to consider?.
Your future neighbor (as of june 1st)
NSully

Perhaps the new NWF campus could have a "student union" area with dining choices. This would benefit the Annex and the Sheriff's sub station across 331.

Yeah yeah, and wouldn't it be great if they would also have a small movie theater that shows non-blockbuster movies!

Yeah yeah, and wouldn't it be great if they would also have a small movie theater that shows non-blockbuster movies!

Welcome to sarcasmville. :funn:

Seriously though, when you have an institution such as that it generally comes with some sort of food service. So why not plan ahead and realize that such an entity would benefit for and from things other than just the school.

I actually thought it was a GREAT idea!

A coffee/sandwich shop could provide an inexpensive and healthy dining option for both students and annex workers. They would probably also get some business from snowbirds using the library too.

And maybe they would be willing to extend their hours or take orders on nights of BCC meetings!

In college we had the student union w/ several nasty chain dining options, but we also had a little cafe in our specialized academic building where you got your coffee fix, freshly baked cookies, hot lunch specials that changed daily, munchies, packaged juices and soft drinks etc. It would also "cater" coffee and cookies for staff meetings or presentations open to the public. Seems like a pretty good model to me!

Yeah yeah, and wouldn't it be great if they would also have a small movie theater that shows non-blockbuster movies!

Um, that wasn't sarcasm. That was enthusiasm. I have long wished someone would open a small theater here and bring in good, small films that we have no chance of ever seeing at the megaplexes east and west of here.

Um, that wasn't sarcasm. That was enthusiasm. I have long wished someone would open a small theater here and bring in good, small films that we have no chance of ever seeing at the megaplexes east and west of here.

The small art-house theater here (about 80 seats) does great business. Maybe because they have a great wine selection and a killer sushi bar? With enough wine you probably don't care about the subtitles.

ASH, the Publix may help, but it will still require people to get in cars and drive, rather than having lunch and snacks in easy walking distance.

Just out of curiosity, who do you represent in Walton County?

Just out of curiosity, who do you represent in Walton County?

I'm not an attorney, if that's what you mean, LOL! I am doing my best to represent myself.

I'm not an attorney, if that's what you mean, LOL! I am doing my best to represent myself.

No, that is not what I mean. Are you a representative of Walton Count in any way?

Um, that wasn't sarcasm. That was enthusiasm. I have long wished someone would open a small theater here and bring in good, small films that we have no chance of ever seeing at the megaplexes east and west of here.

A drive-in movie would be great!

.

I believe she is a member of the Planning Comission
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I believe she is a member of the Planning Comission
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That is correct. But I do not represent the PC, I am not a spokesperson for the PC or any other agency or board or whatever of the county.

And FWIW, since I have noticed that a lot of people do not seem to realize this: unlike School Board members and County Commissioners, we Planning Commissioners do not receive any compensation whatsoever for our voluntary public service. Speaking only for myself, based on the hours and hours of study and research in addition to meeting times, I can state confidently that serving on the PC costs me substantially in terms of the amount of time it takes away from my earning activities. I work pretty hard at this and do a lot of research and studying outside meetings, seeking to do the best job I possibly can.

I don't mind the cost, I am happy to be able to do this. It is just that sometimes people come to PC meetings and start fuss at us like we are getting paid big tax dollars to sit there and get yelled at. I understand and often share citizens' frustration with the way things get done -- or don't get done -- in Walton County, and I am doing the best I know how to make it better for us all. I invite all who are displeased to get involved and become part of the solution.

and thank you for your service to our community, and for your work on the Planning Commission, Susan Horn!

That is correct. But I do not represent the PC, I am not a spokesperson for the PC or any other agency or board or whatever of the county.

And FWIW, since I have noticed that a lot of people do not seem to realize this: unlike School Board members and County Commissioners, we Planning Commissioners do not receive any compensation whatsoever for our voluntary public service. Speaking only for myself, based on the hours and hours of study and research in addition to meeting times, I can state confidently that serving on the PC costs me substantially in terms of the amount of time it takes away from my earning activities. I work pretty hard at this and do a lot of research and studying outside meetings, seeking to do the best job I possibly can.

I don't mind the cost, I am happy to be able to do this. It is just that sometimes people come to PC meetings and start fuss at us like we are getting paid big tax dollars to sit there and get yelled at. I understand and often share citizens' frustration with the way things get done -- or don't get done -- in Walton County, and I am doing the best I know how to make it better for us all. I invite all who are displeased to get involved and become part of the solution.

First of all, may I echo SJ's thanks for your service to Walton County. I realize how much work serving on a planning commission is and how frustrating it can be at times having to deal with us citizens because at one time I served on a planning commission. Again, thank you for serving.
I have one suggestion. Some of the planning commissioners have served for a very long time, I am told, and possibly "some new blood" is in order. Just a suggestion for consideration by any County Commissioners who might be lurking, and no, I am not interested in serving.

So it is a better deal to use the government and the force of law to prevent people from having choices? Why not let them come into the area and then just do not eat there? Why are some wanting it stopped for competitive reasons? If the rest of us have to deal with the internet and Walmart it is only fair that the eateries can learn to compete with McDonalds.

Can I put a strip club next door to your church? How about a liquor store next to your kid's school?

If the citizen's living in an area don't want the zoning to allow a certain type of establishment, they shouldn't be forced to put up with it. I didn't mean to imply at all that restaurants in the area should be protected from competition with national chains that sell over processed junk, only that I preferred to retain the types of restaurants that have evolved locally to serve our local economy. Further, I think the market differentiation that results from not having fast food and chain restaurants on or near 30-A brings a different sort of tourist, one looking to escape from the typical Florida beach strip, and enjoy a more natural, small beach town feeling place. Those people spend more money per capita, and therefore help us to retain a quality of life and keep 30A a livable community. It's a good balance.

I just don't understand the all or nothing thinking that seems to require either that we have no say in our community, or embrace some commie/hippie philosophy of communal property and deprive people of their property rights. Zoning laws were developed to allow a balance between the needs of the community and property rights. If I don't want a McDonald's next door, and bought my property with the expectation that the adjoining property couldn't be used in that way, how does it not violate my property rights to change the zoning on the back end?

AndyA: I took my information from the South Walton Community Council's March newsletter. I am not at all sure if the motion to have an ordinance drafted was made by Sara Comander because it was her idea or because she is the chair of the BCC, only that she made the motion. I was surprised that she would be involved, heretofore I thought she was our best commissioner. Please fill us all in on what you were told. Nevertheless, I still believe early community response is what Walton County officials have requested from the public time and time again -- and I don't think letting our county officials know our thoughts on this issue is either an attack or a mistake.

I believe she is a member of the Planning Comission
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Aren't you Robert Nelson's daughter?

Aren't you Robert Nelson's daughter?

And what if she was? (really, I don't know, but I doubt it.)

No I am not his daughter,old enoug to be his mother but I am not his mother either.:lol

did ya'll read the thread about the diner on 331...maybe that means we don't have to have fast food drive thrus.....a diner with yummy home cooking would be so much better.

Have not seen it, or been yet, but hope it's good. Someone is taking good advantage of a current situation apparently.

McDonalds - corner of Moll Drive and HWY 98