Cypress Dunes beach access

Beach Fanatic

Jan 12, '10 · 3:53 PM16,171

Can anyone tell me about Cypress Dunes beach access? Is or was there a beach shuttle that runs from the develpment to the beach? It it's still running, is it seasonal and is there a cost?

And what's the best, nearest beach access for visitors? I can't imagine visitors finding Stallworth. Would Dune Allen access be the best since it has restrooms and more parking?

Thanks for the help! :wave:

Replies

Beach Fanatic

Jan 14, '10 · 2:16 PM#27

Yep, Minnie, you can see it. You just can't access it. There's preserve land between the development and the beach. If memory serves, this was supposed to be addressed with a community walkover, but money and/or permitting prevented it from happening.

The walkover was wishful thinking. The state never gives easements through their preserved land, unless it is the only possible access to private property. When the state refused, they sued, trying to prove a prescriptive easement. They lost.

SoWal Expert

Jan 14, '10 · 5:36 PM#28

John Willis Homes is still in business as I understand it. I think like most developers at the time, he ran into financial troubles, but I am pretty certain he is still building homes.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 15, '10 · 6:38 AM#29

Too bad that he cut through so much of the cypress swamp for this development...

Admin

Jan 15, '10 · 7:10 AM#30

Some photos from the property - Photos - Beaches of South Walton - 05/15/06

SoWal Expert

Jan 15, '10 · 7:56 AM#31

Love seeing the new green growth on the Cypress Trees.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 15, '10 · 8:24 AM#32

Great photos Kurt. It looks like they are from 2006. It would be cool to see photos of the exact same locations four years later.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jan 15, '10 · 8:28 AM#33

Too bad that he cut through so much of the cypress swamp for this development...

Agreed, but compared to the clearcutting that went on in many other areas (Driftwood immediately comes to mind), Cypress Dunes did a fair job of conservation. But, as a New Orleans girl, I would have to say that building on a swamp is never really a good idea. . .

Admin

Jan 15, '10 · 8:34 AM#34

Great photos Kurt. It looks like they are from 2006. It would be cool to see photos of the exact same locations four years later.

Thanks - there are a few cypress ponds on the property that weren't disturbed except for adding boardwalks. One does have a road and bridge through it.

SWGB

Jan 15, '10 · 11:41 AM#35

Too bad that he cut through so much of the cypress swamp for this development...

Agreed, but compared to the clearcutting that went on in many other areas (Driftwood immediately comes to mind), Cypress Dunes did a fair job of conservation. But, as a New Orleans girl, I would have to say that building on a swamp is never really a good idea. . .

Keep in mind that that area was in the path of a tornado during a hurricane years ago so much of it was "naturally" clear cut. In fact the great gulf views from the beach club and houses will eventually grow back.

SoWal Expert

Jan 15, '10 · 12:14 PM#36

Is that why Cypress Dunes is in the C.O.B.R.A. zone?

Beach Fanatic

Jan 16, '10 · 9:20 AM#37

Is that why Cypress Dunes is in the C.O.B.R.A. zone?

Is all of it listed as COBRA?

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jan 16, '10 · 9:28 AM#38

Here's one recent article on COBRA:

Passive Federal Protection
Restrictions on the availability of Federal money for loans or Federal flood coverage in these protected areas do not preclude the use of "free market" loans or open market flood insurance. Further, these laws do not disallow building and development in these areas; they just don't allow the use of Federal dollars to finance, insure, build roads to or supply potable water to such development.
Owners are allowed to develop their property as they desire (subject to building codes and laws) but without any federal money. The government did not take away property rights, just the availability of Federal funds, thus the term "Passive Federal Protection."
Determination of Coverage Eligibility
Only the US Fish and Wildlife Service can officially determine if a property is located in a CBRS unit or an OPA. Although these zones are indicated on applicable Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), boundary lines on older FIRMs are only approximations and can be off by as much as 100 yards (affecting as many as three houses). No local surveyor, building inspector or other town official has the authority to make an official determination.
Standard flood insurance policies require that if ANY part of a structure is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the entire building must be rated in the higher risk zone as per the prior discussion. This rule does not necessarily apply in CBRS units or OPA's. If a building is dissected by a CBRS or OPA boundary line, provisions in the law may allow the property to remain eligible for Federal flood coverage. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis depending on the specific details and history of the property in question.

How CoBRA Zones and OPA's Affect Flood Coverage | Articles | MyNewMarkets.com