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South Walton Community Council

Community Organization
Jan 17, 2007
270
78
www.southwaltoncc.org
In a recent report, SWCC outlines its position in supporting Walton County’s purchase of the last large undeveloped parcel in Miramar Beach, aka the “Golf Garden property”.

Here is a link to the full report:
https://tinyurl.com/yeps5h8c

SWCC feels this 35-acre multi-use property is an essential investment in protecting Miramar Beach from over development and maintaining Miramar Beach as a thriving visitor and rental destination.

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL: THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF WALTON COUNTY
A coastal beach community in South Walton (SoWal), Florida, Miramar Beach is the economic engine of Walton County. With a land area of only 7 square miles (0.7% of the county land), Miramar Beach is home to nearly one third of all residential properties and more than 50% of all rental units in the county. Miramar Beach has generated $100M+ in bed tax revenue over the past decade. In 2020 and every year thereafter, Miramar Beach is anticipated to generate $20M+ per year in bed tax revenue.

IT'S TIME FOR THE COUNTY TO INVEST IN MIRAMAR BEACH
Unfortunately, Miramar Beach has experienced a long history of underinvestment by the County and the Tourist Development Council (TDC). Therefore, SWCC feels it’s long past time to invest in the future of Miramar Beach. Investments, such as the Golf Garden property, are necessary to ensure Miramar Beach remains a healthy, vital area for tourists for decades to come.

Please consider attending the upcoming BCC meeting in support of the Golf Garden purchase. Here are the details:
WHAT: BCC Meeting, Agenda Items re Golf Garden property
WHEN: Tues Jan. 14. at 4pm
WHERE: South Walton Annex Boardroom at 31 Coastal Center Blvd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL.
 

Sun Chaser

Beach Lover
Aug 18, 2015
208
89
Miramar Beach
Here is the replay of the 1/14/2020 BCC Meeting. The bulk of the meeting is discussion, etc. of the initiative of Walton County to purchase Miramar Beach's last large "greenspace" parcel, 35 acres in size aka Golf Garden parcel.

Much credit to South Walton Community Council for their heroic efforts, much credit to the passionate citizens of Miramar Beach who simply want a nice area to further enjoy their little beach town. Miramar Beach, a beach town that produces massive revenue for Walton County yet receives disproportionate amenities in return.

Commissioners Glidewell and Nipper were heroic tonight, but it was not enough. They both were just shaking their heads in the end in disbelief.

Walton County is overdeveloping MAJOR. People I speak with who have visited for decades are just fading out coming here.

 

FactorFiction

Beach Fanatic
Feb 18, 2016
494
409
Here is the replay of the 1/14/2020 BCC Meeting. The bulk of the meeting is discussion, etc. of the initiative of Walton County to purchase Miramar Beach's last large "greenspace" parcel, 35 acres in size aka Golf Garden parcel.

Much credit to South Walton Community Council for their heroic efforts, much credit to the passionate citizens of Miramar Beach who simply want a nice area to further enjoy their little beach town. Miramar Beach, a beach town that produces massive revenue for Walton County yet receives disproportionate amenities in return.

Commissioners Glidewell and Nipper were heroic tonight, but it was not enough. They both were just shaking their heads in the end in disbelief.

Walton County is overdeveloping MAJOR. People I speak with who have visited for decades are just fading out coming here.



I wasn't able to be there, but watched online. So disappointing that Tony Anderson and Trey Nick did not support this purchase, especially with Nick being the representative for the Miramar Beach district. While no one is thrilled with paying above appraised value, the BCC has done that a number of times before for the right properties and this was one of those "right" properties in my opinion. So sad that there hasn't been more foresight among our elected leaders in the past and we're apparently going to continue to have that situation with at least a couple of them.
 

Jim Tucker

Beach Fanatic
Jul 12, 2005
1,189
497
I suppose there is a lot of money riding on the development of this property. With business interests controlling the BCC there are no checks in place for rampant development. If you know the recent history of politics in Walton County you know the story. The responsible elements that cared about the environment were pushed out. With the majority of voters in the north and the way the districts are drawn it is locked in this way.
 

Sun Chaser

Beach Lover
Aug 18, 2015
208
89
Miramar Beach
It was hard to watch. There's a point at the end of the process where Nipper and Glidewell both just had (IMO) stunned looks on their faces.

Everyone in the room was able to watch what happened. The twisting, turning, lecturing to rationalize why "they" voted the way they did.

It is difficult was to see intelligent, passionate owners/residents of their own town see their last parcel like this be denied.
 

FactorFiction

Beach Fanatic
Feb 18, 2016
494
409
The Foreman property has not been offered to the county.
Even if the Foreman property were offered to the County, it does not offer what the Golf Garden property offers to the County or to Miramar Beach, especially Miramar Beach. I had no idea that Miramar Beach was such a large portion of our bed tax revenues. They definitely deserve some amenities that benefit their tourists and residents alike. A nature discovery and educational welcome center is a wonderful idea for that area, among others that have been mentioned. It could be a great place to help educate people on our unique flora and fauna, the importance of the gulf and our dunes, how our sand became so uniquely fine and white, some history of our area, etc. How to be good beach citizen could be addressed, along with locations, amenities, nature trails, parks, etc. The center could also have a TDC gift shop focused on gifts promoting our area and natural environment. Surely there is a way to make this a joint Walton County/TDC project. The TDC, understandably, wants to make sure that they can complete projects for which they have already purchased property and I'm sure they are very aware that they need to be prepared to purchase more beach properties and/or parking areas, but Miramar Beach deserves a non-beach amenity for its tourists and residents.
 

Charles Evans

Beach Lover
Oct 31, 2017
64
40
64
Santa Rosa Beach
Even if the Foreman property were offered to the County, it does not offer what the Golf Garden property offers to the County or to Miramar Beach, especially Miramar Beach. I had no idea that Miramar Beach was such a large portion of our bed tax revenues. They definitely deserve some amenities that benefit their tourists and residents alike. A nature discovery and educational welcome center is a wonderful idea for that area, among others that have been mentioned. It could be a great place to help educate people on our unique flora and fauna, the importance of the gulf and our dunes, how our sand became so uniquely fine and white, some history of our area, etc. How to be good beach citizen could be addressed, along with locations, amenities, nature trails, parks, etc. The center could also have a TDC gift shop focused on gifts promoting our area and natural environment. Surely there is a way to make this a joint Walton County/TDC project. The TDC, understandably, wants to make sure that they can complete projects for which they have already purchased property and I'm sure they are very aware that they need to be prepared to purchase more beach properties and/or parking areas, but Miramar Beach deserves a non-beach amenity for its tourists and residents.


Shocking that a formal postal employee with zero business acumen (other than a failed business) has a vote. How do people like this get elected? Hoping we get a real choice to replace him this fall with someone that actually knows what they are doing. Since his election, he was accomplished what????
 
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