St Joe has unveiled it's conceptual PUD master plan for 183.5 acres on hwy 98, beginning at the intersection of 30-A and continuing west past W. Hewett Rd. Get this... the plan not only includes a massive 80,000 sq. ft. big box, but 5 more in the range of 25,000 to 45,000 sq. ft. Here's the basic breakdown:
Phase one- 80,000 sq. ft. BIG BOX store.
Phase two- directly behind the big box, 4 apartment bldgs for seniors, 190 units and a 110 unit assisted living facility.
Phase three- TWO 25,000 sq. ft. retail bldgs. with a 10' setback on W. Hewett Rd. A 5,400 sq. ft. gas station and a 6,000 sq. ft. restaurant.
Phase four- A 45,000 sq. ft. retail with an additional 12,900 sq. ft. attached. A 5,000 sq. ft. office bldg., 2 restaurants @ 6000 or so sq. ft. each and a 13,225 sq. ft. pharmacy.
Phase five- Another 3 big retail stores @ 35,000, 28,000 and 11,836 sq. ft. plus a bank and another restaurant @ 6000 sq. ft.
Phase six- 10 apartment bldgs. with 310 units.
Now as I sit on my deck at night, instead of dark skys and stars I'll see 4 story apartment bldgs and the loading docks for big box stores. Increased traffic, noise and pollution, along with decreased property value in the immediate area, is how we will benefit. I completely understand and agree that St Joe has the right to develop their property however they also have a responsibility to the residents of this community, to exercise restraint. My neighbor will be within 20 feet of this project.
This matter is set to go before the county commisioners on August 25th.
After 20 years of living in this great area, I never dreamed we would allow Santa Rosa Beach to become Panama City or Destin.
Replies
64
SWGB
If I used the term underground I apologize. I meant elevating the building and putting parking underneath.
As to this specific project they are all big box buildings. I didn't see any strip mall type buildings on the plan. Thus under building parking would work. If the person gets lost at that point they probably shouldn't be driving.
As to this specific project they are all big box buildings. I didn't see any strip mall type buildings on the plan. Thus under building parking would work. If the person gets lost at that point they probably shouldn't be driving.
Beach Fanatic
Thanks for explaining.
I don't like the elevated first level, unless the apartments are at the same level. It makes for a poor pedestrian experience, and I know that few people will actually WALK there, as soon as you get out of your car, you're a pedestrian.
I don't like the elevated first level, unless the apartments are at the same level. It makes for a poor pedestrian experience, and I know that few people will actually WALK there, as soon as you get out of your car, you're a pedestrian.
SWGB
Thanks for explaining.
I don't like the elevated first level, unless the apartments are at the same level. It makes for a poor pedestrian experience, and I know that few people will actually WALK there, as soon as you get out of your car, you're a pedestrian.
I'm kind of confused by your statement. Why would the apartments need to be elevated?
Beach Lover
Instead of going for what you believe to be the best value, next time buy or order a copy of The Big Lebowski from the record store in Seaside .... and while you're there, also order a copy of Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price .
i work in the area so I can't afford anything in seaside....last time i bought something there i believe i paid $10 for a hamburger & coke......fries came separate for $3 additional dollars.....oh yeah then add the seaside tax...for a grand total of nearly $15 for a #2 with cheese
SWGB
i work in the area so I can't afford anything in seaside....last time i bought something there i believe i paid $10 for a hamburger & coke......fries came separate for $3 additional dollars.....oh yeah then add the seaside tax...for a grand total of nearly $15 for a #2 with cheese
So how much is that meal after you drive to Destin to pick it up and drive back?
Beach Fanatic
I'm kind of confused by your statement. Why would the apartments need to be elevated?
So that the residents would not have to walk through the parking deck, then go up a level to get to the stores, they would be on the same level.
SoWal Insider
So, on the west side of East Hewitt and to the west of West Hewitt, there are drainage ditches. I'm interested to know where they go...over to tops'l? into the gulf? the bay? the wetlands?
Just to the North of Bambi, off w. hewitt, there is a swamp on one side, and a small beaver pond on the other side. Do the drainage ditches flow into those? What impact on the wildlife in/around those bodies of water with a huge development like this up the street? Not to mention, our neighborhoods...will we see more flooding?
We saw two beavers crossing the road the other day...sweet !
Just to the North of Bambi, off w. hewitt, there is a swamp on one side, and a small beaver pond on the other side. Do the drainage ditches flow into those? What impact on the wildlife in/around those bodies of water with a huge development like this up the street? Not to mention, our neighborhoods...will we see more flooding?
We saw two beavers crossing the road the other day...sweet !
SoWal Expert
I believe you may be referring to the ditches maintained by the Mosquito Control Dept. I know of two on that JOE property.
SWGB
So that the residents would not have to walk through the parking deck, then go up a level to get to the stores, they would be on the same level.
Gotcha.
Beach Fanatic
I don't believe I have ever seen an elevated "Big Box" type store. Is there any precedent for this line of thinking? Parking lots, located on the street-side of the store, don't bother me that much. I can't see how elevating a Wal-Mart is better for the look of 98. Maybe some "buffer" landscaping can help.
Edited
SoWal Expert
Target in Buckhead, across from the fancy mall, not Lenox, is elevated, in the second and third levels of a parking garage. They have a shopping cart escalator. I guess it can be done.
Beach Fanatic
There's a multistory big box complex with attached parking garage in Tampa where Whole Foods and Petsmart have the ground floor, and Target has the second story.
Since it's going to cost a lot more to do it that way, it probably only makes sense when you're talking an urban infil parcel where land costs would otherwise be too high rather than normal greenfield development.
Also, it'd decidedly a higher elevation monolithic building and would look out of scale unless there were other multistory buildings right nearby.
Since it's going to cost a lot more to do it that way, it probably only makes sense when you're talking an urban infil parcel where land costs would otherwise be too high rather than normal greenfield development.
Also, it'd decidedly a higher elevation monolithic building and would look out of scale unless there were other multistory buildings right nearby.
Beach Fanatic
Target in Buckhead, across from the fancy mall, not Lenox, is elevated, in the second and third levels of a parking garage. They have a shopping cart escalator. I guess it can be done.
It's that way at a Target in East Cobb/Marietta too....elevated Target, parking underneath, shopping cart elevator. It works.
SWGB
I don't believe I have ever seen an elevated "Big Box" type store. Is there any precedent for this line of thinking? Parking lots, located on the street-side of the store, don't bother me that much. I can't see how elevating a Wal-Mart is better for the look of 98. Maybe some "buffer" landscaping can help.
The whole point of elevating it and providing parking under is to decrease the amount of parking needed around the building. Thus you can leave more "buffer" in place.
If you clear cut everything it will take 20-30 years for the trees they plant to create a buffer. If they don't have to clear already tall pine trees then the buffer is already there.
Edited
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