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Lake View Too

SoWal Insider
Nov 16, 2008
6,862
8,297
Eastern Lake
All this discussion it fairly moot, by several hundred years. Property, no matter how valuable or how worthless, is bought and paid for many, many, many, many, many, many times through the years, each time, getting more valuable. The more land that is developed surrounding it, just makes pristine land more rare, thus more valuable. If Walton County had not bought these parcels, with TDC funds, in a particularly good deal, then these parcels would have been worth more money tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.
 

Jenksy

Beach Fanatic
Oct 25, 2012
799
617
All this discussion it fairly moot, by several hundred years. Property, no matter how valuable or how worthless, is bought and paid for many, many, many, many, many, many times through the years, each time, getting more valuable. The more land that is developed surrounding it, just makes pristine land more rare, thus more valuable. If Walton County had not bought these parcels, with TDC funds, in a particularly good deal, then these parcels would have been worth more money tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.
We're talking about determining what it costs to remove private property rights and giving it back to the public where it belongs. It would be a process of taking, not giving. Although some money would be given in fairness.
 

Lake View Too

SoWal Insider
Nov 16, 2008
6,862
8,297
Eastern Lake
Eminent domain, the concept of taking personal property for the good of the public, is a drastic step that few governments are prepared to do. It then puts the government in the precarious position of stating what is "good for the public". It starts long legal battles and probably ends up with the government paying a little bit above "fair market value" anyway. That's exactly what happened with this straight purchase, and was negotiated in several months rather than years.
 

Jenksy

Beach Fanatic
Oct 25, 2012
799
617
Eminent domain, the concept of taking personal property for the good of the public, is a drastic step that few governments are prepared to do. It then puts the government in the precarious position of stating what is "good for the public". It starts long legal battles and probably ends up with the government paying a little bit above "fair market value" anyway. That's exactly what happened with this straight purchase, and was negotiated in several months rather than years.
We need to take steps to correct the mistakes of the past. Some would view ED as drastic. I'm sure we paid way more than fair market value for this piece. What is fair market value of unbuildable land that is underwater?
 

Misty

Banned
Dec 15, 2011
2,769
752
Lake View do you know what the county paid? I thought I saw $3.2 millon but that may have been something else.
 

Danny Glidewell

Beach Fanatic
Mar 26, 2008
725
914
Glendale
Regardless of whether or not it should have been sold originally or not, the fact is that it was and the current owners paid their money for what they own. That is no different from farmland, a warehouse or your house. So, if you want to own it or take it from them, either way you must fairly compensate them for it. The beachfront is a special case in that the general public has been allowed for decades by the previous and current owners to use the white sandy beach and thus has established a "customary use" of that beachfront. Currently some beachfront owners wish to end this practice and so we will be required to litigate to firmly establish exactly which parcels the public has an established right to use. Meanwhile, purchasing beachfront property at fair market value removes all doubt about the public's rights and removes the bitterness and hard feelings that litigation will undoubtedly produce. I firmly believe that in Walton County the public has established a "customary use" of the white sand beachfront but anyone who tells you they know what a court will do or how it will rule is lying or crazy and beach access is too important to our economy and way of life to put all our eggs in that basket. So purchasing every foot we can at reasonable prices is a good "plan B" and smart public policy.
 

justhavinfun

Beach Fanatic
Nov 13, 2008
373
140
Eastern Lake
I believe the $3.2 M was for the Russell property (AKA the tan remodeled house ) directly east of Eastern Lake Outfall and I also think Kurt may have access to a recent aerial map. The Head and Harrell property is directly west of the outfall and was purchased for significantly less.
 

Lake View Too

SoWal Insider
Nov 16, 2008
6,862
8,297
Eastern Lake
Just having fun is correct. Russell parcel was $3.2 M financed for 10 years at 0 interest. Head/Harrell parcel was $600,000 but was increased somewhat. Not certain of final amount.
 

Misty

Banned
Dec 15, 2011
2,769
752
Just having fun is correct. Russell parcel was $3.2 M financed for 10 years at 0 interest. Head/Harrell parcel was $600,000 but was increased somewhat. Not certain of final amount.


850,000
 
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