As reported on WZEP AM 1460:
They are going to build a school in southern Walton and it probably will be an elementary. Walton Superintendent Carlene Anderson recommended moving forward with purchasing the Forest View property as the committee suggested. This is the property two miles east of Emerald Coast Middle School. This parcel is 33.75 acres. There are also two parcels directly north of ECMS being considered.
Tom Blackshear said the Forest View property is flat and is about 40 feet above sea level. The other parcel is also flat, but is 6 to 16 feet above sea level and has a stream flood area. The parcel north of the school also can be subject to storm surge. The east parcel, the old sprayfield parcel, has about three acres of wetlands. This also fronts U.S. 98 and the county may be buying adjacent property so the two could work together to develop infrastructure. Blackshear said they may have some constraints with accessing the parcel north of the school. There is a neighborhood to the north of the north property, but the residents have voiced objections to using their neighborhood for access.
The appraisals for Forest View came in at a $3.1 million average value. For the parcels north of ECMS the averages are $1.6 million and $1.1 million. He gave a number of adjustments for the wetlands and building an access road.
James Foley with the Point Washington Historical Association, said the use of the neighborhood to the north would not happen because the property owners do not want it. He also said the roads are only 30 feet and this would create additional traffic in Point Washington. He also noted a road going south to 98 had problems due to the lack of stacking room. Attorney Holley said the use of the roads to the north would violate restrictions and covenants.
Board member Mark Davis said he likes being able to own land on the south end and likes the high and dry land, but asked what the plan is. Anderson said St. Joe is bringing in children. She also said the current Bay Elementary can not handle the growth. She said her recommendation would be for a new elementary. Board Member Dennis Wallace reviewed the process and talked about the growth in Bay County moving west. He noted the lack of available land. The committee rated five pieces of property and the Forest View parcel was ranked number one. Wallace said they need to buy property no matter what they eventually build on it, even if it is five years from now.
Board member Sharon Roberts, who said she would not vote on one of the properties north of the school since her family has been approached about access through their land, questioned the spray field. She had previously asked about more information on the two properties to the north. She also questioned why the appraisers noted the parcel to the north being landlocked. Property owner M.C. Davis said there is an environmental study. Attorney Holley noted the motion was to proceed with negotiations and there would have to be studies.
The motion to proceed was 4-0 with Roberts not voting.
They are going to build a school in southern Walton and it probably will be an elementary. Walton Superintendent Carlene Anderson recommended moving forward with purchasing the Forest View property as the committee suggested. This is the property two miles east of Emerald Coast Middle School. This parcel is 33.75 acres. There are also two parcels directly north of ECMS being considered.
Tom Blackshear said the Forest View property is flat and is about 40 feet above sea level. The other parcel is also flat, but is 6 to 16 feet above sea level and has a stream flood area. The parcel north of the school also can be subject to storm surge. The east parcel, the old sprayfield parcel, has about three acres of wetlands. This also fronts U.S. 98 and the county may be buying adjacent property so the two could work together to develop infrastructure. Blackshear said they may have some constraints with accessing the parcel north of the school. There is a neighborhood to the north of the north property, but the residents have voiced objections to using their neighborhood for access.
The appraisals for Forest View came in at a $3.1 million average value. For the parcels north of ECMS the averages are $1.6 million and $1.1 million. He gave a number of adjustments for the wetlands and building an access road.
James Foley with the Point Washington Historical Association, said the use of the neighborhood to the north would not happen because the property owners do not want it. He also said the roads are only 30 feet and this would create additional traffic in Point Washington. He also noted a road going south to 98 had problems due to the lack of stacking room. Attorney Holley said the use of the roads to the north would violate restrictions and covenants.
Board member Mark Davis said he likes being able to own land on the south end and likes the high and dry land, but asked what the plan is. Anderson said St. Joe is bringing in children. She also said the current Bay Elementary can not handle the growth. She said her recommendation would be for a new elementary. Board Member Dennis Wallace reviewed the process and talked about the growth in Bay County moving west. He noted the lack of available land. The committee rated five pieces of property and the Forest View parcel was ranked number one. Wallace said they need to buy property no matter what they eventually build on it, even if it is five years from now.
Board member Sharon Roberts, who said she would not vote on one of the properties north of the school since her family has been approached about access through their land, questioned the spray field. She had previously asked about more information on the two properties to the north. She also questioned why the appraisers noted the parcel to the north being landlocked. Property owner M.C. Davis said there is an environmental study. Attorney Holley noted the motion was to proceed with negotiations and there would have to be studies.
The motion to proceed was 4-0 with Roberts not voting.
