Dollar General in Inlet Beach...

[cdsmith96]

Apparently the outdoor merchandise sales issue was not dead with the DRB last week. That apparently is just a recommendation meaning the PC could vote to approve it anyway. So, as many people as possible need to show up tonight at the SoWal Annex on 331 at 5pm for the PC meeting. Attached is the agenda.

Thanks,


Chris


​

 

[Matt J]

If you want the planning commission to take you seriously don't refer to them as a DRB or Design Review Board. The two are completely different.

 

[miznotebook]

The DRB vote on Aug. 1 was a recommendation, and the planning commission's vote tonight will be too. The proposed ordinance is on the county commission agenda for next Tuesday, and the county commission's decision will be the final one. The meeting starts at 4 p.m. at the South Walton Annex.

 

[cdsmith96]

Outdoor Ordinance/Dollar General DRB Meeting Tonight 9/5...

Last week several of us met with the developers of the Dollar General. They have agreed to make some minor modifications to the store. Mainly adding a 'beachy tower'. See the below picture.




We were told that the NWL access is a must for the store to go in... both for customers coming from the west so they do not have to U-turn to get there, but also for a delivery truck to access the store. This entrance/exit is a big concern of us in Grande Pointe in particular bc our roads can not handle more traffic and it also provides the shortest, legal way to Bay County. The developers were unwilling to decrease the size of the store to more of a neighborhood feel. If the store was smaller perhaps their delivery trucks would be able to serve the store without the NWL access.



This Thursday and next Thursday are two big meetings for the store. The DRB is at 5pm this Thursday and the following Thursday (9/12) is the Planning Commission at the SoWal Annex. We need people to show up and speak. Last time we had just 4. We need many more than that. I am unsure when the store would go before the BOCC. I assume October if it passes DRB and PC.



If we can delay this store much longer it may do the deal in bc Dollar General has a 1st qtr deadline for this store to open by.



While this design is an improvement we still believe the store is too big for the location. It also does not enhance the surrounding neighborhood as required by the neighborhood-commercial plan. Plus, when just about everyone is in Inlet Beach does not want the store how can it be enhancing our neighborhood? This is a question that must be asked and an answer demanded from someone.

Tonight is also that tonight is also where the DRB tackles the outdoor merchandise issue again. This is something that Dollar General continues to do even though it is in violation of the ordinance. So, if you can find the time to go to the meeting tonight it will be kind of a 2-1 thing.


Our digital petition is just under 500 signatures. Please keep passing it around.



https://www.change.org/petitions/wa...rs-do-not-allow-dollar-general-in-inlet-beach







Thanks as always for your efforts.





Sincerely,







Chris

 

[NotDeadYet]

Do you have a site plan you can post?

 

[Zebraspots]

Strange they want to put one there when there is already one 10-15 minutes away in either direction.

 

[Matt J]

You can stand on the corner of Thomas Drive in PCB and see three of them. It's like WalMart bred with roaches.

 

[Abby Prentiss]

In response to an outcry from the community, developers for Dollar General Stores met with several home owners from the Inlet Beach community last week to try to address concerns.


According to a mass email sent out from community leaders, Dollar General developers have extended an olive branch and agreed to make some minor modifications to the store they are proposing to build.


The main modification developers have agreed to make is the addition of a tower to the top of the building to lend a beachy appearance.


Community leaders were also reportedly told that the North Walton Lakeshore access is a must for the store to go in — both for customers coming from the west so they do not have to U-turn, but also for a delivery truck to access the store. This entrance/exit is a big concern of many in the community who feel their roads can not handle more traffic and it also provides the shortest way into Bay County.


The developers were unwilling to decrease the size of the store to more of a neighborhood feel, however.


Todd Rice owns a house in the neighborhood of Grand Point, which is in Inlet Beach. He presently lives there part time but is on a three-year plan to relocate there full time.


"That area is a gateway to 30A," said Rice."That intersection is already scary and the whole area is vulnerable. Some (nice) neighborhoods have built up there and Dollar General is a negative. You want businesses that are unique to the area that do not deter positive growth."

Rice is currently based in Virginia, where he owns and operates a web developing company. He has owned the property in Inlet Beach for approximately 2 and a half years.


"We walk that way to the beach and there is so much traffic. The community should have a bigger say in what businesses go in. The area could compliment Rosemary Beach and the feel of the area," said Rice.


Walton County's Design Review Board meets this Thursday at 5 p.m., and next Thursday (Sept. 12) the Planning Commission meets at the South Walton Annex.


Neighborhood spokesmen said people need to show up and speak.


The community's digital petition is showing just under 500 signatures against Dollar General building in Inlet Beach .

 

[cdsmith96]

Just a reminder that the BoCC meeting regarding the Dollar General in Inlet Beach is tomorrow at 4pm at the SoWal Annex. While not everyone needs to speak we need as many people as possible to show up. This is the final step in the approval process.

We are currently last on the agenda so I would make sure to be there no later than 5pm just in case they blow through everything else.


If you need a ride there please just say so as I am sure we can find someone to help get you there.


Thanks in advance for your help and support.




Sincerely,






Chris Smith
850-249-6419

 

[meggiemom]

It might be good for the snobby crowd at Rosemary Beach to mingle with po folks.