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Matt J

SWGB
May 9, 2007
24,643
9,496
The 50% area is where vendors are allowed to setup. It is not an area restricted to vendors. If the public sets up there then they do and a vendor cannot move you or your things.
 

Misty

Banned
Dec 15, 2011
2,769
752
The 50% area is where vendors are allowed to setup. It is not an area restricted to vendors. If the public sets up there then they do and a vendor cannot move you or your things.


You and I have had this conversation Matt. My argument to that is that tourists (the golden goose that feeds our economy) and citizens as well, should not have to get up at 4:30 (in NoWal's case much early than that) in the morning to beat vendors to the beach in order to enjoy them.

My other disagreement is that those beaches belong to Walton County not private enterprise. In effect what's happening here is the County is giving publicly owned land to private enterprise (vendors) and the only requirements are that they be licensed, insured and carry a cell phone.

I simply can not understand why vendors can't be made to set-up ONLY if they have renters.
 

MRBS

Beach Lover
Jun 5, 2008
148
72
No, which is exactly what C. Jones and T. Anderson and 2 other sitting Commissioners want. With T. Anderson on board C. Jones has the votes to exert her will.
As someone smarter said prior, Walton County should prohibit all commercial vending on the sand now, as other beach communities elsewhere have done, to preserve what makes these beaches special!
 

Misty

Banned
Dec 15, 2011
2,769
752
As much as I'd like to see that happen I think its unrealistic but I do think having actual sitters for the set-ups and the County charging vendors for the space (just as state parks do) would substantially reduce the numbers and would give the people back substantially more beach than they have currently or will have if that 50% proposal is approved.
 

Misty

Banned
Dec 15, 2011
2,769
752
@Misty the 50% is already in effect.


What? Are you saying that Walton County has already handed over 50% of publicly owned beaches to private enterprise?
 

Jimmy T

Beach Fanatic
Apr 6, 2015
866
1,234
This is true at the public access at Grayton. Been that way for the last two years. And I will say that before they made the 50% rule, things were much worse. The vendors would cover the entire beach with their set ups.
 

Seadune85

Beach Lover
May 23, 2016
115
37
South of the bay
Just a suggestion but why not require the vendors that have permits to be property owners like they do with the driving on the beach permits. That would eliminate quite a few of the out of towners that have moved in to vend and make a quick buck!! Also eliminating canopies, some that you could easily fit 3 vendor setups under, would create more space and allow 3 families to have a front row spot as opposed to one family with a monster canopy and their chairs spread wide hogging space that many other families could use!! And require vendors to leave a 5 ft gap after so many feet of setups. That allows for public setup and access to the water for emergency personnel if needed.
 
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Misty

Banned
Dec 15, 2011
2,769
752
FROM WMBB

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla.

Walton County Commissioners revisited a potential neighborhood beach access after voting to not move forward a few months ago. The Board held a public workshop Tuesday afternoon to discuss putting an access on Headland Avenue.

"I think you voted correctly the first time," said Bonnie McQuiston.

"June 2016, we asked for a workshop to be scheduled, and then here we are at our July 2016 workshop," said Brian Kellenberger, the Director of Beach Operations for Visit South Walton.

Residents from the surrounding area voiced both concerns and support for the access. The neighborhood access the TDC has in mind would resemble a similar neighborhood beach access just a block away.

"It's nonessential," said Leonard Isacks. "There's already five public accesses within 100 feet of each other - probably the most frequent grouping in all of Walton County."

Some cited safety concerns over a blind curve as well as a lack of parking as reasons not to move forward. But others said accesses would be needed as the southern end of the county continues to grow.

"Walton County needs every beach access that is available," said Celeste Cobena.

Added another resident, "Please build this neighborhood beach walkover."

Commissioners can't take action during a public workshop and didn't give staff any further instruction.
 
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