So you have an issue. A reasonable solution, maybe would be if they are homesteaded?I agree that the businesses need to participate in a solution - one is certainly needed for businesses. However I do have some concerns about the requirements for single family homes on lots less than 1/2 acre. Since there is no minimum lot size in Walton County, I think a lot of existing lots are going to find it really hard to meet the requirements. I am not thinking here about vacation rental properties so much as I am thinking about full time permanent residents, of which we are getting more and more these days. According to the proposed ordinance, a home 2501-3000 sq ft would require 5 parking spots, and if tandem spots are used they can be no more than two deep. I think this might result in the front of the house being all one wide driveway cut and nothing else. Seems very limiting. As I read this, you could not for instance have a long driveway on one side where you could stack up three cars. The assumption seems to be that it might be rented so lets just make everyone conform. Does the average family that lives in this size house have five cars??
I agree that the businesses need to participate in a solution - one is certainly needed for businesses. However I do have some concerns about the requirements for single family homes on lots less than 1/2 acre. Since there is no minimum lot size in Walton County, I think a lot of existing lots are going to find it really hard to meet the requirements. I am not thinking here about vacation rental properties so much as I am thinking about full time permanent residents, of which we are getting more and more these days. According to the proposed ordinance, a home 2501-3000 sq ft would require 5 parking spots, and if tandem spots are used they can be no more than two deep. I think this might result in the front of the house being all one wide driveway cut and nothing else. Seems very limiting. As I read this, you could not for instance have a long driveway on one side where you could stack up three cars. The assumption seems to be that it might be rented so lets just make everyone conform. Does the average family that lives in this size house have five cars??
I read the proposed ordinance and I like it. Yes, there are quite a few overbuilt rental houses and businesses that do not meet the requirements and will have problems if they try to expand. But since those houses and businesses don't have adequate parking now and routinely park in the street, in the ROW, in front of their neighbors' houses, and at beach accesses I don't feel a lot of sympathy.
If my house burned down, floods, or is blown away by a hurricane, I have to rebuild it to current codes. If I add onto it, I have to follow current codes. Why should businesses be any different?
The square footage requirement for houses is a long overdue fix for dens, offices, studies, exercise rooms, sitting rooms, libraries, and whatever else people call bedrooms to avoid following the rules.
Take a good look at what is being proposed, not what they say is being proposed. I think you will find that almost all of the houses and businesses not in compliance already have parking problems. The ordinance changes are a direct response to growing parking problems and people bending or breaking the rules.