This Saturday (7/27) there will be a meeting at 10am at the Grande Pointe clubhouse in Inlet Beach regarding the proposed Dollar General at North Walton Lakeshore/98.
The DG goes back before the DRB on 8/1 and then the PC on 8/8. If those go well it goes to the BOCC on 8/13.
The store already got sent back once for lighting issues. If you have been to their other locations you will notice how unkept they are and how bright their lighting is at night.
This property has a water view with residential on 3 sides. A Dollar General is not appropriate there.
This meeting is to organize our plan of letting our elected officials know we do not want a DG in Inlet Beach. We also plan on organizing a petition regarding the store.
Dollar General has also been invited to the meeting to hear our concerns.
We hope you can pass the word around and see you Saturday at the Grande Pointe Clubhouse at 10am.
Chris
Replies
32
Beach Crab
Chris,
I too agree that a Dollar General does not fit the atmosphere in the Scenic Corridor. We definitely do not want visitors to be greeted by a low-end, chain retailer as they enter the county.
Trey
I too agree that a Dollar General does not fit the atmosphere in the Scenic Corridor. We definitely do not want visitors to be greeted by a low-end, chain retailer as they enter the county.
Trey
Beach ComberAuthor
#31
We have an online petition available for people to sign to say NO to Dollar General in Inlet Beach! Sign it here...
http://www.change.org/petitions/wal...s-do-not-allow-dollar-general-in-inlet-beach#
In addition to Dollar General seeking approval from the DRB on 8/1 for the design of their store they as well as other businesses are asking for change in the scenic corridor ordinance to allow 100 sq ft. of outdoor merchandise sales along the Hwy 98/331 corridor. Dollar General is already doing this in violation of the current ordinance which DOES NOT allow for the sale of merchandise outside of the store. Now they want the rule they are already breaking changed. Go to the DRB at the South Walton Annex on 8/1 at 5pm to let your voice be heard!
http://www.change.org/petitions/wal...s-do-not-allow-dollar-general-in-inlet-beach#
In addition to Dollar General seeking approval from the DRB on 8/1 for the design of their store they as well as other businesses are asking for change in the scenic corridor ordinance to allow 100 sq ft. of outdoor merchandise sales along the Hwy 98/331 corridor. Dollar General is already doing this in violation of the current ordinance which DOES NOT allow for the sale of merchandise outside of the store. Now they want the rule they are already breaking changed. Go to the DRB at the South Walton Annex on 8/1 at 5pm to let your voice be heard!
Beach ComberAuthor
Here are a bunch of pictures strung together of how the 2 existing Dollar Generals look. Notice the poor landscape maintenance, trash, and code violations with merchandise for sale outside of the store.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Why does our county have trouble enforcing ordinances?????? Those photo's made me sick and please don't label me a snob but this is NOT the same area we moved to 13 years ago and our slice of paradise has been on the decline ever since. I think some call it progress but we are becoming another Panama City and if you don't believe it, just look around and take note of the future development scheduled for that area. The traffic alone at the intersection of 30A & 98 will be a nightmare and the locals will have to deal with it all year long. Frankly, we don't leave our house now and probably won't until September!
Beach Fanatic
The outdoor merchandise displays are really tacky and trashy looking. Code enforcement needs to be cracking down on this. The Snappy Turtles and other beach crap stores and the aptly named 30a Junk store are eyesores.
SoWal Expert
I believe that whole intersection area is zoned commercial, and judging from the progress of the project and what I have heard, it looks like that ship has sailed, along with the rest of the new businesses slated to go there ( shopping center, Donut Hole). Focus may now need to be on working with Dollar General and the others to reach a compromise on the exterior of the building, landscaping, etc.
I am not sure the best way to stay ahead of the game when these compatibility issues come up as there aren't enough hours in the day to read the legals, go to meetings, watch the county government online postings and records, etc. -so many times we find out about these things after it is too late to have input, be involved in changes, etc.
I am not sure the best way to stay ahead of the game when these compatibility issues come up as there aren't enough hours in the day to read the legals, go to meetings, watch the county government online postings and records, etc. -so many times we find out about these things after it is too late to have input, be involved in changes, etc.
Beach Fanatic
It is the Design Review Board's job to consider the aesthetics of developments on the U.S. 98 Scenic Corridor, i.e. make sure the requirements of the Scenic Corridor Standards are met. The standards include things such as the architecture, paint color, landscaping, and signage. For people who are concerned about this aspect of the project, the DRB meeting would be a good place to weigh in. The project is scheduled to come before the DRB on Aug. 1. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. at the South Walton Annex. And yes, there are a lot of meetings....
Beach Fanatic
Focus may now need to be on working with Dollar General and the others to reach a compromise on the exterior of the building, landscaping, etc.
Their Shalimar store is actually not too bad in terms of aesthetics because local residents there pushed for higher design standards and facade materials requirements as well as putting sign limits on the parcel. Something similar in Inlet Beach wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen. It's far nicer than another Dollar General that's maybe 3 miles south of it on Eglin Pkwy.
Beach ComberAuthor
#102
Good News....
We got another delay of the Dollar General at the Design Review Board meeting last week! That means it must go back to the DRB Meeting on Thursday, Sept 5 again. It was denied this time for more lighting issues, fake windows, and landscape issues. The DRB was going to conditionally approve it if they made those changes, but thankfully the few that attended raised their voices and said they should not and that 1 more month to make sure things are done right is not a bad thing. Thank you to those that spoke up. This is also an example of why as many of us as possible needs to attend these meetings!
It is likely the store will pass the DRB in September so that would bring up the Planning Committee on Thursday, September 12. After that it would be the BOCC on Monday, September 16. All these meetings are at the SoWal Annex at 5pm.
Ironically, after the DRB meeting this past week the other area Dollar General stores spruced up their landscaping. The developer also gave a sob story about this store and how although he sold his stores in Miramar and Santa Rosa Beach... this store he wanted to keep and he was looking for a house in Rosemary to live. Keep in mind that the way Dollar General works is a developer builds and owns the store and then leases it to Dollar General for a period (usually 15 years). Dollar General then manages the store. The developer I assume just collects rent checks from DG.
In all likelihood we will need a legal reason to prevent this store. They will eventually do what they need to gain approval. We are looking at the feasibility of doing a traffic study to de-bunk the one that Dollar General had done. These are really expensive so we are working as many avenues as possible. We will continue to pound the lighting issue as well as the impact on the residential areas around it.
Among the many issues... allowing the store to have any access onto North Walton Lakeshore is not an option. For those of us in Grande Pointe we are concerned our entry road will become a cut through to vehicles that want to return to PCB. Notice the maps... it is 4500' to go from the DG proposed exit to Orange Street where the U-turn would be. It is under 2000' to cut through Grande Pointe.
Fighting to get a traffic light at this intersection is a possibility too. This would also curb the speeding through Inlet Beach.
While we work on getting a traffic study we need to keep the pressure on the BOCC to let them know that Dollar General does not fit in Inlet Beach. It does not fit with our history nor does it fit with the new proposed developments that are underway and upscale.
Please keep passing the petition around, share on Facebook, call local media outlets, and even write letters to the editor.
http://www.change.org/petitions/wal...rs-do-not-allow-dollar-general-in-inlet-beach
Here is the contact info for the BOCC... http://www.co.walton.fl.us/Index.aspx?NID=112
Here is the Planning Commission Contact info... http://www.co.walton.fl.us/index.aspx?NID=160
Finally, there was some discussion that the developer of the store and maybe Dollar General would meet with us residents. If this happens I will let you know.
Thanks again for your support.
Sincerely,
Chris Smith
We got another delay of the Dollar General at the Design Review Board meeting last week! That means it must go back to the DRB Meeting on Thursday, Sept 5 again. It was denied this time for more lighting issues, fake windows, and landscape issues. The DRB was going to conditionally approve it if they made those changes, but thankfully the few that attended raised their voices and said they should not and that 1 more month to make sure things are done right is not a bad thing. Thank you to those that spoke up. This is also an example of why as many of us as possible needs to attend these meetings!
It is likely the store will pass the DRB in September so that would bring up the Planning Committee on Thursday, September 12. After that it would be the BOCC on Monday, September 16. All these meetings are at the SoWal Annex at 5pm.
Ironically, after the DRB meeting this past week the other area Dollar General stores spruced up their landscaping. The developer also gave a sob story about this store and how although he sold his stores in Miramar and Santa Rosa Beach... this store he wanted to keep and he was looking for a house in Rosemary to live. Keep in mind that the way Dollar General works is a developer builds and owns the store and then leases it to Dollar General for a period (usually 15 years). Dollar General then manages the store. The developer I assume just collects rent checks from DG.
In all likelihood we will need a legal reason to prevent this store. They will eventually do what they need to gain approval. We are looking at the feasibility of doing a traffic study to de-bunk the one that Dollar General had done. These are really expensive so we are working as many avenues as possible. We will continue to pound the lighting issue as well as the impact on the residential areas around it.
Among the many issues... allowing the store to have any access onto North Walton Lakeshore is not an option. For those of us in Grande Pointe we are concerned our entry road will become a cut through to vehicles that want to return to PCB. Notice the maps... it is 4500' to go from the DG proposed exit to Orange Street where the U-turn would be. It is under 2000' to cut through Grande Pointe.
Fighting to get a traffic light at this intersection is a possibility too. This would also curb the speeding through Inlet Beach.
While we work on getting a traffic study we need to keep the pressure on the BOCC to let them know that Dollar General does not fit in Inlet Beach. It does not fit with our history nor does it fit with the new proposed developments that are underway and upscale.
Please keep passing the petition around, share on Facebook, call local media outlets, and even write letters to the editor.
http://www.change.org/petitions/wal...rs-do-not-allow-dollar-general-in-inlet-beach
Here is the contact info for the BOCC... http://www.co.walton.fl.us/Index.aspx?NID=112
Here is the Planning Commission Contact info... http://www.co.walton.fl.us/index.aspx?NID=160
Finally, there was some discussion that the developer of the store and maybe Dollar General would meet with us residents. If this happens I will let you know.
Thanks again for your support.
Sincerely,
Chris Smith
Beach ComberAuthor
#111
Apparently the outdoor merchandise sales issue was not dead with the DRB last week. That apparently is just a recommendation meaning the PC could vote to approve it anyway. So, as many people as possible need to show up tonight at the SoWal Annex on 331 at 5pm for the PC meeting. Attached is the agenda.
Thanks,
Chris
Thanks,
Chris
SWGB
If you want the planning commission to take you seriously don't refer to them as a DRB or Design Review Board. The two are completely different.
Beach Fanatic
The DRB vote on Aug. 1 was a recommendation, and the planning commission's vote tonight will be too. The proposed ordinance is on the county commission agenda for next Tuesday, and the county commission's decision will be the final one. The meeting starts at 4 p.m. at the South Walton Annex.
Beach ComberAuthor
#141
Outdoor Ordinance/Dollar General DRB Meeting Tonight 9/5...
Last week several of us met with the developers of the Dollar General. They have agreed to make some minor modifications to the store. Mainly adding a 'beachy tower'. See the below picture.
We were told that the NWL access is a must for the store to go in... both for customers coming from the west so they do not have to U-turn to get there, but also for a delivery truck to access the store. This entrance/exit is a big concern of us in Grande Pointe in particular bc our roads can not handle more traffic and it also provides the shortest, legal way to Bay County. The developers were unwilling to decrease the size of the store to more of a neighborhood feel. If the store was smaller perhaps their delivery trucks would be able to serve the store without the NWL access.
This Thursday and next Thursday are two big meetings for the store. The DRB is at 5pm this Thursday and the following Thursday (9/12) is the Planning Commission at the SoWal Annex. We need people to show up and speak. Last time we had just 4. We need many more than that. I am unsure when the store would go before the BOCC. I assume October if it passes DRB and PC.
If we can delay this store much longer it may do the deal in bc Dollar General has a 1st qtr deadline for this store to open by.
While this design is an improvement we still believe the store is too big for the location. It also does not enhance the surrounding neighborhood as required by the neighborhood-commercial plan. Plus, when just about everyone is in Inlet Beach does not want the store how can it be enhancing our neighborhood? This is a question that must be asked and an answer demanded from someone.
Tonight is also that tonight is also where the DRB tackles the outdoor merchandise issue again. This is something that Dollar General continues to do even though it is in violation of the ordinance. So, if you can find the time to go to the meeting tonight it will be kind of a 2-1 thing.
Our digital petition is just under 500 signatures. Please keep passing it around.
https://www.change.org/petitions/wa...rs-do-not-allow-dollar-general-in-inlet-beach
Thanks as always for your efforts.
Sincerely,
Chris
Last week several of us met with the developers of the Dollar General. They have agreed to make some minor modifications to the store. Mainly adding a 'beachy tower'. See the below picture.
We were told that the NWL access is a must for the store to go in... both for customers coming from the west so they do not have to U-turn to get there, but also for a delivery truck to access the store. This entrance/exit is a big concern of us in Grande Pointe in particular bc our roads can not handle more traffic and it also provides the shortest, legal way to Bay County. The developers were unwilling to decrease the size of the store to more of a neighborhood feel. If the store was smaller perhaps their delivery trucks would be able to serve the store without the NWL access.
This Thursday and next Thursday are two big meetings for the store. The DRB is at 5pm this Thursday and the following Thursday (9/12) is the Planning Commission at the SoWal Annex. We need people to show up and speak. Last time we had just 4. We need many more than that. I am unsure when the store would go before the BOCC. I assume October if it passes DRB and PC.
If we can delay this store much longer it may do the deal in bc Dollar General has a 1st qtr deadline for this store to open by.
While this design is an improvement we still believe the store is too big for the location. It also does not enhance the surrounding neighborhood as required by the neighborhood-commercial plan. Plus, when just about everyone is in Inlet Beach does not want the store how can it be enhancing our neighborhood? This is a question that must be asked and an answer demanded from someone.
Tonight is also that tonight is also where the DRB tackles the outdoor merchandise issue again. This is something that Dollar General continues to do even though it is in violation of the ordinance. So, if you can find the time to go to the meeting tonight it will be kind of a 2-1 thing.
Our digital petition is just under 500 signatures. Please keep passing it around.
https://www.change.org/petitions/wa...rs-do-not-allow-dollar-general-in-inlet-beach
Thanks as always for your efforts.
Sincerely,
Chris
Beach Fanatic
Do you have a site plan you can post?
Beach Fanatic
Strange they want to put one there when there is already one 10-15 minutes away in either direction.
SWGB
You can stand on the corner of Thomas Drive in PCB and see three of them. It's like WalMart bred with roaches.
Beach Fanatic
In response to an outcry from the community, developers for Dollar General Stores met with several home owners from the Inlet Beach community last week to try to address concerns.
According to a mass email sent out from community leaders, Dollar General developers have extended an olive branch and agreed to make some minor modifications to the store they are proposing to build.
The main modification developers have agreed to make is the addition of a tower to the top of the building to lend a beachy appearance.
Community leaders were also reportedly told that the North Walton Lakeshore access is a must for the store to go in — both for customers coming from the west so they do not have to U-turn, but also for a delivery truck to access the store. This entrance/exit is a big concern of many in the community who feel their roads can not handle more traffic and it also provides the shortest way into Bay County.
The developers were unwilling to decrease the size of the store to more of a neighborhood feel, however.
Todd Rice owns a house in the neighborhood of Grand Point, which is in Inlet Beach. He presently lives there part time but is on a three-year plan to relocate there full time.
"That area is a gateway to 30A," said Rice."That intersection is already scary and the whole area is vulnerable. Some (nice) neighborhoods have built up there and Dollar General is a negative. You want businesses that are unique to the area that do not deter positive growth."
Rice is currently based in Virginia, where he owns and operates a web developing company. He has owned the property in Inlet Beach for approximately 2 and a half years.
"We walk that way to the beach and there is so much traffic. The community should have a bigger say in what businesses go in. The area could compliment Rosemary Beach and the feel of the area," said Rice.
Walton County's Design Review Board meets this Thursday at 5 p.m., and next Thursday (Sept. 12) the Planning Commission meets at the South Walton Annex.
Neighborhood spokesmen said people need to show up and speak.
The community's digital petition is showing just under 500 signatures against Dollar General building in Inlet Beach .
According to a mass email sent out from community leaders, Dollar General developers have extended an olive branch and agreed to make some minor modifications to the store they are proposing to build.
The main modification developers have agreed to make is the addition of a tower to the top of the building to lend a beachy appearance.
Community leaders were also reportedly told that the North Walton Lakeshore access is a must for the store to go in — both for customers coming from the west so they do not have to U-turn, but also for a delivery truck to access the store. This entrance/exit is a big concern of many in the community who feel their roads can not handle more traffic and it also provides the shortest way into Bay County.
The developers were unwilling to decrease the size of the store to more of a neighborhood feel, however.
Todd Rice owns a house in the neighborhood of Grand Point, which is in Inlet Beach. He presently lives there part time but is on a three-year plan to relocate there full time.
"That area is a gateway to 30A," said Rice."That intersection is already scary and the whole area is vulnerable. Some (nice) neighborhoods have built up there and Dollar General is a negative. You want businesses that are unique to the area that do not deter positive growth."
Rice is currently based in Virginia, where he owns and operates a web developing company. He has owned the property in Inlet Beach for approximately 2 and a half years.
"We walk that way to the beach and there is so much traffic. The community should have a bigger say in what businesses go in. The area could compliment Rosemary Beach and the feel of the area," said Rice.
Walton County's Design Review Board meets this Thursday at 5 p.m., and next Thursday (Sept. 12) the Planning Commission meets at the South Walton Annex.
Neighborhood spokesmen said people need to show up and speak.
The community's digital petition is showing just under 500 signatures against Dollar General building in Inlet Beach .
Beach ComberAuthor
Just a reminder that the BoCC meeting regarding the Dollar General in Inlet Beach is tomorrow at 4pm at the SoWal Annex. While not everyone needs to speak we need as many people as possible to show up. This is the final step in the approval process.
We are currently last on the agenda so I would make sure to be there no later than 5pm just in case they blow through everything else.
If you need a ride there please just say so as I am sure we can find someone to help get you there.
Thanks in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Chris Smith
850-249-6419
We are currently last on the agenda so I would make sure to be there no later than 5pm just in case they blow through everything else.
If you need a ride there please just say so as I am sure we can find someone to help get you there.
Thanks in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Chris Smith
850-249-6419
Beach Lover
It might be good for the snobby crowd at Rosemary Beach to mingle with po folks.
Beach Fanatic
It might be good for the snobby crowd at Rosemary Beach to mingle with po folks.
love it!
Beach Fanatic
I'm one of the Po folks living in Inlet and I don't want Dollar General or any other chain or plastic crap dealer opening up here. We don't need that garbage on our beaches, blowing down our roads, filling the dumps. I would love to see Sowal stay quiet and largely undeveloped but if it must be developed, couldn't it be done responsibly?
SoWal Insider
but where will you buy your $1.00 reading glasses?
Banned
I looks like the bikers got the message to stay away from the glorious South Walton during Thunder Beach. I didn't notice too many motorcycles and I was in Seagrove Beach the whole week. I hope none you delicate people didn't have to put in your ear plugs or be otherwise inconvenienced by all those motorcycle buffs.
Beach Fanatic
I think the Karen forecasts had a lot to do with that.
Beach Lover
Did the Dollar General get voted down by the planning board?
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