From Walton Sun
Despite controversy surrounding a clear-cutting ordinance, some developers choose to preserve native vegetation along County Road 30A.
?We all have an ability to conserve and preserve,? said Barbara Stokes, managing member for Stokes Development.
Stokes? company is planning Caspian Estates, a nine-lot, 1.27-acre development on CR 30A. After learning of a vegetative community on the property, the company revised the development plans.
Though it is cheaper to clear-cut a lot, Stokes? aim is to construct developments that are aesthetically compatible with the buildings and landscape of 30A.
?(The native vegetation) is part of the reason people come here,? Stokes said.
The county?s comprehensive plan outlines vegetation preservation regulations for lots larger than two acres along CR 30A. In 2002, ordinance 2002-16 called for the protection of all sites, regardless of size, explained Billy McKee, Walton County environmental planner.
On Sept. 28, 2004, attorney George Ralph Miller, representing Harris Development, challenged the ordinance at a Board of County Commissioners meeting. He claimed the ordinance had not been properly advertised prior to adoption.
The commissioners voted to direct the planning department to abide by the comprehensive plan. Ordinance 2002-16 no longer applies to developers.
The planning department will ask developers to preserve vegetation if possible, but it is not mandatory.
?We review plans less than two acres and sometimes get cooperation,? McKee said.
Disregard for the previous ordinance worries some Walton County residents.
?We?re going to end up with nothing but turf and palm trees,? Anita Page, South Walton Community Council Executive Director, said.
Currently, the county is involved in two lawsuits regarding the matter.
?This particular ordinance was not properly adopted. It could not be applied. We need to ask the board to adopt a similar ordinance (to 2002-16),? County Attorney David Hallman said.
Despite controversy surrounding a clear-cutting ordinance, some developers choose to preserve native vegetation along County Road 30A.
?We all have an ability to conserve and preserve,? said Barbara Stokes, managing member for Stokes Development.
Stokes? company is planning Caspian Estates, a nine-lot, 1.27-acre development on CR 30A. After learning of a vegetative community on the property, the company revised the development plans.
Though it is cheaper to clear-cut a lot, Stokes? aim is to construct developments that are aesthetically compatible with the buildings and landscape of 30A.
?(The native vegetation) is part of the reason people come here,? Stokes said.
The county?s comprehensive plan outlines vegetation preservation regulations for lots larger than two acres along CR 30A. In 2002, ordinance 2002-16 called for the protection of all sites, regardless of size, explained Billy McKee, Walton County environmental planner.
On Sept. 28, 2004, attorney George Ralph Miller, representing Harris Development, challenged the ordinance at a Board of County Commissioners meeting. He claimed the ordinance had not been properly advertised prior to adoption.
The commissioners voted to direct the planning department to abide by the comprehensive plan. Ordinance 2002-16 no longer applies to developers.
The planning department will ask developers to preserve vegetation if possible, but it is not mandatory.
?We review plans less than two acres and sometimes get cooperation,? McKee said.
Disregard for the previous ordinance worries some Walton County residents.
?We?re going to end up with nothing but turf and palm trees,? Anita Page, South Walton Community Council Executive Director, said.
Currently, the county is involved in two lawsuits regarding the matter.
?This particular ordinance was not properly adopted. It could not be applied. We need to ask the board to adopt a similar ordinance (to 2002-16),? County Attorney David Hallman said.