BY RACHEL KYLER SUN REPORTER
With increased interest in development north of the bay, the county is hoping to maintain congruity with future projects by enforcing height restrictions.
Walton County has had height limits of 50 feet in place south of U.S. Highway 98 since 1993. In 2001, the County Commission extended the restriction areas north of the highway and south of the bay. However, there are no current restrictions north of the bay.
Now Commissioners are exploring a 50-foot height restriction.
?It?s not something that has come up yet,? said Vivian Shamel, Walton County planning department citizen planner.?
?(The ordinance) is in anticipation of what could happen.?
?We don?t want the county to be all high rises,? County Administrator Ronnie Bell said. ?It?s worked for us in South Walton.?
In addition to aesthetic concerns, there are practical reasons for the proposed ordinance.
Eglin regularly tests advanced weaponry systems over the Gulf of Mexico. Buildings over certain heights could impede the Air Force?s ability to gather appropriate data from radar systems, explained Robert Arnold, chairman of the Mission Enhancement Committee at Eglin.
?If we can?t test weapon systems in real world time, we?re increasing the risk that those systems will not work in combat. There is no substitution for real world testing,? he said.
Building restrictions along the coast are not new.
In the early 1950s, Eglin ?outgranted? the Okaloosa Island with easement that cited structures could not exceed 50 feet above the ground. Earlier engineers recognized building too far above the tree line could pose obstacles to military training, Arnold said.
Ultimately, the military cannot control what developers do. They can only articulate concerns, Arnold said. He hopes to, ?strike a balance between private construction and what we would like to see.?
?We?re trying to work with Elgin and be good neighbor and be more involved,? Bell said.
Though the military encounters some objections, Arnold believes, ?most people don?t want to undermine the long term strategic value of Eglin to the nation.?
Citizens will have the opportunity to voice their opinions at a future public hearing for which the date has yet to be set.
With increased interest in development north of the bay, the county is hoping to maintain congruity with future projects by enforcing height restrictions.
Walton County has had height limits of 50 feet in place south of U.S. Highway 98 since 1993. In 2001, the County Commission extended the restriction areas north of the highway and south of the bay. However, there are no current restrictions north of the bay.
Now Commissioners are exploring a 50-foot height restriction.
?It?s not something that has come up yet,? said Vivian Shamel, Walton County planning department citizen planner.?
?(The ordinance) is in anticipation of what could happen.?
?We don?t want the county to be all high rises,? County Administrator Ronnie Bell said. ?It?s worked for us in South Walton.?
In addition to aesthetic concerns, there are practical reasons for the proposed ordinance.
Eglin regularly tests advanced weaponry systems over the Gulf of Mexico. Buildings over certain heights could impede the Air Force?s ability to gather appropriate data from radar systems, explained Robert Arnold, chairman of the Mission Enhancement Committee at Eglin.
?If we can?t test weapon systems in real world time, we?re increasing the risk that those systems will not work in combat. There is no substitution for real world testing,? he said.
Building restrictions along the coast are not new.
In the early 1950s, Eglin ?outgranted? the Okaloosa Island with easement that cited structures could not exceed 50 feet above the ground. Earlier engineers recognized building too far above the tree line could pose obstacles to military training, Arnold said.
Ultimately, the military cannot control what developers do. They can only articulate concerns, Arnold said. He hopes to, ?strike a balance between private construction and what we would like to see.?
?We?re trying to work with Elgin and be good neighbor and be more involved,? Bell said.
Though the military encounters some objections, Arnold believes, ?most people don?t want to undermine the long term strategic value of Eglin to the nation.?
Citizens will have the opportunity to voice their opinions at a future public hearing for which the date has yet to be set.