Walton County Commission Meeting Agenda 8/24/10

There must be some controversial issues being proposed because the meeting notification signs are EVERYWHERE.

What's going on? Can anyone give me a synopsis?

The silence is scaring me.

You may have noticed a lot of signs going up on property advertising a Map Amendment. Here is what is happening. As you know, the county is currently in the process of amending its Comprehensive Plan. (CP) The CP is the ruling policy document for the county and establishes the regulations for various property classifications. Unlike most communities, Walton County does not have zoning. Hopefully that will be changed in the future as zoning provides much more clarity for existing property owners and those seeking to purchase property for a particular purpose. For example, if someone wants to start a business, the zoning map clearly identifies property which is zoned for each type of commercial.

Walton County has broad land use categories instead of specific zoning for each parcel. The broad land uses allow a number of different uses within a land use category. For example, in Coastal Center, residential, commercial, public and civic uses can be in one land use category. Walton County depends on compatibility concepts and buffering to separate otherwise incompatible uses within the same category. In connection with the CP amendment process, the county must revise the land use map. That map shows all the different land use categories. The Map Amendments which are being advertised on the signs pertain to a request to change a land use category. People who own property within 300 feet of a proposed land use change should have received letters regarding the proposal. As an example of a proposed change, on CR 30A, for example, there are signs where an owner of property or the county wants to change a residential land use to a neighborhood commercial category.

The county is sponsoring Map Amendment changes where they feel like the property has an existing incorrect land use designation or where they feel future planing requires property be placed in another category.

To see the proposed Map amendments , click on the link below:

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/index.aspx?nid=534

Under Part IV of the Proposed Map Series are the County Sponsored Amendments map and table, and the Proposed Future Land Use Map and Map.

You are looking for these sections:

* Part IV of Map Series
* County Sponsored Future Land Use Map Amendments
* Table for County Sponsored Future Land Use Map Amendments
* Proposed Future Land Use
* Proposed Future Land Use - Map Book

* Large Scale Future Land Use Map Amendments


The "Table for County Sponsored Future Land Use Map Amendments" lists all the county sponsored amendments. It is helpful if you get the map number off a sign or off the letter so you can go directly to that map number to see what is being proposed which is of interest to you. The "Proposed Future Land Use-Map Book" links shows all of the proposed map changes.

The County sponsored map changes will go to a public hearing before the Planning Commission on August 17, 2010. That meeting is at the courthouse in South Walton and it starts at 5 PM.

NOTE: A listing of the proposed land use changes being sponsored by individual property owners is not currently available. I have been assured by the county that it will be available soon as those proposed map amendments go before the Planning Commission on August 23, 2010. Again, the meeting starts at 5 PM. I will send you the link to that information as soon as I get it from the county.

The county has requested that any questions or concerns be put in writing. The contacts for the county are:

Jennifer Christensen - chrjennifer@co.walton.fl.us
Gerry Demers - demgerry@co.walton.fl.us
Melissa Ward - warmelissa@co.walton.fl.us

Anita Page
SWCC Executive Director

beachrunner, if you are looking to learn which parcels are being considered for changes in land-use, click here for the list. This is what the County Commissioners are hearing tomorrow evening.

Thanks for the info, y'all. We haven't received a certified letter, so that means we're not within 300 feet of a change. But we care about the entire 30A corridor because we want to become permanent residents. Thanks, Anita, Kurt, and koa. Time to do our homework. Unfortunately we can't be at the meeting tomorrow night.

I most definitely AM within 300 feet, and haven't received a certified letter either.

I most definitely AM within 300 feet, and haven't received a certified letter either.

Dammit. That's just unacceptable.

beachrunner, if you are looking to learn which parcels are being considered for changes in land-use, click here for the list. This is what the County Commissioners are hearing tomorrow evening.

Koa
Not to contradict you but tomorrow night is the County Comissioners meeting...they can't discuss the lots listed on your link yet because they haven't all been discussed before the Planning Group meeting yet. August 25th, one day after the Comissioner's meeting on Tues (the 24th) this Planning Group will continue the 17th meeting..and hear from the rest of the folks who had objections but were not able to speak due to running our of time on the 17th. After everyone is heard, the Planning Group will decide which lots are to be changed, then their decision will move on to the County Commissioners who will open it for public discussion and then will vote. I was in attendance at the meeting on the 17th so I know this to be a fact,

Wow. A lot of changes from residential preservation to neighborhood commercial. And correcting previous mistakes...? Hmm

I most definitely AM within 300 feet, and haven't received a certified letter either.

Since the land use change is County sponsored you will not receive notification. Your notification is the notice in local media. Thanks to SOWAL, it's a bit more public.

parcel identifications - seagrove

With respect to seagrove use remapping: 4 parcels (2 on 30A at corners of 395 and holly st with 2 others that adjoin them to north); wheelhouse and former kayak rental parcels plus one other adjacent parcel; and lastly, one parcel ID that the county says does not exist. (?)

But on the Map *County Sponsored Future Land Use Map Amendments*, a parcel south of 30a has also been colored in gray - immediately south of wheelhouse property - I fear it is Seagrove Villas. Sigh.

Since the land use change is County sponsored you will not receive notification. Your notification is the notice in local media. Thanks to SOWAL, it's a bit more public.

If what you state is true, why did those of us around 5 lots up for a change all receive a notice from the county and Carmen who's lot actually backs up and touches a lot up for change not get one...I think you are wrong on this one. I think if one person failed to receive notification than others must have too. After all, not all property owners live here. The county can send out tax notices so think they can manage a proposed lot change also. Also, the county is changing because these owners asked foir the change..my letter actually states that.

It should also be publicized in the local paper? Most government changes have to be advertised there before the public hearings.

One more reason second home owners need a Herald/Beach Breeze mailed to them.:wave:

It should also be publicized in the local paper? Most government changes have to be advertised there before the public hearings.

One more reason second home owners need a Herald/Beach Breeze mailed to them.:wave:

I beg to disagree...proposed tax notices are mailed to property owners, correct? As far as an owner needing to subscribe to a local paper to find out that due to a new county plan, or a neighbor asking for a change on their property, that could also mean that my property might also be changed by going down in value, or being exposed to a commercial enterprise that could bring extra noise, extra traffic, etc. Nope, I think the county that collects the taxes on my property owes me a notice...and since I did get a notice the county did do right by me. It is their job to inform!
BUT on the other hand, property changes to allow a business to be built in a residential area do cause problems for the whole community not just those that are within 300 feet. Not sure even a sign is enough notice.

Just a quick update...The Walton County Commissioners are having a special meeting on August 30th (that's a Monday) at 5PM at the annex courthouse to hear what the Planning Commissioners have decided at their hearings. There last hearing is August 25th TONIGHT at the Courthouse Annex on 331 at 5Pm. Concerned please attend.