Proposed bathrooms at Inlet Beach public access

[Smiling JOe]

beachsi02, do your estimates of 1600 units include the "affordable housing" units which were recently approved by the BCC (last mtg), at Christian International?

 

[BeachSiO2]

beachsi02, do your estimates of 1600 units include the "affordable housing" units which were recently approved by the BCC (last mtg), at Christian International?

No. The numbers came from one of the Beach Management Committee members and his numbers did not include those properties as far as I am aware.

 

[cpete]

Sounds like one of those "shovel ready" projects.. Hmmm...

 

[Andy A]

If it's shorter than the cute little one at WC/Seaside and comparable in size to the other restrooms in the area, sounds like there isn't anything legitimate to complain about?

In my estimation, there is probably very little to complain about. It seems anytime there is a restroom constructed anywhere even close to "private beach property" someone has a problem with it. I personally think it is great we are taking care of our visitors though I realize some of them are slobs. A few go with the territory and you must reluctantly accept that.

 

[Bob Wells]

If you build it they will come.

 

[pgurney]

From what I've seen, a ground floor unit wouldn't give you a Gulf view. You would need to be on the second floor to get any kind of distant Gulf view, and the restrooms proposed, shouldn't be tall enough to block that. If anything, it should be an improvement of the view to not have people peeing in the parking lot.

You're correct that a ground floor unit wouldn't give a Gulf view in most situations but, in all respect, it's quite disingenuous to say that a second floor would only give a distant view. It's about the same "distance" that a Gulf front home in Watersound would have. The view from a second floor along that area is spectacular and unspoiled by the protected dunes in front of it.

I think we agree that the restrooms shouldn't be tall enough to interrupt that view; and from what I've gathered from the emails most people don't oppose the project but only the size. I get down there enough to know whether people really poop on the beach or pee in the parking lot, and from what I've seen this is not all that common. These comments, taken together as a whole, are offensive remarks towards our visitors.

I looked back through my records and thought these may be of interest in regards to residents knowing about timing of the proposed project. One attachment shows the sign at the end of Orange Street and the other attachment shows the actual wording of the sign. Please note that the first noticed meeting was July 10, 2008 so the sign has been in place for over 10 months. Sorry about the large size but I wanted to make sure they were legible.

Just for the record I'd like to reiterate that most of the emails I've seen are from people not opposing the project, but just the size and height. I'd also like to take the time to thank you and those like you that have and take the oppurtunity to stay engaged in our community.

They are VERY similar in architectural design and color as the one in Seaside/WaterColor (aka Van Ness Butler Jr. or VRB) however the elevation is slightly lower as it will have no cupola per the local resident's request. However, the Inlet facility retains the boxed louvers at the top that allow for cross ventilation since there is no air conditioning or fans inside, and the previous designs can become warm (hot) in the summer time. The facility consists of two restrooms that share a common roof. Each restroom is the the smallest size possible to contain three commodes (or two urinals and a commode in the mens) and a sink that would meet ADA compliance. This number of commodes/urinals is the same as Miramar Beach, Santa Clara, Gulfview Heights, Ed Walline, and VRB. The approximate building footprint including the shared walkway/breezeway is 46x24 and was modified from the VRB design per the residents request to limit impact to the natural environment. As I mentioned no scrub on the seaward side of the facility will be removed as part of the construction.

It is designed and expected to serve the visitors that use and will use the facility in the future as the need for more and more public access grows. Currently, the closest public access in Walton County with parking, restrooms and lifeguards to Inlet Beach is more than 10 miles east of this location in Seagrove. Based on estimates from existing and planned developments along HWY 98 east of Christian International, there could be as many as 1600 units and that does not include 30-A residents or Bay County users which is less than a mile away.

Thanks again for all the information and public involvement.

 

[Smiling JOe]

pgurney,
To clarify, I call the water view "distant" if you cannot see the beach. Just a term I use. The properties to the north of this park do not have a view of the sand from the second, nor third floors. The closest water they can see by looking south is still pretty far off shore, hence my term "distant Gulf views." This doesn't mean that the property is far away from the Gulf, just that the views are of the Gulf are distant, rather than close.

Regarding people peeing and pooping, if there were no restrooms (currently there are two portojohns), where do you think people would poop and pee without facilities? (I never mentioned tourists. I was referring to beachgoers.) They aren't going to do it in front of others, but under the darkness of the night, or behind the open door of a truck, in the Gulf, or on the beach, people will do what people have to do.

 

[wrobert]

I certainly learned of some interesting things going on in public restrooms in sowal at the meeting.


If they get the restrooms built we should do the next soiree in inlet beach.

 

[scooterbug44]

I wasn't speaking of visitors either. I imagine most locals have peed on/at the beach many a time. For #2 you definitely should make a trip to a restroom facility, but #1 works quite well in sand/water.

 

[wrobert]

I wasn't speaking of visitors either. I imagine most locals have peed on/at the beach many a time. For #2 you definitely should make a trip to a restroom facility, but #1 works quite well in sand/water.

I was sitting next to Shallowsnole and she would not quit talking so maybe I mis heard. But I thought someone was claiming that the homeless were using the bathrooms for housing in sowal, as well as quite a bit of sexual activity going on. I know that use to be one of the main problems in Inlet Beach was nude cavorting. I guess that does not happen near as much.