25 Story Condo proposed in Walton County!!!

I thought upscale referred to the RV pads being gravel instead of dirt.

Nope.....wait for it--here it comes..........granite.





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Write those emails, everyone!!! Please!!! Just copy and paste, and type in your name.[/B]

I copied and pasted to each one.The least one can do.

Aside from writing letters, I am wondering who did their environmental impact study? Something as large as this with 120 units and then add 55 RV units plus the commercial aspect has to impact the bay regardless of how many trees/ open space you maintain.

Aside from writing letters, I am wondering who did their environmental impact study? Something as large as this with 120 units and then add 55 RV units plus the commercial aspect has to impact the bay regardless of how many trees/ open space you maintain.

Trees? I was told one of the "developers" cut down all the trees on the wetlands a while back. Of course that is hearsay, but from the stories I've been hearing lately, I wouldn't doubt it.

Trees? I was told one of the "developers" cut down all the trees on the wetlands a while back. Of course that is hearsay, but from the stories I've been hearing lately, I wouldn't doubt it.

An aside from that possibility, it seems like common sense (I know very little about these studies) that if let's say 2 cars are allowed per unit, and 55 RV's, that right there at max occupancy would be 295 vehicles alone gaseous fumes, oil leaks, etc. garbage. Not to mention that is also quite a few vehicles slowing down roads of evacation.

I can't fathom, that just based on the amounts of vehicles coming out of there during an evacuation (and you can't really hightail out of there with an RV) as well as County services needed, that the Planning Department would allow this development, not to mention the proximity to the Bay, but we all know common sense won't play into this.

I would imagine, just like appraisal reviews, second opinions, an environmental study could be criticized as well.

I am all for affordable housing,(off the bay) but I'd bet you'd also see a premium on those units on the upper floors for views. I'm betting that on the upper levels there will also be gulf views as well.

From the press release (and it is most certainly a press release):

"Building vertically in a condominium highrise instead of sprawling out the living units allows much of the 60 acre site to remain intact, according to the developers. The county comprehensive plan allows for 2 units per acre on the 60 acre site; therefore, the developer is allowed 120 units."

How can this be true if most of the acreage cannot be developed due to wetlands? Does the county land development plan REALLY have a loophole this big? In calculating how many units they can put on the site, can they REALLY count the wetlands that the Army Corps of Engineers would not (ahem, likely) allow them to develop?

September 10, 2007 09:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Developers Seek to Enhance Freeport Area with Environmentally Responsible Project

Planned Jolly Bay Development to Maximize Land Use While Bringing Needed Amenities and Infrastructure to Growing Community

FREEPORT, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--......... Situated on 60 acres of land, Jolly Bay?s project will only reside on 17 acres in order to preserve 43 acres for natural beauty and to ensure the integrity of the surrounding area.
.................................... What a croc! "Spin" is correct!
Jolly Bay LLC was founded by longtime Walton County residents Carl Post and Kimberly Maxwell. ?Having lived in Freeport for 25 years, long before any of the recent development was even conceived, Carl and I have been planning to find a unique way to develop this parcel of land while preserving its natural beauty and surroundings. We want to provide the community with new amenities and living space that will improve the quality of life for current residents and allow newcomers to appreciate the beauty of this area,? stated Maxwell.
...............................
8 Open green space park and performance stage
............... This will be on the wetlands? Filled? Mitigated?
Jolly Bay LLC was formed to develop environmentally sensitive property for best use while keeping the integrity of the land and natural beauty intact. ........ If it's environmentally sensitive they better not fill these wetland areas if they want to "keep the integrty of the land" and it's "natural beauty". Won't a high rise and parking lot. etc. pretty much mess up an adjacent wetland (assuming they actually don't fill it in?)

From the press release (and it is most certainly a press release):

"Building vertically in a condominium highrise instead of sprawling out the living units allows much of the 60 acre site to remain intact, according to the developers. The county comprehensive plan allows for 2 units per acre on the 60 acre site; therefore, the developer is allowed 120 units."

How can this be true if most of the acreage cannot be developed due to wetlands? Does the county land development plan REALLY have a loophole this big? In calculating how many units they can put on the site, can they REALLY count the wetlands that the Army Corps of Engineers would not (ahem, likely) allow them to develop?

Good Point.

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From the press release (and it is most certainly a press release):

"Building vertically in a condominium highrise instead of sprawling out the living units allows much of the 60 acre site to remain intact, according to the developers. The county comprehensive plan allows for 2 units per acre on the 60 acre site; therefore, the developer is allowed 120 units."

How can this be true if most of the acreage cannot be developed due to wetlands? Does the county land development plan REALLY have a loophole this big? In calculating how many units they can put on the site, can they REALLY count the wetlands that the Army Corps of Engineers would not (ahem, likely) allow them to develop?

Yes, one can use the total area of the property to calculate the maximum density based on Land Use Code. That has been the rule for a long time. As this development is planning to do, in order to actually build without impacting the wetlands (mitigation would be required otherwise), the units would need to be located on the uplands of the property. To me it sounds like the hiking trails and path leading to the marina, will be impacting the wetlands, and that is why they would be required to preserve the remainder of the wetlands as mitigation land. What a twist they put on it, being "green developers." From what I understand, they are not developers at all, with this one project as an exception. How would you like to buy a condo built by an amateur? I think putting the RV park and camp store on the same property with a high rise condo, says it all.

This statement also says it all, "Jolly Bay LLC was formed to develop environmentally sensitive property."



Write those letters and emails today!!!! Pick up the phone and call. Write those emails everyday. Same ones, over and over and over!!!


There email addresses are (simply copy and paste):

scott brannon <brascott@co.walton.fl.us>,
Cindy Meadows <meacindy@co.Walton.fl.us>,
Sara Commander <comsara@co.Walton.fl.us>,
ken pridgen <prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us>,
larry jones <jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us>


Dear Commissioner,
I understand that there is a 25 story project proposed for Walton County, which is currently before the Planning Dept. I urge you to make a motion and vote for the passage of the height restriction, currently on the books for South Walton, to be extended for all of Walton County. This should be done right away, at the next BCC meeting, prior to this proposed 25 story project coming before the BCC.

Sincerely,

(your name)

I also recommend that everyone copy those emails and letters to the local news media, including the Walton Sun, Beach Breeze, the Northwest Florida Daily News, and the Panama City television stations. I will look for those links later today and post them.

This would help get the word out to more people so they can write and call the Commissioners as well.

great idea, goodwitch58.

Althea, shame on you for not knowing your audience. We here at SoWal.com are firmly dedicated to turtles, swamps, starving artists and socialist anti-market principles. How can we possibly support something so at odds with our core being .... unless, of course, you permit all of us and our buddies to live in this high rise rent free. Also, if we are to live there, please give Ceruleans some free commercial space so that we have a place to mingle. Otherwise, for your own good, we will have to oppose you.

How a 25 story condo tower and RV park "preserves the natural beauty and surroundings" is beyond me!

Just when I think they can't come up with a stupider idea...........

bump.

Write those letters, emails and pick up the phone and call those commissioners, today!

Will discuss it in person w/ one tomorrow!

Emails sent. Thanks for providing them.

This statement also says it all, "Jolly Bay LLC was formed to develop environmentally sensitive property."



Write those letters and emails today!!!! Pick up the phone and call. Write those emails everyday. Same ones, over and over and over!!!


There email addresses are (simply copy and paste):

scott brannon <brascott@co.walton.fl.us>,
Cindy Meadows <meacindy@co.Walton.fl.us>,
Sara Commander <comsara@co.Walton.fl.us>,
ken pridgen <prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us>,
larry jones <jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us>


Dear Commissioner,
I understand that there is a 25 story project proposed for Walton County, which is currently before the Planning Dept. I urge you to make a motion and vote for the passage of the height restriction, currently on the books for South Walton, to be extended for all of Walton County. This should be done right away, at the next BCC meeting, prior to this proposed 25 story project coming before the BCC.

Sincerely,

(your name)

I only see one error in your letter SJ. The article said it was going to be a 26 story building, not a 25 story building. I don't imagine 1 story makes a whole heck of a lot of difference though in the whole scheme of things, but I thought I would point it out none the less. I don't even live there and I am writing the commissioners.

I got a short note back from Cindy Meadows indicating it is on her radar screen.

I was told the commissioners thought they HAD passed a 50' height ordinance for the entire county 2 years ago and that this project has so many issues that it will be a no-go.

Kathydwells, thanks for that correction. I think the article I read in the Walton Sun (already washed my windows with it) noted it was a 25 story building. Regardless, it will be well over the 50 ft limit set for SoWal.

TFT, why don't the Commissioners reply to everyone's emails, or do all of them dislike me?

Scooterbug, I also thought that the BCC passed that height restriction for all of the County, until I read this article with Scott Brannon stating that it was brought up, but voted down. Don't let this project, which may indeed be full of holes, stop you from sending in those emails for height restrictions for all of Walton County. Maybe this project won't fly, but what about the next one? Write those emails and make those phone calls.

We definitely need a concrete and clear 50' height restriction for all of Walton County!!!

Could people please post the email responses they receive from the commissioners?

Thought occurred to me: They are building UP because the site has so many wetlands they can't build OUT............wouldn't it be cheaper to build elsewhere rather than paying for all the structure necessary to support a 25/26 story building on wetland type soil?

TFT, why don't the Commissioners reply to everyone's emails, or do all of them dislike me?

Actually I would expect them to send you the same response every day until you give in and put them on your blocked list. :rofl:

Actually I would expect them to send you the same response every day until you give in and put them on your blocked list. :rofl:

I don't even receive an automated reply like, "Thank you for your recent email. We appreciate your concern and interest in Walton County." What the F is up with that. I will say that Sarah Commander sent me a personalized email once before regarding a concern I had , but she is the only one. I know they are busy and don't even read all of the emails, but at least have a staffer input some automated reply, noting receipt of the email. It ain't rocket science.

: I know they are busy and don't even read all of the emails, but at least have a staffer input some automated reply, noting receipt of the email. It ain't rocket science.

Maybe the staffers were sacrificed to the Gods of the Tax Cut?


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Maybe the staffers were sacrificed to the Gods of the Tax Cut?


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Yeah, right. I did get an automated response from one of the Commissioner's assistant, stating that she would be out of town until Sept 17. However, she didn't even say which Commissioner employed her. That reply lets me know that the Commissioner who employs her, forwards all of his or her emails to the Assistant, likely not reading any emails. Rather, the Assistant probably just prints, sorts and categorizes the emails into piles of for and agin.