From Anita Page-Executive Director, South Walton Community Council
Hello everyone,
I want to update you on several issues we have been pursuing.
Clear-cutting
You will recall, the county has authorized clear-cutting of lots along
30A that are less than 2 acres because three county commissioners
voted to direct staff not to enforce certain preservation requirements
for CR 30A in our Land Development Code. The issue is being litigated.
(See my previous emails for details) In the meantime, property along
our ?scenic corridor? which is less than 2 acres is being cleared with
impunity.
The county is still required, however, to enforce the applicable
vegetative preservation requirements for parcels over 2 acres.
These apply throughout the county. Additionally, 95% of gulf
front dune vegetation is protected regardless of lot size.
All development requires lot clearing. This email pertains to property
which is cleared in violation of the Comprehensive Plan and Land
Development Code i.e., clearing without a permit and/or clearing
protected vegetation.
Two Large Parcels Cleared on 30A
The parcel across from White Cliffs Condo on 30A. The county
has required restoration of the scrub community that was illegally
destroyed. We have questioned the ?restoration?. The original site
contained over an acre of a mature scrub community. The
?restoration? thus far is a small area of spindly plants on the front of
the lot. (See photo)
The county environmental staff reviewed the site and agreed. First,
the density of the restoration is not acceptable. Secondly, the
developer planted slash pine and bald cypress, two species which are
not part of a scrub community. Some of the ?trees? have already died.
The developer has agreed to double the density and utilize appropriate
plant species. The restoration will be done in stages as the developer
claims he is having difficulty obtaining the required vegetative species.
The developer also asked that their fine cease accumulating on Feb.
10th, the day they planted the inappropriate species. They have
asked for a 60 day grace period to comply with the county?s
requirements. The county has complied with this request.
We will continue to follow up on the restoration and the
implementation of the fines.
Prominence. We have been swamped with complaints and photos of
Prominence. This is the development that clear-cut a large parcel
south of 30A east of the Deer Lake area.
It is my understanding that the developer has voluntarily approached
the county and agreed to provide restoration.
Clear-cutting Dune Vegetation.
In the Blue Mountain Beach area, the dune vegetation on a county
beach access survived the storms but was completely destroyed by the
adjacent property owner.
In the Camp Creek area, a property owner completely cleared the
vegetation on his gulf front lot including the dune vegetation. (See
photo). The county has issued a stop work order. It has now been
months and no restoration has begun.
These are just a few examples of illegal destruction of dune
vegetation. The dune vegetation is protected by our Comprehensive
Plan for obvious reasons. It is instrumental in stabilizing the dune
system. It provides habitat for endangered species. Its destruction
should be taken very seriously.
The Core Problem-No Serious Enforcement. On individual lots, the
typical scenerio is that code enforcement contacts the property owner
who is often out of state. The property owner claims they didn?t know
they did anything wrong or they say its the the contractor?s fault-they
didn?t authorize the illegal clearing.
The lack of serious consequences also fails to discourage developers
from illegally clear-cutting parcels. The project simply pays a minimal
fine and keeps on building without interruption.
Thus far, there seem to be no serious consequences for breaking an
environmental law in Walton County.
Code enforcement is trying to enforce the laws and they are
responding quickly to citizen complaints. What is required, however, is
a commitment from the county commissioners that the environmental
laws are important and that they will be vigorously enforced against
any violator.
The issue of lack of enforcement of the environmental laws was
discussed at the Planning Commission recently. In reality, restoration
is often inadequate and cannot replace the mature vegetative
community that was illegally cleared. The answer is to stop the
illegal clearing before it happens. The county needs to send a
message.
When a parcel is illegally cleared the county should assess and collect
the maximum fine allowable. The developer or property owner should
be required to establish a restoration and maintenance plan for the
restored area utilizing a professional restoration firm. Funds should be
placed in an escrow account to ensure the plan is funded and
implemented.
One way to discourage illegal clearing is for the contractor who does
the clearing, as well as the owner to bear responsibility. The people
who actually do the clearing are locals. They know what they are
doing. They know they need a clearing permit. One serious fine to a
local contractor would reverberate throughout the county.
One member of the Planning Commission suggested enforcement
could include withholding the CO (certificate of occupancy) until any
required restoration is completed.
The well established lack of consequences for those who break the law
is a disservice to those who follow the law and to the public?s right to
have their laws enforced. County staff are trying to enforce the laws.
The commissioner?s must fully and publicly support that effort against
anyone who violates the law.
What You Can Do. Contact the commissioners and let them know
that you want the environmental laws enforced to the maximum. For
those who illegally clear property, fines should be assessed and
collected, both property owners and contractors should be held
accountable, restoration should be required utilizing a professional
consultant and a long term maintenance plan and the CO should be
withheld until the plan is in place and funded.
South Walton Community Council
Anita Page-Executive Director
Contacts
Commissioner Scott Brannon Commissioner Cindy Meadows
District 1 District 5
brascott@co.walton.fl.us meacindy@co.walton.fl.us
(850) 622-3081 (850) 622-3059
Commissioner Ken Pridgen Commissioner Larry Jones
District 2 District 3
prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us
(850) 834-6328 (850) 892-8474
Commissioner Ro Cuchens Pat Blackshear
District 4 Planning Director
cucro@co.walton.fl.us blapat@co.walton.fl.us
(850) 835-4834
Hello everyone,
I want to update you on several issues we have been pursuing.
Clear-cutting
You will recall, the county has authorized clear-cutting of lots along
30A that are less than 2 acres because three county commissioners
voted to direct staff not to enforce certain preservation requirements
for CR 30A in our Land Development Code. The issue is being litigated.
(See my previous emails for details) In the meantime, property along
our ?scenic corridor? which is less than 2 acres is being cleared with
impunity.
The county is still required, however, to enforce the applicable
vegetative preservation requirements for parcels over 2 acres.
These apply throughout the county. Additionally, 95% of gulf
front dune vegetation is protected regardless of lot size.
All development requires lot clearing. This email pertains to property
which is cleared in violation of the Comprehensive Plan and Land
Development Code i.e., clearing without a permit and/or clearing
protected vegetation.
Two Large Parcels Cleared on 30A
The parcel across from White Cliffs Condo on 30A. The county
has required restoration of the scrub community that was illegally
destroyed. We have questioned the ?restoration?. The original site
contained over an acre of a mature scrub community. The
?restoration? thus far is a small area of spindly plants on the front of
the lot. (See photo)
The county environmental staff reviewed the site and agreed. First,
the density of the restoration is not acceptable. Secondly, the
developer planted slash pine and bald cypress, two species which are
not part of a scrub community. Some of the ?trees? have already died.
The developer has agreed to double the density and utilize appropriate
plant species. The restoration will be done in stages as the developer
claims he is having difficulty obtaining the required vegetative species.
The developer also asked that their fine cease accumulating on Feb.
10th, the day they planted the inappropriate species. They have
asked for a 60 day grace period to comply with the county?s
requirements. The county has complied with this request.
We will continue to follow up on the restoration and the
implementation of the fines.
Prominence. We have been swamped with complaints and photos of
Prominence. This is the development that clear-cut a large parcel
south of 30A east of the Deer Lake area.
It is my understanding that the developer has voluntarily approached
the county and agreed to provide restoration.
Clear-cutting Dune Vegetation.
In the Blue Mountain Beach area, the dune vegetation on a county
beach access survived the storms but was completely destroyed by the
adjacent property owner.
In the Camp Creek area, a property owner completely cleared the
vegetation on his gulf front lot including the dune vegetation. (See
photo). The county has issued a stop work order. It has now been
months and no restoration has begun.
These are just a few examples of illegal destruction of dune
vegetation. The dune vegetation is protected by our Comprehensive
Plan for obvious reasons. It is instrumental in stabilizing the dune
system. It provides habitat for endangered species. Its destruction
should be taken very seriously.
The Core Problem-No Serious Enforcement. On individual lots, the
typical scenerio is that code enforcement contacts the property owner
who is often out of state. The property owner claims they didn?t know
they did anything wrong or they say its the the contractor?s fault-they
didn?t authorize the illegal clearing.
The lack of serious consequences also fails to discourage developers
from illegally clear-cutting parcels. The project simply pays a minimal
fine and keeps on building without interruption.
Thus far, there seem to be no serious consequences for breaking an
environmental law in Walton County.
Code enforcement is trying to enforce the laws and they are
responding quickly to citizen complaints. What is required, however, is
a commitment from the county commissioners that the environmental
laws are important and that they will be vigorously enforced against
any violator.
The issue of lack of enforcement of the environmental laws was
discussed at the Planning Commission recently. In reality, restoration
is often inadequate and cannot replace the mature vegetative
community that was illegally cleared. The answer is to stop the
illegal clearing before it happens. The county needs to send a
message.
When a parcel is illegally cleared the county should assess and collect
the maximum fine allowable. The developer or property owner should
be required to establish a restoration and maintenance plan for the
restored area utilizing a professional restoration firm. Funds should be
placed in an escrow account to ensure the plan is funded and
implemented.
One way to discourage illegal clearing is for the contractor who does
the clearing, as well as the owner to bear responsibility. The people
who actually do the clearing are locals. They know what they are
doing. They know they need a clearing permit. One serious fine to a
local contractor would reverberate throughout the county.
One member of the Planning Commission suggested enforcement
could include withholding the CO (certificate of occupancy) until any
required restoration is completed.
The well established lack of consequences for those who break the law
is a disservice to those who follow the law and to the public?s right to
have their laws enforced. County staff are trying to enforce the laws.
The commissioner?s must fully and publicly support that effort against
anyone who violates the law.
What You Can Do. Contact the commissioners and let them know
that you want the environmental laws enforced to the maximum. For
those who illegally clear property, fines should be assessed and
collected, both property owners and contractors should be held
accountable, restoration should be required utilizing a professional
consultant and a long term maintenance plan and the CO should be
withheld until the plan is in place and funded.
South Walton Community Council
Anita Page-Executive Director
Contacts
Commissioner Scott Brannon Commissioner Cindy Meadows
District 1 District 5
brascott@co.walton.fl.us meacindy@co.walton.fl.us
(850) 622-3081 (850) 622-3059
Commissioner Ken Pridgen Commissioner Larry Jones
District 2 District 3
prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us
(850) 834-6328 (850) 892-8474
Commissioner Ro Cuchens Pat Blackshear
District 4 Planning Director
cucro@co.walton.fl.us blapat@co.walton.fl.us
(850) 835-4834
