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Do We Desperately Need Drive-Thrus?
- Thread starter rapunzel
- Start date
ShallowsNole
Beach Fanatic
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even though that's of course what 99% of us in South Walton want...
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Might be what 99% of the folks on this board and the general population of 30A wants, but I guarantee that the percentage is much lower.
General feeling, however, is that they don't belong on 30A. But, blasphemous as it may sound, there is much more to South Walton than 30A.
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Susan Horn
Beach Fanatic
A good friend of mine who used to live on Cape Cod and now lives outside Durango just sent me this link to a story of hers in the Durango Herald. Seemed to have some relevance to our discussions here.
Durango Herald News, Maintaining a sustainable lifestyle a safety net
I get confused sometimes with all the quotes and replies, can't always tell who said what. But anyway, has there been some kind of poll saying 99% of Walton County -- or South Walton folks -- do or don't want chains, drive-throughs, etc.? I'd like to see the poll. I do know that the very public and inclusive visioning processes I've participated in or read about over many years resulted in visions that clearly preferred the atmosphere of a community served by small local businesses to one that is home to national chains and big boxes.
I suggest that it's not really the Planning Department's handling of this issue that's critical (though I'm open to reaching a new level of understanding if there are subtelties and details I'm not grasping here). I believe what matters most is how we as citizens participate in the process, which includes Planning Commission meetings, BCC meetings, and probably opportunities to opine in local newspapers as well as direct communication with BCC and PC members, whether by phone, fax, e-mail, snail mail, or maybe even smoke signals.
Durango Herald News, Maintaining a sustainable lifestyle a safety net
I get confused sometimes with all the quotes and replies, can't always tell who said what. But anyway, has there been some kind of poll saying 99% of Walton County -- or South Walton folks -- do or don't want chains, drive-throughs, etc.? I'd like to see the poll. I do know that the very public and inclusive visioning processes I've participated in or read about over many years resulted in visions that clearly preferred the atmosphere of a community served by small local businesses to one that is home to national chains and big boxes.
I suggest that it's not really the Planning Department's handling of this issue that's critical (though I'm open to reaching a new level of understanding if there are subtelties and details I'm not grasping here). I believe what matters most is how we as citizens participate in the process, which includes Planning Commission meetings, BCC meetings, and probably opportunities to opine in local newspapers as well as direct communication with BCC and PC members, whether by phone, fax, e-mail, snail mail, or maybe even smoke signals.
Winnie
Beach Fanatic
I don't understand the objection in any case. Maybe somebody could clearly point out what the objections are. If it is simply because there aren't any here now so they wouldn't fit in with the character of the place, I don't believe that's valid. Twenty years ago there was an entirely different character than now, yet 30A has thrived with the changes.
Again, I could take it or leave it. It doesn't bother me that there isn't a Taco Bell on 30A but it wouldn't bother me in the least if there were. I'll bet many vacationing beach goers would love it. Particularly those with big groups and big families. Right off the beach and into some grub.
Chandra
Beach Fanatic
More food for thought.
Proximity to Fast Food a Factor in Student Obesity
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/health/nutrition/26obese.html?hpw
Proximity to Fast Food a Factor in Student Obesity
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/health/nutrition/26obese.html?hpw
Rita
margarita brocolia
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These folks may be happier in the Destin atmosphere. The character of 30-A without high rises, fast food and t-shirt chains is extremely important to most homeowners as well as returning vacationers imo.
We vacation and purchased in SoWal precisely because the above mentioned do not exist here. We want charm and uniqueness which still exists but is threatened.
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Jdarg
SoWal Expert
I think you nailed it. People like 30A just as much for what it doesn't have just as much as what it does.;-)
Susan Horn
Beach Fanatic
Reminds me that I've read articles quoting studies that show how sprawl leads to obesity also. Having to drive everywhere instead of walking/biking = less exercise, more sedentariness etc.
I noticed in a recent trip to an old European city that I was one of the three heftiest people I saw there; In America, I'm not considered fat but there, I was wishing I was in way better shape. Everyone, including the elderly, walked or rode bikes everywhere, and it looked like bikes outnumbered cars by an order of magnitude at least. There was plenty of terrific, made-from-scratch food available on practically every street corner -- amazing pastries, cheeses, confections, not to mention phenomenal beer! I don't remember seeing any fast food chains, though there were a few chains that served ethnic specialties from every continent.
One of the most amazing things I noticed was how many women of all ages rode bikes in skirts and high heels with far greater apparent ease and skill than I ever imagined possible.
There was also a thriving business at the Saturday farmers' market where local produce and fresh-made foods were sold.
Winnie
Beach Fanatic
Thanks for the reply. I understand completely that some people are happy that there has never been a fast food franchise with drive-thru on 30A and will be happy if there never is. I don't understand why.
Is it the smell? The aesthetics? I've seen many fast food restaurant buildings, McDonalds particularly, that are designed to conform with the surrounding architecture. Is there something particularly objectionable?
Can anyone describe their objection without subjective terms like charm, character, or feel? I'm just trying to understand.
I do know some objections to more high rises - density, compatiblity, blocking the sun, etc. and T-shirt stores - neon lighting particularly.
Rita
margarita brocolia
Refer back to Susan's post #114:
"............. But the other 99.9% of the time, I relish the absence of national chains -- and the resulting beautiful variety of local mom and pop businesses -- as a huge part of what makes South Walton so special; so appealing to tourists of significantly higher demographic profile than those who visit our neighboring counties; and such a big reason why I live here rather than any geography-of-nowhere town, USA.
National chains suck money out of local economies at dizzying rates, siphoning our cash into the pockets of folks who have no accountability to us or to their employees,nd no interest in our community other than how much profit they can extract. Local mom and pops keep the money in the community where it undergoes a multiplier effect of great benefit to the local economy. (I majored in English, and withdrew in disgrace from Economics 101; otherwise I'd explain this in more detail.) ..........................."
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