Community Coalition Helps Send DR Horton Project Back to the Drawing Board
A coalition of neighbors, businesses, and environmentalists today announced that their work to stop a proposed development by mega-developer DR Horton to pack up to 1,000 people in 138 units on a small parcel on Scenic 30A has resulted in the developer going back to the drawing board. According to the Walton County Planning Department, DR Horton has withdrawn its application for 138 units on 30A which was set to go before the Planning Commission in October.
“We know that the collective efforts of people from across our community are making a difference,” said Peter Hansen, a neighbor, 30A campaign supporter, and environmentalist. “We also know that while DR Horton has stopped its plans for 138 units on this parcel along 30A and near Draper Lake, we understand they are likely to come back with a proposal for tightly packed single-family homes while still seeking numerous exceptions to the current land development rules. If this is the case, we will again ensure Walton County residents and elected leaders know and understand the potential impact on the environment, the protected scrub oaks, keystone species, and our pristine dune lake.”
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to people from across the county and beyond who are taking a stance on this project and helped distribute yard signs, send emails to the Technical Review Committee and the Planning Commission, and raise awareness of DR Horton’s poor environmental track record,” said Leah Dubberly, a neighbor, and 30A Coalition member. “We stand ready to resume the campaign to protect the environment and follow existing rules unless DR Horton chooses to simply look elsewhere to develop.”
The coalition has created an informative website – Save30A.org – that explains the project initially proposed and its wide-ranging impact on the community. More than 135 road signs have been installed alerting the community to the issue and over 100 emails were received by the TRC and the Planning Commission from concerned citizens protesting the project.
“At a time when people seem to be so apart on many issues, we found that neighbors, businesses, and environmentalists from across the community quickly joined forces to protect 30A and Draper Lake. We ask everyone to stay up to date as we see where DR Horton goes from here,” said Matthew Kaufler, a neighbor, and 30A Coalition member.
For more information, visit Save30A.org.