Potential Land Use Changes are Far Reaching

[scooterbug44]

Drive down 30-a and count the number of vacant commercial properties for lease; look online and count commercial properties up for sale; or check out commercial properties in foreclosure. Redfish Village and Uptown Grayton come to mind as commercial properties that have struggled to attract and rarely hold on to tenants long-term.

Then tell me we need zoning that allows more commercial properties to be built at present. As it stands, it will probably take closer to 5-8 years to fill up the existing vacant commercial space or build out the lots that already got approval for commercial zoning along 30-a.

Some of what Walton County has already zoned commercial is just dumb. The first postage-stamp sized lot as you enter the Ventana Dunes neighborhood is zoned commercial, thankfully not built on yet. Heaven help the owner of the cute little residential cottage next door if they ever attempt putting a commercial building on that site.

Definitely agree we have more commercial and zoned commercial than we need and some actual common sense should be used in the designations.

However, I was told that all of the current zoning issues and signs are because the planning department is YEARS behind schedule.

Perhaps we should streamline that process/department?

 

[Elephant Child]

Definitely agree we have more commercial and zoned commercial than we need and some actual common sense should be used in the designations.

However, I was told that all of the current zoning issues and signs are because the planning department is YEARS behind schedule.

Perhaps we should streamline that process/department?

Not sure if that is true...personally I think if anything, if indeed they are behind, which I doubt, they are doing a really poor job of trying to catch up. I have attended three meetings where the Planning Dept. Staff is available for questions...they don't seem organized, they speak and relay misinformation, and the Planning Commission is no better. They are trying to come up with a one plan for all of Walton...different areas need different approaches. 30 A will soon be a Panama City Back Beach Road ...no one will even want to travel it...Scenic? Don't think so!

 

[Beach Runner]

Drive down 30-a and count the number of vacant commercial properties for lease; look online and count commercial properties up for sale; or check out commercial properties in foreclosure. Redfish Village and Uptown Grayton come to mind as commercial properties that have struggled to attract and rarely hold on to tenants long-term.

Then tell me we need zoning that allows more commercial properties to be built at present. As it stands, it will probably take closer to 5-8 years to fill up the existing vacant commercial space or build out the lots that already got approval for commercial zoning along 30-a.

Some of what Walton County has already zoned commercial is just dumb. The first postage-stamp sized lot as you enter the Ventana Dunes neighborhood is zoned commercial, thankfully not built on yet. Heaven help the owner of the cute little residential cottage next door if they ever attempt putting a commercial building on that site.

What an excellent point! Bravo!

 

[wrobert]

Yes, you are missing something. You are missing the fact that your neighboring properties can affect you. It isn't as clear as you say about allowing anyone to do anything on property deeded to them.

So are you saying that the new regs do allow nuclear power plants?

 

[wrobert]

Definitely agree we have more commercial and zoned commercial than we need and some actual common sense should be used in the designations.

However, I was told that all of the current zoning issues and signs are because the planning department is YEARS behind schedule.

Perhaps we should streamline that process/department?

Would that not be an accomplishment. I have seen many try, but all they ever seem to do is replace staff when by now it should be obvious it is the process itself that is failed.

 

[wrobert]

Drive down 30-a and count the number of vacant commercial properties for lease; look online and count commercial properties up for sale; or check out commercial properties in foreclosure. Redfish Village and Uptown Grayton come to mind as commercial properties that have struggled to attract and rarely hold on to tenants long-term.

Then tell me we need zoning that allows more commercial properties to be built at present. As it stands, it will probably take closer to 5-8 years to fill up the existing vacant commercial space or build out the lots that already got approval for commercial zoning along 30-a.

Some of what Walton County has already zoned commercial is just dumb. The first postage-stamp sized lot as you enter the Ventana Dunes neighborhood is zoned commercial, thankfully not built on yet. Heaven help the owner of the cute little residential cottage next door if they ever attempt putting a commercial building on that site.

How is this possible when we do not have zoning in this county?

 

[Douglas the Intrepid]

One thing that is clear to me now after reading this thread is I know which posters I would and would not want as neighbors. ;-)

 

[Beach Runner]

Big D will be at the meeting. Enough said.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Definitely agree we have more commercial and zoned commercial than we need and some actual common sense should be used in the designations.

However, I was told that all of the current zoning issues and signs are because the planning department is YEARS behind schedule.

Perhaps we should streamline that process/department?

Agree and in the meantime, perhaps we should stop EVERYTHING until they get caught up!

 

[wrobert]

Agree and in the meantime, perhaps we should stop EVERYTHING until they get caught up!

Regulations should not be built upon need. Let the market work on the prices of all those places on 30-A and you will see them fill up. Just takes time. But that should not prevent someone else from building something. Sheesh! That logic is the same as telling me if I own an empty lot I can build a house cause there are already plenty of empty ones for sale.