Nature Walk Beach Club & Retail Developement NOT yet approved! THere is still time!!

[jimmyp5]

Re: Nature Walk Beach Club & Retail Developement NOT yet approved! THere is still ti

So ... where would you draw the line?

Somewhere near lower densities and fewer total approvals, I guess. Or, by requiring much more mitigation re traffic, parking, school impacts, etc. than have been required so far.

Even though half of SoWal is public land -- thank goodness, truly our salvation I believe, in many ways -- the private lands being developed could've been done so with a lot more forethought by govt. and by the developers.

Having a better/stronger/more coherent master plan and land use code could've helped, but even sticking to the actual rules in place could've helped (e.g., 5-acre minimum for VMU zoning).

The principles of 1) private property rights above all else, and 2) development=good, more development=more good are apt to bury this beautiful place until it looks more like Anywhere, USA.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Re: Nature Walk Beach Club & Retail Developement NOT yet approved! THere is still ti

Somewhere near lower densities and fewer total approvals, I guess. Or, by requiring much more mitigation re traffic, parking, school impacts, etc. than have been required so far.

Even though half of SoWal is public land -- thank goodness, truly our salvation I believe, in many ways -- the private lands being developed could've been done so with a lot more forethought by govt. and by the developers.

Having a better/stronger/more coherent master plan and land use code could've helped, but even sticking to the actual rules in place could've helped (e.g., 5-acre minimum for VMU zoning).

The principles of 1) private property rights above all else, and 2) development=good, more development=more good are apt to bury this beautiful place until it looks more like Anywhere, USA.

:clap_1: When are you running for office? Well said. There seems to be a great lack of consistency in WalCo government.

 

[KATO]

Sorry the email addresses did not work!

Try the link below to the Walton website. There is a tab at the top with the commissioners info. One for each district, their email addresses are there.

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/default.asp?ID=2



Anyone that would like to be involved, feel free to email me directly. We are trying to make a difference even if it is just minimizing the scale of what they want to do.

thanks!

 

[BeachSteelers]

I went to the meeting yesterday and this is what I see:

525 platted houses@Approx.$1 million per home=$525mil
21 condos@$2+ million each =$42 mil
546 beach club homeowner memberships@ $50,000 value each=$27+mil
It's a 1/2 billion dollar project which will make any opposition to it tough.
These are the developers numbers. The beach club would see constant traffic flow from private cars and shuttles from 8am till 8pm.
At 4 people per home thats nearly 2500 people w/entitlement to the club. So say even 1/3 on a big holiday weekend go to the club. Thats 800+ people( using their numbers) on 340' beach and at the club. A 10 passenger would need 160 trips to service those needs. 2 vans 80 trips. Are people going to wait for overcrowded vans or will they drive themselves adding to traffic? I'll bet the latter.
There's no limit on memberships. Plus some homes will be rentals which makes their 4 person per home numbers seem rather light.
This club will change the feel of Seagrove forever. 30A by the County's own admission is 500 cars a day over capacity. Will this help, I think not. Neither will turning lanes or traffic circle at 395.
I don't feel a need as a Seagrove homeowner to sacrifice our beach and community because some developer cleared 500+ lots that he's having trouble moving. It benefits the community in no way whatsoever. It only diminishes it.
I'm Ok with there condo plans. But their plans call for no limits on members to the club which by their own numbers is too much for this small area. The only public facility there is a convenience store. Is that a benefit to the community? There's 2 already w/n 1/2 mile of it.
They've contacted people w/n 500 ft of it but I think it has a much larger impact than that.
This is not a solution to beach access or parking. It's just a way for a developer to futher line their pockets with greenbacks at the expense of the community. Which when their done the Developer will be able to move on while we're left with the consequences of excess traffic,trash,parking problems, low pay service jobs. I see way more negatives than positives. Bye, I'm gonna hug my trees now.
Peaceful Holidays to All.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Re: Nature Walk Beach Club & Retail Developement NOT yet approved! THere is still ti

BeachSteelers, your numbers appear fairly accurate, but do note that they are not selling memberships to the Beach Club. That number is a perceived Value, but I find it difficult to believe $50,000 per membership would be realistic. That might be the answer to solve the riddle. Charge owners $50,000 per membership and that place will be vacant. I have even suggested to NatureWalk's representative that they could sell memberships at $10,000 - $15,000 each, and that would allow for their exclusive usage from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During the rest of the year, all NatureWalk owners and guest could use the Beach Club without membership. I feel pretty certain that what I was saying was going straight through his head and out the other ear.

By the way, I think your trip totals may be off because many visitors to the beach in this general area of 30A will frequent the beach more than once per day. In my opinion, you could really break apart their Study from Abbott regarding the average frequency of the time people spend on the beach. Find out what area in particular the study was done. Also point out that their average includes 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. We all know that the real season does not include that many days. For anyone interested in what the developer is saying based on their study from Abbott is that the average visitor to the beach stays 4 days and frequents the beach only one out of the four days, and on average, spends two hours on the beach. floor: - per year!) Tell those boys to get a new study that is specific to the tourist habits of 30A. They say that the Study also shows the reason for coming to the beaches. Number four on the list is the beach. Shopping and Golf were two of the others beating out "the beach." I would like to know where the majority of these golfers are playing since there is not a public course anywhere in SoWal, South of the Bay and east of Sandestin.

 

[jimmyp5]

SJ, if what you're saying -- about the consultant's assumptions in the traffic/beach use study -- is correct, and if the county officials actually believe those kinds of assumptions are +/- accurate, we in a heap o' trouble.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Re: Nature Walk Beach Club & Retail Developement NOT yet approved! THere is still ti

SJ, if what you're saying -- about the consultant's assumptions in the traffic/beach use study -- is correct, and if the county officials actually believe those kinds of assumptions are +/- accurate, we in a heap o' trouble.

You are correct, and the developer's answer to you calling BS on their study will be, "prove it." Show us your data. Where are your stats? We paid to have a study done.

I encourage you to get a copy of the study and note the particulars of location. Also, break down those averages by the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day rather than using the entire year. I have not seen the study, but I have been told that it is not a recent study, so that might also have some weight. From the stats I heard from the study, I would venture to guess that it may include SoWal (but maybe not), but it is probably extended to at least Destin and Ft Walton Beach. It might also be for Panama City Beach. Get a copy of that study, and begin using it against them. Pick it apart, and ask why the developer did not use a study pertaining to this area. Traffic flow, the lack of, will be the biggest burden of this Beach Access in my opinion. Already traffic is bad at 395/30, and a while a round-a-bout might help today's load, it will do nothing for the increased loads of 2009 when this project gets completed.

 

[STL Don]

Re: Nature Walk Beach Club & Retail Developement NOT yet approved! THere is still ti

BeachSteelers, your numbers appear fairly accurate, but do note that they are not selling memberships to the Beach Club. That number is a perceived Value, but I find it difficult to believe $50,000 per membership would be realistic. That might be the answer to solve the riddle. Charge owners $50,000 per membership and that place will be vacant. I have even suggested to NatureWalk's representative that they could sell memberships at $10,000 - $15,000 each, and that would allow for their exclusive usage from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During the rest of the year, all NatureWalk owners and guest could use the Beach Club without membership. I feel pretty certain that what I was saying was going straight through his head and out the other ear.

By the way, I think your trip totals may be off because many visitors to the beach in this general area of 30A will frequent the beach more than once per day. In my opinion, you could really break apart their Study from Abbott regarding the average frequency of the time people spend on the beach. Find out what area in particular the study was done. Also point out that their average includes 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. We all know that the real season does not include that many days. For anyone interested in what the developer is saying based on their study from Abbott is that the average visitor to the beach stays 4 days and frequents the beach only one out of the four days, and on average, spends two hours on the beach. floor: - per year!) Tell those boys to get a new study that is specific to the tourist habits of 30A. They say that the Study also shows the reason for coming to the beaches. Number four on the list is the beach. Shopping and Golf were two of the others beating out "the beach." I would like to know where the majority of these golfers are playing since there is not a public course anywhere in SoWal, South of the Bay and east of Sandestin.

Last I heard, Santa Rosa golf club was open to the public.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Re: Nature Walk Beach Club & Retail Developement NOT yet approved! THere is still ti

Last I heard, Santa Rosa golf club was open to the public.

I stand corrected. Question, do you think that more people come to SoWal to play golf or go to the beach?

 

[BeachSteelers]

I aslo learned the Developer was quite flustered after that meeting. Saying how people who don't live close showed to express concern. I guess if you more than 500ft away you should just shut the PieHole! Incredible!!! Also of interest is that the Architectual Firm is owned a Fl State Senator. Sorry I wish I had a name.
Smiling Joe, I'm really against the Club itself. No restriction of membership so as many as 546 might be "given" to homeowners. Are they allowed guest with them too? Which would add to the numbers.
Sure seemed, to me, that the County"s people didn't feel and increase in traffic is all that bad. Guess 100K "donation" for roads sure goes along way for your cause!
I have a Petition for people to sign.IM me if anyone interested in trying to preserve Seagrove. It will be sent to the meeting on the 24th of Jan. Unfortunately I'll be out of town from the Jan.10th till Feb. so I won't be able to attend. But be sure all signatures will be sent to the Commissioners.

Lets fight the good fight.