Eastern Lake Outfall Parcel Purchase

The county voted to approve the purchase about a month ago. It probably hasn't been finalized but I haven't heard anything else about it.

It's up for finalization with the chairs signature Tuesday night.

This is good news. It's a great spot for locals and Eastern Rd area/Lakewood tourists/residents alike. Just need a parking solution!

Just need a parking solution!

Parking appears to have been voted on at BCC meeting 6-14
30A Parking Improvements-60% Submittal

They have been dealing with two parcels in that area, one on either side of the lake outfall. They approved a contract for purchase of the Russell property on June 14, which is believe is adjacent to the Port Authority property. They are supposed to take up a contract on the other property,at the county commission meeting on Tuesday. It has been stated that the TDC is funding these purchases.

Miznotebook: I was under the impression that the Harrell property to the west of the inlet was secured well before the Russell property on the east side. I have never known you to be wrong with the facts, so I'm hoping it's me this time.

They've been working to get the Harrell/Head property for quite some time, but the purchase contract has not been approved yet. It's on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting. The asking price went up after the contract on the Russell property was approved.

Such a travesty that any property anywhere near an outfall was ever made private.

The property I'm referring to is the beachfront lot - fronting the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent to (and currently owned by/with) the long-time renovation project house at 187 San Roy Dr. Is it being acquired along with the above-referenced parking parcels?

Will the Harrell & Head acquisitions include the two existing houses which, depending on the pattern of the outflow, sometimes nearly hang over the lake?

The parcel to the east of the inlet is the Peter Russell property. He is the guy that owns the totally renovated house. He is selling the eastern two thirds of the parcel directly west of the house. The house is on a separate lot, and not part of the deal. The Harrel/Head parcel that is to be acquired in a separate deal does not include the houses, only the portion of beach seaward of the houses. These both are incredibly good deals for the county to acquire for the good of the general public. I think Bill Head and Ron Harrell bought those houses around 1980-ish. Those houses were built in the seventies when there was nothing out there. No condos, no swarms of tourist, no issues with the inlet, no fill sand deposited in the flood plain of the inlet. Nothing. I can find no fault in Head and Harrell buying existing houses in exquisite locations, and bearing the brunt of all natural and manmade disasters that have transpired though the years. I hope they get a good price for selling the beachfront to the county because they have been good, amicable stewards of that land though the years.

Thanks for the information, @Lake View Too ! I was hoping to hear that it would include the beach front parcel as well as the ones on Eastern Lake Road, so this is great news! Historically speaking, I'm glad to hear that the Head and Harrell houses will remain. I've been visiting the area since 1988 and those houses have always been there; the Head house is one which to me seems to have suffered the most from people trying to manipulate the outflow. The owners (and their guests) have definitely put up with a lot over the years; at times, it's probably like living in the house that John Candy's character family stayed in next to a public beach access in the movie "Summer Rental" but I agree it's an exquisite location! We spend about 45-50 days in the area each year and love that particular part of Seagrove.

I was at the meeting when they discussed and approved the Russell parcel. I was so impressed with the public comments of the affection everyone has for Eastern Lake Inlet. If these two acquisitions are finalized, it's a great moment for South Walton County.

Walton County Press Release

Walton County BCC Purchases Property on Eastern Lake; Increases Public Beach Access

In a continued effort to provide additional public access to the beach, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners has been looking to purchase additional beach property throughout the County.

During their regular meeting on August 9th, the WCBCC gave final approval for the signing of a purchase contract and sets the final closing for a piece of beach property that is just to the West of Eastern Lake, which includes the Eastern Lake outfall.

"We are fortunate to be able to come to an agreement on the outfall parcel," said District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows. "We have been trying to purchase coastal dune lake outfalls for years. If other parcels are added, this will be an even better beach for the public."

The BCC is currently working to finalize the purchase of adjacent parcels to the east of the recently purchased parcel which will provide a contiguous increase in the public beach that is located in the Eastern Lake area.

Do beach vendors get 50% of that purchase also?

Walton County Press Release

Walton County BCC Purchases Property on Eastern Lake; Increases Public Beach Access

In a continued effort to provide additional public access to the beach, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners has been looking to purchase additional beach property throughout the County.

During their regular meeting on August 9th, the WCBCC gave final approval for the signing of a purchase contract and sets the final closing for a piece of beach property that is just to the West of Eastern Lake, which includes the Eastern Lake outfall.

"We are fortunate to be able to come to an agreement on the outfall parcel," said District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows. "We have been trying to purchase coastal dune lake outfalls for years. If other parcels are added, this will be an even better beach for the public."

The BCC is currently working to finalize the purchase of adjacent parcels to the east of the recently purchased parcel which will provide a contiguous increase in the public beach that is located in the Eastern Lake area.

View attachment 61514

Are you sure about this map, Kurt? I don't understand why the present owners would give up their driveways.

Probably. And the vending areas will be chosen without any input from the community.
Vending on public beach accesses definitely needs to be addressed in future BCC meetings.

Are you sure about this map, Kurt? I don't understand why the present owners would give up their driveways.

Aerial image came with press release from WalCo.

I find it maddening and confusing that we have to pay for beach property. Especially property that is mostly underwater.

Are you sure about this map, Kurt? I don't understand why the present owners would give up their driveways.

Photo sent today has the driveway crossed out. Someone heard you.

It must have been The Donald. I'm in direct contact with him on another thread.

I find it maddening and confusing that we have to pay for beach property. Especially property that is mostly underwater.

If the property is deeded and privately owned, why not?
If someone wants to "gift" his property to the county/state, that's great. But it shouldnt be expected.
Correct?

If the property is deeded and privately owned, why not?
If someone wants to "gift" his property to the county/state, that's great. But it shouldnt be expected.
Correct?

It's ridiculous that it is private. That it was sold in the first place. No one should have been given the right to sell it or buy it. But it was done. So now we should return it back to the people with eminent domain. All of it.
It can't be built on so any money given to "owners" should be very small.

It's ridiculous that it is private. That it was sold in the first place. No one should have been given the right to sell it or buy it. But it was done. So now we should return it back to the people with eminent domain. All of it.
It can't be built on so any money given to "owners" should be very small.

I'm quite sure you'd feel the same if it was your property.

It's ridiculous that it is private. That it was sold in the first place. No one should have been given the right to sell it or buy it. But it was done. So now we should return it back to the people with eminent domain. All of it.
It can't be built on so any money given to "owners" should be very small.

Even in eminent domain, there would be payment of "just" compensation, whatever that might mean.

Even in eminent domain, there would be payment of "just" compensation, whatever that might mean.

Yes that's why I said small amount of $.

I'm sure an owner or appraiser would try to jack it up to high hell because of the high cost of gulf front but a strip of sand that you can't build on should have a low value for eminent domain. You can't even sell the sand off of it so you can't even add that value to it.