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Bluewater Landing - DR Horton project on 30A at Draper Lake
- Thread starter South Walton Community Council
- Start date
Jim Tucker
Beach Fanatic
Community Coalition Helps Send DR Horton Project Back to the Drawing Board
A coalition of neighbors, businesses, and environmentalists today announced that their work to stop a proposed development by mega-developer DR Horton to pack up to 1,000 people in 138 units on a small parcel on Scenic 30A has resulted in the developer going back to the drawing board. According to the Walton County Planning Department, DR Horton has withdrawn its application for 138 units on 30A which was set to go before the Planning Commission in October.
“We know that the collective efforts of people from across our community are making a difference,” said Peter Hansen, a neighbor, 30A campaign supporter, and environmentalist. “We also know that while DR Horton has stopped its plans for 138 units on this parcel along 30A and near Draper Lake, we understand they are likely to come back with a proposal for tightly packed single-family homes while still seeking numerous exceptions to the current land development rules. If this is the case, we will again ensure Walton County residents and elected leaders know and understand the potential impact on the environment, the protected scrub oaks, keystone species, and our pristine dune lake.”
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to people from across the county and beyond who are taking a stance on this project and helped distribute yard signs, send emails to the Technical Review Committee and the Planning Commission, and raise awareness of DR Horton’s poor environmental track record,” said Leah Dubberly, a neighbor, and 30A Coalition member. “We stand ready to resume the campaign to protect the environment and follow existing rules unless DR Horton chooses to simply look elsewhere to develop.”
The coalition has created an informative website – Save30A.org – that explains the project initially proposed and its wide-ranging impact on the community. More than 135 road signs have been installed alerting the community to the issue and over 100 emails were received by the TRC and the Planning Commission from concerned citizens protesting the project.
“At a time when people seem to be so apart on many issues, we found that neighbors, businesses, and environmentalists from across the community quickly joined forces to protect 30A and Draper Lake. We ask everyone to stay up to date as we see where DR Horton goes from here,” said Matthew Kaufler, a neighbor, and 30A Coalition member.
For more information, visit Save30A.org.
A coalition of neighbors, businesses, and environmentalists today announced that their work to stop a proposed development by mega-developer DR Horton to pack up to 1,000 people in 138 units on a small parcel on Scenic 30A has resulted in the developer going back to the drawing board. According to the Walton County Planning Department, DR Horton has withdrawn its application for 138 units on 30A which was set to go before the Planning Commission in October.
“We know that the collective efforts of people from across our community are making a difference,” said Peter Hansen, a neighbor, 30A campaign supporter, and environmentalist. “We also know that while DR Horton has stopped its plans for 138 units on this parcel along 30A and near Draper Lake, we understand they are likely to come back with a proposal for tightly packed single-family homes while still seeking numerous exceptions to the current land development rules. If this is the case, we will again ensure Walton County residents and elected leaders know and understand the potential impact on the environment, the protected scrub oaks, keystone species, and our pristine dune lake.”
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to people from across the county and beyond who are taking a stance on this project and helped distribute yard signs, send emails to the Technical Review Committee and the Planning Commission, and raise awareness of DR Horton’s poor environmental track record,” said Leah Dubberly, a neighbor, and 30A Coalition member. “We stand ready to resume the campaign to protect the environment and follow existing rules unless DR Horton chooses to simply look elsewhere to develop.”
The coalition has created an informative website – Save30A.org – that explains the project initially proposed and its wide-ranging impact on the community. More than 135 road signs have been installed alerting the community to the issue and over 100 emails were received by the TRC and the Planning Commission from concerned citizens protesting the project.
“At a time when people seem to be so apart on many issues, we found that neighbors, businesses, and environmentalists from across the community quickly joined forces to protect 30A and Draper Lake. We ask everyone to stay up to date as we see where DR Horton goes from here,” said Matthew Kaufler, a neighbor, and 30A Coalition member.
For more information, visit Save30A.org.
South Walton Community Council
Community Organization
Draper Lake Development:
DR Horton Submits New Plan for 70 Single-Family Homes
The proposed new development would be called 'Blue Water Landing'
DR Horton has submitted their conceptual plan for 70 single-family homes on 10 acres in the same parcel as they previously had planned to build 46 triplexes on (138 residential units).
The site area is 35.19 acres. It should be noted that total scrub area is 11.82 acres BUT only 3.13 acres will remain. This is a scrub impact of 8.69 acres. That means 73.52% of the scrub area on a rare coastal dune lake will be removed. This cannot happen!
Deviations from the Walton County Land Development Code are numerous, involving rear and side setbacks to the residential and commercial components. The Commercial development is not configured on the entire site yet the residential area is. Parking for the Commercial area is reduced, adding congestion and possible parking problems on 30A.
This new development, named Blue Water Landing, will encourage 700-1,000 short term renters access to Draper Lake over protected wetlands.
South Walton Community Council opposes DR Horton’s application for the Draper Lake Development and strongly urges Walton County not to make any concessions or consider any variances to the applicable Development Code and/or Comp Plan in reviewing and/or considering this project.
This new project will go before the Technical Review Committee in early November. Please send any comments or concerns to Stephen Schoen via schstephen@co.walton.fl.us.
DR Horton Submits New Plan for 70 Single-Family Homes
The proposed new development would be called 'Blue Water Landing'
DR Horton has submitted their conceptual plan for 70 single-family homes on 10 acres in the same parcel as they previously had planned to build 46 triplexes on (138 residential units).
The site area is 35.19 acres. It should be noted that total scrub area is 11.82 acres BUT only 3.13 acres will remain. This is a scrub impact of 8.69 acres. That means 73.52% of the scrub area on a rare coastal dune lake will be removed. This cannot happen!
Deviations from the Walton County Land Development Code are numerous, involving rear and side setbacks to the residential and commercial components. The Commercial development is not configured on the entire site yet the residential area is. Parking for the Commercial area is reduced, adding congestion and possible parking problems on 30A.
This new development, named Blue Water Landing, will encourage 700-1,000 short term renters access to Draper Lake over protected wetlands.
South Walton Community Council opposes DR Horton’s application for the Draper Lake Development and strongly urges Walton County not to make any concessions or consider any variances to the applicable Development Code and/or Comp Plan in reviewing and/or considering this project.
This new project will go before the Technical Review Committee in early November. Please send any comments or concerns to Stephen Schoen via schstephen@co.walton.fl.us.
South Walton Community Council
Community Organization
Bluewater Landing Project:
Technical Review Committee
Mar 3 8:30am
Bluewater Landing is the latest iteration of the development project on the land parcel that started out being called the Draper Lake PUD.
The latest proposal by DR Horton involves a plan for 31 single-family homes. The 1.77 commercial tract will be sold to another developer.
While SWCC is generally onboard with this version of the project and recognize it represents a huge improvement over the initial starting point over a year ago, we encourage your participation in this zoom meeting with emphasis on these points:
Below are details on this item as seen in the meeting Agenda at item #15.
--------------------------------
15. Bluewater Landing (AKA Draper Lake) - Request to approve by final order. Project number MAJ21-000006 is being reviewed by Stephen Schoen. This is a major development order application submitted by Innerlight Engineering Corp on behalf of D R Horton, Inc. requesting to construct 31 single family homes and associated infrastructure on 35.19 +/- acres with a future land use of Mixed Use and a zoning district of Small Neighborhood. The property is located approximately 0.6 miles west from the intersection of County Rd 83 and County Hwy 30A on the north side of Retreat Dr. in District 5 and is identified by parcel number(s) 01-3S-20-34000-008-0000.
--------------------------------
Link to the Walton County website for full agenda and meeting details:
Walton County - Meeting Information
Details for participating in the meeting:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
Telephone:
US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 851 7890 8782
Bluewater Landing Site Plan (PDF) -
https://files.constantcontact.com/e53dcaff701/dade60c0-21ea-4b10-8af5-9b9d2a2bf277.pdf
Bluewater Landing Conservation Easement (PDF) -
https://files.constantcontact.com/e53dcaff701/ac8868a1-405a-4e05-8d3b-8af87cb85ee2.pdf
Technical Review Committee
Mar 3 8:30am
Bluewater Landing is the latest iteration of the development project on the land parcel that started out being called the Draper Lake PUD.
The latest proposal by DR Horton involves a plan for 31 single-family homes. The 1.77 commercial tract will be sold to another developer.
While SWCC is generally onboard with this version of the project and recognize it represents a huge improvement over the initial starting point over a year ago, we encourage your participation in this zoom meeting with emphasis on these points:
- Limit any noise related disturbance like outdoor music, wedding venues, or HUB-type activities on the Commercial Property
- Support the creation of the Conservation Easement limiting access and damage to the wetlands and maintain it is part of the negotiations
- Maintain support of the proposed 31 single family homes
- Expectation that the storm water management and landscape design will be addressed in this TRC meeting
Below are details on this item as seen in the meeting Agenda at item #15.
--------------------------------
15. Bluewater Landing (AKA Draper Lake) - Request to approve by final order. Project number MAJ21-000006 is being reviewed by Stephen Schoen. This is a major development order application submitted by Innerlight Engineering Corp on behalf of D R Horton, Inc. requesting to construct 31 single family homes and associated infrastructure on 35.19 +/- acres with a future land use of Mixed Use and a zoning district of Small Neighborhood. The property is located approximately 0.6 miles west from the intersection of County Rd 83 and County Hwy 30A on the north side of Retreat Dr. in District 5 and is identified by parcel number(s) 01-3S-20-34000-008-0000.
--------------------------------
Link to the Walton County website for full agenda and meeting details:
Walton County - Meeting Information
Details for participating in the meeting:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
Telephone:
US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 851 7890 8782
Bluewater Landing Site Plan (PDF) -
https://files.constantcontact.com/e53dcaff701/dade60c0-21ea-4b10-8af5-9b9d2a2bf277.pdf
Bluewater Landing Conservation Easement (PDF) -
https://files.constantcontact.com/e53dcaff701/ac8868a1-405a-4e05-8d3b-8af87cb85ee2.pdf
Matt J
SWGB
Sure, they can go to the end of 83 or the end of Gulf View Heights. It's the one at 83 you piss on and claim right?
There are quite a few public accesses in Blue Mountain Beach to the east and Santa Rosa Beach to the west.
However it is important to know for potential buyers that they do not have direct beach access and the situation is going to be quite messy as it is in places like say, Prominence, which is landlocked by WaterSound Beach.
It is a travesty that builders like DR Horton clear cut properties completely before building. They did not even leave a vegetative buffer as required. Instead they destroy nearly every single piece of precious native vegetation, destroy habitats completely, and then put in a few non-native cheap palm tress and shrubs as required by code.
Walton County, of all the counties in America, should have extremely strict controls on destruction of native landscape and habitat. There are small southern towns and cities that even do a better job of protecting their resources.
Matt J
SWGB
I understand and agree with what you are saying, but I also have to point out that said parcel has been consistently for sale for almost two decades.
Ultimately I have a bad feeling that this development will end up similar to Cypress Dunes. Meaning frustrated owners who were manipulated into believing beach access was possible through a protected area will take matters into their own hands.