Owl's Head development north of Freeport 2005-2008

From Walton Sun

Following two hurricane seasons that devastated many beachfront communities along the Gulf Coast, Owl?s Head developers are responding with a marketing strategy that touts its inland heights appeal.
Owl?s Head is a 1,600-acre traditional neighborhood development north of Freeport with an elevation averaging 100 feet above sea level.
?Living 20 ? 25 miles inland on higher ground is a draw for people who want less risk from storms,? said Jeff Tucker of Owl?s Head Development LLC. ?For folks wanting a home in which to retire or raise a family, there?s a lot to be said these days for peace of mind.
?As to the ?coastal inland heights? term, that?s sort of a play on words, we are in a coastal region,? he said.
Realtor Larry Davis, broker for Owl?s Head, said marketing for the project is geared to newcomers to Florida, including retirees that spend part of the year here but also current residents, that can afford to live on the beach but are considering options that include living inland.
The increase in property taxes and the anticipated rise to insure coastal properties are new considerations when buying beachfront property.
?Affordability is an issue,? said Tucker. ?South of the (Choctawhatchee) Bay, real estate is quite expensive. At Owl?s Head, there will be a wide-range of prices.?
With lots starting at $80,000 and livable units in the $200,000 range, young families, employees at Sacred Heart hospital and military personnel transferred to Eglin Air Force Base because of base realignments, might consider the new development when looking for a home in Walton County.
Then there?s the name recognition the Owl?s? Head?s designer has ? Andres Duany of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, pioneer of new urbanism who has designed more than 300 traditional neighborhood developments including Seaside, Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach.
New urbanism is a design philosophy for communities that help to create a hometown feel. Owl?s Head will be a pedestrianfriendly, walkable community for primary and secondary homes. Instead of cookie cutter homes and cul-de-sacs, a traditional neighborhood development based on new urbanism offers a variety of housing types, a town center with parks that encourage community events, plus mixeduse buildings for commercial and retail space.
The ?in-town? homes will be smaller and include live-work buildings and row houses. The town center will serve both the local community and visitors.
Six neighborhoods south of the town center will have larger home sites and include plans for ?mansions,? single-family dwellings with rural character on spacious lots. Each neighborhood is designed to provide all the basic needs of daily life within walking distance.
The realignment of U.S. Highway 331, which will run along the western boundary of Owl?s Head, has been factored into the project.
Rather than a detraction, Tucker said, ?It will enhance traffic flow. We are looking to the highway to draw people in.?
A development order is expected in December, said Davis. The first lots will be released in 2006 for phase one which includes about 480 home sites, a clubhouse and pool and the sales office.