Hampton Inn Seagrove Beach on Chateau Hotel Property

What I wrote is from firsthand experience with prior developments. What part of what I wrote do you have an issue with?

I mispoke. On re-reading your post, I agree with all you have said. I originally had a problem with the "elite" part.

Dear Residents & Homeowners of 30A,

Protect 30A from Proposed Hampton Inn Development in Seagrove.

Please sign this petition and forward to your fellow residents of 30A! Each Commissioner on the Planning Board will automatically receive an email expressing concern by signing the online petition.

Our Walton County Commissioners will be meeting Thursday, Dec 11, at 5:00 at the Walton County Annex with approval of building a Hampton Inn on 30A in Seagrove Beach. I believe approval of this project would be detrimental to 30A for homeowners, friends and visitors of 30A alike.

30A has been uniquely preserved and is one set apart from Panama City Beach, Sandestin, Destin, etc. where permanent residents, homeowners, and seasonal visitors come to escape such development. Please sign the online petition letting the Walton County Planning Commission know you oppose the proposed Hampton Inn development on 30A. In addition, call and contact each representative in the petition. If you are not able to attend, don’t assume it will not be approved. Ensure you voice is heard by signing the online petition!



I created a petition to the following:
Bill Chapman, District 1 Commissioner
Cecilia Jones, District 2 Commissioner
Bill Imfeld, District 3 Commissioner, Chair

Sara Comander (R), District 4 Commissioner, Vice Chair

Cindy Meadows (R), District 5 Commissioner

Carrie Thiemann



Please sign this petition and forward to your fellow residents of 30A!


Click here to view and sign: http://havn.re/Protect30A or
[h=5]http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/protect-30a-from-proposed?source=c.em.cp&r_by=11998620[/h]

MC Davis is not only an environmentalist but a business man, which means, I am sure he will be happy to sell you guys the property to build a public park or whatever happy little thing you choose with it.

After looking at the development plan I would label him a douche who cares not for the area, residents or visitors, who pulled off a great PR coup by 'giving' land to environmental causes. But I guess sliminess is in the eye of the beholder.

Not a developer just seen this movie before.

It's all about COMPATIBILITY.

Seems like this should be classified as a "major development order". A more involved process with more hoops to jump through. If it's not yet then making a little noise with planning will have them push it to a major D. O. Major D. O. includes language about compatibility. If enough people who live there argue it is not compatible there is a possibility of nixing it. It then becomes political. Might not work since there are a couple of big condos near there.

If it comes down to a compromise then you may get the number of rooms reduced, limit lighting and parking, and maybe even force a more pleasing design.

I've seen a few Hampton Inns in downtown areas that kind of match the architecture. Also would be good to have all the parking out of sight.

Condo owners, associations, and small hotels should be leading the charge. A chain hotel will bring competition and lower rents.

Okay, thanks for the advice. I'll focus on compatibility because that's how we beat Toscana, eight 4000-square-ft. homes on a footprint that's .63 acre (so they had to go vertical, not compatible with the neighborhood in Seagrove) and to be sold for, if my memory serves me correctly, a total of about 40 million dollars. Also I like the things JKBeach said.

If you want to talk compatibility, you need only draw a half mile radius, and I'll bet close to 50% of the dwellings are mobile homes. Maybe some exaggeration, but this area contains much of the old Florida we love.

Make sure you ask the planning commission about storm water runoff. From what I've seen of the plans there is no plan except to dump it on adjoining parcels.

After looking at the development plan I would label him a douche who cares not for the area, residents or visitors, who pulled off a great PR coup by 'giving' land to environmental causes. But I guess sliminess is in the eye of the beholder.

No doubt you've given millions to environmental causes as well in order to call him a douche, but since you have why not spend a few more and buy this property from him and open a scrub oak and sea oat forest with high fences all around???






or you could just make another few thousand posts online and pretend it's just as valuable...

1. Not compatible with 30A style. We Old Fart SoWallers don't like chains. If you want chains, go to Destin or Panty Maw City. That being said, I can't believe Subway got in. But Starbucks has gone bye-bye.
2. Hampton Inn -- not classy. The hotel in Rosemary -- classy. We try to stay classy on 30A.
3. A condo that sleeps the same number of people would not address the Eastern Lake Road beach access problems.
4. I'm not happy about chain hotels on 98. But when that happens, Walton County needs to charge for entrance to the public beach accesses and start towing vehicles parked on private property near these accesses. As a homeowner in WaterSound, I have to pay a yearly fee to use the Deer Lake access. And I pay a lot of taxes to Walton County every year. So I don't think it's too much to ask short-term visitors to pay for beach access.

Ha ha BR, we Old Fart SoWallers don't like chains. Don't knock my Panama City Beach, we vacation there but in privately owned condos/townhouses. But we can't afford the classy along 30A. Anyway, I can't see a 90 room place over there myself. Hopefully it won't be built for your all's benefit.

I've seen a few Hampton Inns in downtown areas that kind of match the architecture. Also would be good to have all the parking out of sight.

The one in Fairhope, AL blends with the surrounding village pretty well. Didn't know it was a Hampton Inn until we saw the sign to it.

If you want to talk compatibility, you need only draw a half mile radius, and I'll bet close to 50% of the dwellings are mobile homes. Maybe some exaggeration, but this area contains much of the old Florida we love.

Not sure mobile home preservation argument will work. ;-)

Precedence. We let one in, and the La Quinta, Hyatt Place, Comfort Inn, etc. will be able to follow. Great places on the interstate, but not compatible with the style of vacation experience that people expect on 30A. Nobody plans a vacation here then looks for lodging in a chain hotel. The 30a vacationers might stay in a hotel chain while traveling here, but don't want to see one when they arrive.

I am very concerned about beach access problems.

Dear Residents & Homeowners of 30A,

Protect 30A from Proposed Hampton Inn Development in Seagrove.

Please sign this petition and forward to your fellow residents of 30A! Each Commissioner on the Planning Board will automatically receive an email expressing concern by signing the online petition.

Our Walton County Commissioners will be meeting Thursday, Dec 11, at 5:00 at the Walton County Annex with approval of building a Hampton Inn on 30A in Seagrove Beach. I believe approval of this project would be detrimental to 30A for homeowners, friends and visitors of 30A alike.

30A has been uniquely preserved and is one set apart from Panama City Beach, Sandestin, Destin, etc. where permanent residents, homeowners, and seasonal visitors come to escape such development. Please sign the online petition letting the Walton County Planning Commission know you oppose the proposed Hampton Inn development on 30A. In addition, call and contact each representative in the petition. If you are not able to attend, don’t assume it will not be approved. Ensure you voice is heard by signing the online petition!



I created a petition to the following:
Bill Chapman, District 1 Commissioner
Cecilia Jones, District 2 Commissioner
Bill Imfeld, District 3 Commissioner, Chair

Sara Comander (R), District 4 Commissioner, Vice Chair

Cindy Meadows (R), District 5 Commissioner

Carrie Thiemann



Please sign this petition and forward to your fellow residents of 30A!


Click here to view and sign: http://havn.re/Protect30A or
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/protect-30a-from-proposed?source=c.em.cp&r_by=11998620

Thanks for creating this petition and sharing on SoWal Forums! It is now viral on facebook!

As of today...
There are currently 1,880 signatures. NEW goal - We need 2,000 signatures!

Photo of proposed Chateau/Hampton Inn site by Lynn Nesmith (facebook)

90 units on 2.4 acres with no stormwater retention? How is that even legal?

The meeting to consider the approval of the Hampton Inn to be built next to Seagrove Baptist Church on 30A is Thursday, Dec 11 at 5:00 in the Walton County Annex. There are petitions out there that can be signed if you are unable to go. Building this Hampton Inn on this location with be a detriment to the area ecologically, logistically as far as traffic, and will change the face of the 30A that people have come from all over the world to enjoy for many, many years. Not to mention leading to the reduction of our property values. Please come to the meeting and let your voice be heard on this development plan.

No doubt you've given millions to environmental causes as well in order to call him a douche, but since you have why not spend a few more and buy this property from him and open a scrub oak and sea oat forest with high fences all around???






or you could just make another few thousand posts online and pretend it's just as valuable...

I stand corrected, he is a pine scented douche

WJHG wants to do a story on this potential development. We were out there today and everyone we talked to was against it, but no one would go on camera. We really can't do a story without folks talking about it. Anyone that would be willing to speak feel free to contact me and I will have a reporter get in touch with you.

Thanks,

Chris
chris.smith@wjhg.com

WJHG wants to do a story on this potential development. We were out there today and everyone we talked to was against it, but no one would go on camera. We really can't do a story without folks talking about it. Anyone that would be willing to speak feel free to contact me and I will have a reporter get in touch with you.

Thanks,

Chris
chris.smith@wjhg.com

Where were you Chris?

No doubt you've given millions to environmental causes as well in order to call him a douche, but since you have why not spend a few more and buy this property from him and open a scrub oak and sea oat forest with high fences all around???






or you could just make another few thousand posts online and pretend it's just as valuable...

It's ridiculous to suggest that a private citizen should purchase the property (totally impractical due to how many owners of vacant property could propose developments that violate the character and quality of life of 30A). What the Planning Commission is presenting on behalf of the owner is a bad proposal. That's what the Planning Commission and BCC rules are supposed to prevent.

And how can you assume to know what certain individuals have donated in either money or sweat equity for environmental causes? And actually that's not the point.

The one in Fairhope, AL blends with the surrounding village pretty well. Didn't know it was a Hampton Inn until we saw the sign to it.

You can't compare Fair Hope to 30A.

At tonight's County Commission meeting, some people showed up thinking that the hotel was on the agenda. The county commission chairman announced that this was a Planning Commission item and he had been told that it would be delayed to the Jan. 8 Planning Commission meeting. However I think the Planning Commission has to vote on Dec. 11 to officially delay the proposal.

I didn't see this posted yet, but here's a petition you can sign if you do not want the Hampton Inn to be on 30A. You can also pass this link onto your friends who are not on SoWal.com:

Will you sign the petition too? Click here to add your name:

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/protect-30a-from-proposed?source=s.fwd&r_by=12027827

The petition says:

That's why I signed a petition to Bill Chapman, District 1 Commissioner, Cecilia Jones, District 2 Commissioner, Bill Imfeld, District 3 Commissioner, Chair, Sara Comande, District 4 Commissioner, Vice Chair, Cindy Meadows, District 5 Commissioner, and Carrie Thiemann, which says:

"William "Bill" Chapman, District 1 Commissioner
9446 Rock Hill Road
Ponce de Leon, FL 32455
Office (850) 835-4860
chabill@co.walton.fl.us

Dear Commissioner Meadows,

I am writing with great concern over the proposed Hampton Inn development in Seagrove. I am truly shocked that this project would be considered as it goes against the heart of 30A—it’s non-commercial appeal and preservation of beautifully unique neighborhoods. Introducing a chain hotel would change the face of 30A for its residents, friends and visitors of 30A alike.

30A has set itself apart due to its high values and insight from our Planning Commission and County Commissioners. I know that you very well understand the importance of this as you are a leader with great vision, a champion in neighborhood preservation and were instrumental in designating 30 A as a Florida Scenic Highway.

In closing, I stress that I believe approval of this project would be detrimental to our area. Please do not approve the proposed Hampton Inn development in Seagrove!

Thank you!
"

I didn't see this posted yet, but here's a petition you can sign if you do not want the Hampton Inn to be on 30A. You can also pass this link onto your friends who are not on SoWal.com:

Ethan posted it on post #53 but that's Ok it's probably good to post it again.

Where were you Chris?

It was not me... it was our SoWal reporter, Cristina. She stopped by pretty much every business from One Seagrove to Watersound and no one would publicly comment.

The reporter on this story Wed/Thu is Meg Rose. Her email is meg.rose@wjhg.com if anyone wants to reach out to her and comment.

--Chris

At tonight's County Commission meeting, some people showed up thinking that the hotel was on the agenda. The county commission chairman announced that this was a Planning Commission item and he had been told that it would be delayed to the Jan. 8 Planning Commission meeting. However I think the Planning Commission has to vote on Dec. 11 to officially delay the proposal.

Maybe it's just me (not paying enough attention), but it seems like a lot of these more controversial projects seem to be brought up to the Boards around Christmas time, when people are very pre-occupied, or January, when very few people are here, to voice opposing opinions, or are still distracted by post-Christmas bills and football. Is this just coincidence? And who will give a damn about a petition that was signed "last year"?