By DOTTY NIST
A recently-approved conceptual plan has set the stage for one of Walton County’s most historic properties to transition into the 21st century in a big way with 510 multi-family units, 138,000 square feet of commercial and health care facilities and infrastructure on the 66.2-acre property.
This is the old Barrett’s Store property, which in recent years has served as a small RV park business and office space operated by the Barrett family. It is located on the north side of U.S. 98 a short distance east of the Point Washington community.
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the conceptual plan for the property on Sept. 26 as part of their regular meeting on that date at the South Walton Annex. The request was on behalf of developers Peach Creek Apartment Developer, L.L.C., with members of the Barrett family in attendance.
With Peach Creek running along the east side of the site, the property contains Residential and Mixed Use future land use areas and is in Small Neighborhood and Residential Preservation zoning districts.
Attorney Dana Matthews presented the request on behalf of the applicants. He told the commissioners that the master conceptual plan was in compliance with all requirements of the Walton County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.
He explained plans for a multi-use path on the property to help students get to school at Emerald Coast Middle School, located to the west, without having to get on U.S. 98. This is to be one of many multi-use paths on the property.
Matthews described other elements of the plan, including a boat dock on Peach Creek for use of the public, along with public parking and an entryway for kayaks and other non-motorized boats to access the creek.
A recently-approved conceptual plan has set the stage for one of Walton County’s most historic properties to transition into the 21st century in a big way with 510 multi-family units, 138,000 square feet of commercial and health care facilities and infrastructure on the 66.2-acre property.
This is the old Barrett’s Store property, which in recent years has served as a small RV park business and office space operated by the Barrett family. It is located on the north side of U.S. 98 a short distance east of the Point Washington community.
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the conceptual plan for the property on Sept. 26 as part of their regular meeting on that date at the South Walton Annex. The request was on behalf of developers Peach Creek Apartment Developer, L.L.C., with members of the Barrett family in attendance.
With Peach Creek running along the east side of the site, the property contains Residential and Mixed Use future land use areas and is in Small Neighborhood and Residential Preservation zoning districts.
Attorney Dana Matthews presented the request on behalf of the applicants. He told the commissioners that the master conceptual plan was in compliance with all requirements of the Walton County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.
He explained plans for a multi-use path on the property to help students get to school at Emerald Coast Middle School, located to the west, without having to get on U.S. 98. This is to be one of many multi-use paths on the property.
Matthews described other elements of the plan, including a boat dock on Peach Creek for use of the public, along with public parking and an entryway for kayaks and other non-motorized boats to access the creek.
