Hampton Inn Seagrove Beach on Chateau Hotel Property

Videos of the BCC meetings are available for anyone to view, including commissioners.

miznotebook, good point.

Please Attend the Hampton Inn Meeting on April 20


Next Monday afternoon, April 20th a critical decision will be made by our County Commissioners concerning our community’s future. That decision will be whether or not to allow the construction of a 50,000 sq. foot Hampton Inn hotel on Scenic Highway 30A in Seagrove Beach. The construction of a Hampton Inn on a site that was originally intended for mixed use development now is before our Commissioners and it is anticipated that a final vote will be taken at the April 20th meeting.

Some say that this is just the price of growth for our community. Others say it should be the right of the property owners to be able to build anything they want as long as it complies with the Walton County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code and other restrictions. Many other concerned citizens here in South Walton feel as passionately as we do that this is not in the best interests of our community, and does not meet the requirements of the Walton County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. In fact, over 9500 people signed an online petition voicing that concern in January and February of this year.

Hundreds of people have written letters, called our Commissioners, and shown up at County meetings to oppose this development. Why? We would infer from this outpouring of opposition that they would agree with us that this decision represents a tipping point for our community. If this project is allowed to go forward, it will set the standard for others like it to follow in its path, forever changing the character and uniqueness that is South Walton, and 30A in particular.

With the meeting less than a week away, we thought it might be helpful to revisit the main arguments against building this 90 room hotel in our community.

It does not meet the purpose or intent of a VMU Center. Simply stated, this project does not meet the definition of a mixed use development. In fact, the developer has admitted that this project will be serving just one use, that of a hotel. The intent of the VMU classification is to provide for multiple uses that create a sense of place and identity (think Seaside, Gulf Place, and Watercolor).

It does not meet the requirements for commercial use within a VMU. The plans submitted by the developer show a very small commercial space within the pool area for “commercial use” i.e. retail. The code states that the commercial use within a VMU is to be available for use by residents of the community. Does anyone believe that a 340 sq. ft. room within a restricted pool enclosure is intended for retail use by the local community?

It is not compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods. The LDC states that a VMU center must encourage and promote transitioning development from lower density to higher density to ensure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods. This project does not meet this definition and in fact does not fit in with the mostly residential neighborhoods around this proposed site.

Parking will be an issue. While the proposed plan does technically meet the County’s requirement for parking, 1.1 spaces per room does not adequately meet the real need for parking for a 90 room hotel, especially since many of the rooms will sleep six people. If there are 2 cars per room or more (which is very realistic) where are the additional cars going to park? Our friends at the Baptist Church next door, as well as adjacent businesses and property owners along 30A are very concerned with this overflow problem.

Preservation. Finally, historically Walton County has required this parcel of land to protect the endangered plant life on the property, meaning that a substantial portion of this parcel must be reserved for preservation. The County has provided us with documentation where prior developers were repeatedly told that a substantial amount of this property was reserved for preservation. None of those requirements have changed, and no one from the County has explained the change in policy. In addition, there is a stipulation in the code that, if approved by the County the developer may “buy out” half of the required preservation. This is not an entitlement. It is not automatic. The County Commissioners have the legal right to deny a buy out if they so choose.

We have not even addressed the impact this hotel will have on traffic on 30A. If anyone was driving (or trying to) over the past several weeks during Spring Break we don’t believe anyone with a straight face would say adding another 50 cars to the peak hour traffic on this overused stretch of road is a good idea.

We have tried to make these points during the previous County meetings on this issue. With the generous support of our community, we raised over $30,000 to pay for legal services to help fight this fight. It will all come down to a vote on Monday night with our County Commissioners.

We strongly encourage any and all who feel South Walton is a special place and want to keep it that way to attend this very important meeting. It starts at 4:00 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Middle School. Please come and show your opposition and in doing so protect our community.

Our future depends on it.

See you there.

Kelley Mossburg

President, South Walton Community Council

Hampton Inn Meeting TODAY 4 pm at Emerald Coast Middle School!

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[TD] To the Citizens of South Walton County,
Next Monday afternoon, April 20th a critical decision will be made by our County Commissioners concerning our communit[FONT=&quot]y[/FONT]’[FONT=&quot]s[/FONT] future. That decision will be whether or not to allow the construction of a 50,000 sq. foot Hampton Inn hotel on Scenic Highway 30A in Seagrove Beach. The construction of a Hampton Inn on a site that was originally intended for mixed use development now is before our Commissioners and it is anticipated that a final vote will be taken at the April 20[SUP]th[/SUP] meeting.
Some say that this is just the price of growth for our community. Others say it should be the right of the property owners to be able to build anything they want as long as it complies with the Walton County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code and other restrictions. Many other concerned citizens here in South Walton feel as passionately as we do that this is not in the best interests of our community, and does not meet the requirements of the Walton County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. In fact, over 9500 people signed an online petition voicing that concern in January and February of this year. Hundreds of people have written letters, called our Commissioners, and shown up at County meetings to oppose this development. Why? We would infer from this outpouring of opposition that they would agree with us that this decision represents a tipping point for our community. If this project is allowed to go forward, it will set the standard for others like it to follow in its path, forever changing the character and uniqueness that is South Walton, and 30A in particular.
With the meeting less than a week away, we thought it might be helpful to revisit the main arguments against building this 90 room hotel in our community.
It does not meet the purpose or intent of a VMU Center. Simply stated, this project does not meet the definition of a mixed use development. In fact, the developer has admitted that this project will be serving just one use, that of a hotel. The intent of the VMU classification is to provide for multiple uses that create a sense of place and identity (think Seaside, Gulf Place, and Watercolor).
It does not meet the requirements for commercial use within a VMU. The plans submitted by the developer show a very small commercial space within the pool area for “commercial use” i.e. retail. The code states that the commercial use within a VMU is to be available for use by residents of the community. Does anyone believe that a 340 sq. ft. room within a restricted pool enclosure is intended for retail use by the local community?
It is not compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods. The LDC states that a VMU center must encourage and promote transitioning development from lower density to higher density to ensure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods. This project does not meet this definition and in fact does not fit in with the mostly residential neighborhoods around this proposed site.
Parking will be an issue. While the proposed plan does technically meet the County’s requirement for parking, 1.1 spaces per room does not adequately meet the real need for parking for a 90 room hotel, especially since many of the rooms will sleep six people. If there are 2 cars per room or more (which is very realistic) where are the additional cars going to park? Our friends at the Baptist Church next door, as well as adjacent businesses and property owners along 30A are very concerned with this overflow problem.
Preservation. Finally, historically Walton County has required this parcel of land to protect the endangered plant life on the property, meaning that a substantial portion of this parcel must be reserved for preservation. The County has provided us with documentation where prior developers were repeatedly told that a substantial amount of this property was reserved for preservation. None of those requirements have changed, and no one from the County has explained the change in policy. In addition, there is a stipulation in the code that, if approved by the County the developer may “buy out” half of the required preservation. This is not an entitlement. It is not automatic. The County Commissioners have the legal right to deny a buy out if they so choose.
We have not even addressed the impact this hotel will have on traffic on 30A. If anyone was driving (or trying to) over the past several weeks during Spring Break we don’t believe anyone with a straight face would say adding another 50 cars to the peak hour traffic on this overused stretch of road is a good idea.
We have tried to make these points during the previous County meetings on this issue. With the generous support of our community, we raised over $30,000 to pay for legal services to help fight this fight. It will all come down to a vote on Monday night with our County Commissioners.
We strongly encourage any and all who feel South Walton is a special place and want to keep it that way to attend this very important meeting. It starts at 4:00 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Middle School. Please come and show your opposition and in doing so protect our community.
Our future depends on it.
See you there.
Kelley Mossburg
President, South Walton Community Council

For more information, contact SWCC at southwaltoncc@gmail.com
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My Thoughts:

“Not In My Backyard”

Somehow, this phrase has taken on a negative connotation. And I don’t quite get that mind-set. Why wouldn’t you want to protect your backyard? Why wouldn’t you want to raise the drawbridge? There are laws that state a person has the right to defend his castle. It is only sensible to extend this concept to the legions of developers who want to exploit this region, so dear to us. I think it is our moral duty to challenge every developer, attempting to cross the bridge, and ask them: are you friend or foe? Is, what you are proposing, going to be become an enhancement of this wonderful area we live in, or is mainly designed to be an enhancement of your bank account. It isn’t a question of excluding anybody. It’s a question of, is each and every developer willing to accept the concept that this is our home, and this is our lifestyle, and we love it just the way it is. If you want to come here and do business here, please respect the fact that you are altering the nature of this place, forever.
I also want to expandon this concept of our “backyard”. To me, this is everybody’s backyard. This is where millions of people, not just from the Greater Southeast, but from all over the world, come, to get away from it all. They come to get away from the hustle and bustle of big city life. They come to retreat from the big buildings, filled with too many people, and filled with too much traffic. This corridor we call 30-A is their Backyard, where they can play in the sand and sea, grill hamburgers on the deck, or just sit in the sun, and relax. Their hometown has a Hampton Inn. Maybe three or four. Their home town has big buildings, multiple McDonald’s, and plenty of parking garages. Why would they want to come here for a visit, to see too much of the same thing they have at home?
So, if you think “Not In My Back Yard” is a selfish concept, it is something completely different. We are striving to be faithful stewards of what God has given us. We are defending this place, so that millions of your kids and your grand kids can come visit,and enjoy the same beautiful beaches as our grandparents invited us to visit,so many years ago.

Wonderful- thank you Lake View Too!

Sarah Comander was not at the meeting and had recused herself since she missed the last meeting. If it mirrors the last meeting the remaining 4 will be split 2/2 and the project fails to pass. Go to Walton County Ideas for Visioning on FB if you have it for up-dates.

Sarah Comander was not at the meeting and had recused herself since she missed the last meeting. If it mirrors the last meeting the remaining 4 will be split 2/2 and the project fails to pass. Go to Walton County Ideas for Visioning on FB if you have it for up-dates.

7:01pm and they haven't voted yet? 4:00 start.

Hampton Inn was denied 4-0. Cool!

And the lawsuit gets filed in 3....2....1......

Yay!!!!!! Prayers answered!!!!

And the lawsuit gets filed in 3....2....1......

Lawsuit beats setting precedent for chain hotels on 30a, not to mention a huge density project that is not compatible. South Walton woke up!!

If chain hotels are allowed, how long do you think it would be before we would be looking at a chain motel (Motel 6).

4-0 vote tonight to deny Hampton Inn on Scenic 30A. A packed house at Emerald Coast Middle School for the meeting. photo by Linda Miller who was in attendance along with many other SoWal locals - and hundreds more watching remotely from their homes (or the bar) for results on social media. As one friend said tonight, "Hampton OUT"...

Hope the money raised to fight this is donated to the county. It appears we are fixing to be sued...

Hope the money raised to fight this is donated to the county. It appears we are fixing to be sued...

Whatever happens, it will be worth every penny. Some things are priceless.

Whatever happens, it will be worth every penny. Some things are priceless.

To be clear, the citizens of the entire county should eagerly support using tax dollars to pay the legal fees for a group who wants to block the construction of a hotel on 30A?

To be clear, the citizens of the entire county should eagerly support using tax dollars to pay the legal fees for a group who wants to block the construction of a hotel on 30A?

Since South Walton is what is know as a "donor community" (most of the county revenue is generated south of the bay to support all), and since the 30A brand and property values are a good part of that, it is worth protecting. If it goes down the toilet, it is bad for all of Walton County.

SOUTH WALTON-- After months of discussion, and countless meetings, Walton County Commissioners voted not to move forward with the Hampton Inn project Monday night.
After many hours of talking about the project, commissioners agreed the project was not the right fit for 30A and South Walton.

The developor, Jenkins Engineering, based out of Destin, was asking for the board's approval to build a 59,000 square foot building, with 90 rooms, along with retail space on a 2.4 acre parcel.

Many residents voiced their concerns about this project, citing traffic issues, safety and the project not being compatible with South Walton's unique flare.

Commissioner Cindy Meadows, who made the motion to deny the project, says Walton County is at a tipping point, and they can't bring new developmenthttp://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/...ers-Deny-Hampton-Inn-Project--300738131.html# in if they can't keep up with what they have now.

"We have not even complied with our own Comprehensive Plan which says we must that says we must make sure the infrastructure is concurrent with development."

Some residents even suggested that the commissioners go back and rewrite ordinances that would not allow future commercial properties like this from applying or coming into the area.

News Channel 7

To be clear, the citizens of the entire county should eagerly support using tax dollars to pay the legal fees for a group who wants to block the construction of a hotel on 30A?

Yes. Now cough it up!

Since South Walton is what is know as a "donor community" (most of the county revenue is generated south of the bay to support all), and since the 30A brand and property values are a good part of that, it is worth protecting. If it goes down the toilet, it is bad for all of Walton County.

Not sure those north of the bay will feel you have their best interests in mind so good luck selling that in DFS.

Yes. Now cough it up!

I have a check made out to cash, just need to know the amount and where to send it.

I have a check made out to cash, just need to know the amount and where to send it.

Amount TBD. But don't so glum, at least it will likely be a one time payment whereas those of us in Seagrove have to perpetually pay for the increased policing and county services required in Miramar Beach where development was allowed to go unchallenged as it was here. You come out way ahead on this deal Poppy.

Amount TBD. But don't so glum, at least it will likely be a one time payment whereas those of us in Seagrove have to perpetually pay for the increased policing and county services required in Miramar Beach where development was allowed to go unchallenged as it was here. You come out way ahead on this deal Poppy.

The increased revenue from the thousands of tourists paying bed tax and spending money at local establishments more than offsets the increased policing expenditures. I honestly don't feel strongly one way or the other on the Hampton Inn issue or really care if the county spends the funds to defend it. I'm just curious how other county residents are going to feel about using tax dollars to defend the decision especially after many south of the bay complained about tax dollars being spent on the latest Alan Osborne lawsuit.

I'll worry about a lawsuit when they file it.

Based on the wording of Meadow's motion and her careful citing of specific statutues, I think they legally covered themselves on this one.

But if they do, I'd rather spend money on upholding our BCC's right to deny bad projects than on a Commissioner's ethical lapses.