HEARING ON AUGUST 25th/Grayton zoning changes

Sorry, 5 pm

Do you want more commercial activity in Grayton beach on Defuniak street? If you would like to see Defuniak Street turn into a defacto strip mall.... do nothing. But if you are concerned about the potential re-zoning of several parcels of land near the stop light/intersection of Grayton and Magnolia, please express our concern by attending a meeting at the county annex on the 25th of August. This will be a continuation of a meeting from August 17. The rezoning of dozens of parcels of land are being considered, including the rezoning of the parcels in question from infill or residential to "neighborhood commercial"
If you have concerns please feel free to make and speak at the meeting on August 25th if at all possible, and if not here is a contact source for a letter/email/ or a Fax.

Melissa Ward~ Project Manager Planning & Development Services
Phone: (850)267-1955
Fax: (850) 622-9133

Please post the email addresses of those who will be a part of the decision-making process, and we will email our opposition to "neighborhood commercial." Or should we just email our concerns to you?

For now, I believe the best person to e-mail is Melissa Ward -- warmelissa@co.walton.fl.us
Thanks for your interest.

Actually, the Board of County Commissioners are the people who will be making the decisions, not Melissa.

What was the August 17 meeting that was continued? Was it county commission, planning commission or possibly one of those community input meetings that developers hold? I don't recall seeing any notice of a meeting that day.

Anybody know the proposed changes? I've seen signs posted but don't know whats going on.

Actually, the Board of County Commissioners are the people who will be making the decisions, not Melissa.

Melissa is relaying all emails/faxes/ or letters to the Planning Board that she receives. The Planning Commissioners take public comments both verbal and written into consideration. If they opt to vote yes on the owner's request it goes to the County Commissioners who hold another piblic hearing on it before voting on it.

If they listen and decide to vote no...the issue stops there and does not go the County Commissioners.

The meeting was originally scheduled for August 17th...big crowds showed up..very slow moving meeting so time started running out...another followup meeting was set up to be held on 25th to hear from the rest of the public. Grayton Beach issues are # 22 and # 43 I believe.

Since the results of the 17th meeting were scheduled to be heard on August 24th at Commissioner's Meeting that has also been changed. That agenda item was pulled. (Since there had to be a second Planning meeting) I believe you can check the Commissioner's Agenda on their web site and see that noted.

Hopes this Helps.

What was the August 17 meeting that was continued? Was it county commission, planning commission or possibly one of those community input meetings that developers hold? I don't recall seeing any notice of a meeting that day.

The only way you would have known about this meeting, was if you received a notice because you were 300 yards away from the lot in question or if you stopped and read the sign posted on the property. Changes like this that could really impact the whole neighborhood needed more publication in my opinion.

Anybody know the proposed changes? I've seen signs posted but don't know whats going on.

All I am familiar with is Grayton area. The county is considering, due to the owners requests, a change in 5 residential lots to be changed to commercial lots. All five lots are located on Defunial Street. All of the lots are surrounded and back up to already established residential housing.(Grayton Trail, Defuniak and Pine Street)


Commercial Definition
The purpose of this land use category is to designate small areas in proximity to residential areas that will allow for a limited group of commercial uses to serve the needs of those residential areas. All neighborhood commercial uses must be designed in use, scale, character, and intensity to be compatible with, and to protect, the abutting and surrounding residential areas.
Uses Allowed : offices, professional services, storefront retail shopping, neighborhood grocery stores, limited lodging not to exceed twenty-five (25) rooms, banks, bakeries, caf?s, and restaurants without drive-thru facilities.
Prohibited uses: Gas stations and convenience stores with or without fuel, bars, and auto repair services, and the like. However, this provision does not preclude restaurants, or other similar allowed uses, from alcohol sales/services during course of business. Outdoor storage , outdoor broadcasting or music, display of goods, or outdoor seating for caf?s and restaurants may be permitted, subject to a case-by-case determination of its impact on the abutting neighborhood and where it does not conflict with the Scenic Corridor Guidelines

Concerns:
Melissa Ward~ Project Manager Planning & Development Services
Phone: (850)267-1955
Fax: (850) 622-9133
E-mail: warmelissa@co.walton.fl.us

a pdf file of proposed zoning changes

Here's a pdf file with proposed zoning changes throughout the county.

Is it just me, or does it seem silly to ID items on the agenda by the parcel ID numbers?

What other way do you have to identify vacant land parcels which are metes and bounds legal descriptions? The county always uses the parcel id.

I just got clarification from Walton County Citizen Services on the meeting tomorrow night (Aug. 25). It is a planning commission special meeting and it will be about county-sponsored Future Land Use Amendments. It is a continuation of the Aug. 17 planning commission meeting.
Many of you know that planning commission meetings are the first step in the approval process, not the final decision. The planning commission makes a recommendation on items to the county commission. The county commission makes the final decision at a later date. However it is important for citizens to provide any input as early as possible.
I also found out that the planning issues that are scheduled as part of today's (Aug. 24) county commission meeting may be continued or postponed until Thursday night, although a decision on that won't be made until the commissioners convene for the meeting. Since it is election night, I understand that two of the commissioners may have to be finished by 6 p.m. to serve on the canvassing board.

I just got clarification from Walton County Citizen Services on the meeting tomorrow night (Aug. 25). It is a planning commission special meeting and it will be about county-sponsored Future Land Use Amendments. It is a continuation of the Aug. 17 planning commission meeting.
Many of you know that planning commission meetings are the first step in the approval process, not the final decision. The planning commission makes a recommendation on items to the county commission. The county commission makes the final decision at a later date. However it is important for citizens to provide any input as early as possible.
I also found out that the planning issues that are scheduled as part of today's (Aug. 24) county commission meeting may be continued or postponed until Thursday night, although a decision on that won't be made until the commissioners convene for the meeting. Since it is election night, I understand that two of the commissioners may have to be finished by 6 p.m. to serve on the canvassing board.

They went with a Special Meeting on Monday, August 30 at the SoWal Annex rather than Thursday night for the continuation of the land use issues.