High rise condos coming to SoWal

[Camp Creek Kid]

It won't happen. The County Commissioners aren't idiots. 30-A will always be protected because our beauty comes from the fact that we don't have high rises. What MAY happen is more high rises in Mirimar Beach where they already exist. Perhaps that is what you are referring to. The last high rise in S. Walton to be approved has not yet been built, but it will be in Seascape.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I believe the limit is 4 stories. There are also density limits, no more than 4 units per acre if both city water and sewer are available. Right now where I am, we have water but are on septic, so the density is only 3/acre, but Freeport will be bringing sewer to the north end of the bridge within 2 years. I think that any high-rise thoughts for the north side of the bay would be way off in the future.

There are many people in local gov't who are postioned to make a killing if the height restrictions are lifted. Current building heights in north walton are 50' or 4 stories, which ever comes first.

Chris V is is partly accurate. Density in Freeport varies. Inside the city limits, R3 zoning allows densities up to 8 units per acre. R1 Zoning is max of 4 units per acre. However, some commercial zoning allows 16 units per acre for townhomes. Typically, when County water and septic are at the property, the greatest density is supposed to be 1 unit per 1/2 acre, not 3 units per acre. However, variances occur often due to lack of gov't control and regulation.

If you look at Blue Water Bay in Niceville, it is easy to see the same or greater potential for major development in the way of condos on the north side of the Bay. I know the Chairperson on the Planning Committee, and a couple of County Commissioners, whose names I will not mention, would love to see the major changes.

Freeport is poised to become a major town over the next 8-10 years, and we will see condos popping up. They may not be high rises, but they will be built.

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

Also, high rises are starting to be planned for the ghetto. Not Panama City Beach, but Panama City itself. There is a development order for a project in Panama City just as you get to the other side of Hathaway Bridge. It is where the old Toyota dealership is. I can't figure out the attraction--it is waterfront, but you're right next to the pier and all the industrial shipping. You've got a very busy road on the other side and not much of natural beauty anywhere. However, it is going through. Whatever.

High rises are a big topic in Panama City. There is quite a bit of redevelopment potential on the Bay in Bay County.

 

[Sally]

Unfortunatley these days, he with the most money to pay soulless lawyers wins. I wouldn't be surprised to see the county get sued over height limits if they get pressed. And we all know that the county likes to bend over. Maybe Seaside, Rosemary, and such would fight to keep the limits because they;ve already sold their land. But St. Joe and others might like to build high rises.

 

[RiverOtter]

Unfortunatley these days, he with the most money to pay soulless lawyers wins. I wouldn't be surprised to see the county get sued over height limits if they get pressed. And we all know that the county likes to bend over. Maybe Seaside, Rosemary, and such would fight to keep the limits because they;ve already sold their land. But St. Joe and others might like to build high rises.

Golden Rule <= He who has the gold makes the rules =>

 

[beachmouse]

I want to say Bluewater proper maxed out at about 4 stories over by the marina, and single family is something like 80% of the housing stock there. Then they let that apartment building go in by White-Wilson that was like 5-6 stories, and North Bay Fire got stuck buying a new ladder truck to handle the extra height. I just love my property taxes going toward someone else's new development. Grumble. I think overall the density in BWB is something like 2-3 housing units per acre if you go by the all land within Herden's original purchase boundaries including the golf course, wetlands, and rec areas.

But then Bluewater was largely developed during a time when people wouldn't put up with the 50x90 foot lots that are so common here today.

 

[Kurt]

I want to say Bluewater proper maxed out at about 4 stories over by the marina, and single family is something like 80% of the housing stock there. Then they let that apartment building go in by White-Wilson that was like 5-6 stories, and North Bay Fire got stuck buying a new ladder truck to handle the extra height. I just love my property taxes going toward someone else's new development. Grumble. I think overall the density in BWB is something like 2-3 housing units per acre if you go by the all land within Herden's original purchase boundaries including the golf course, wetlands, and rec areas.

But then Bluewater was largely developed during a time when people wouldn't put up with the 50x90 foot lots that are so common here today.

Isn't Blue Water Bay and Ft. Walton, and some other areas limited in height because of Eglin AFB?

 

[Smiling JOe]

Maybe Seaside, Rosemary, and such would fight to keep the limits because they;ve already sold their land.

Rosemary Beach received a variance in Feb '05 regarding height limitations, allowing them to exceed the height limitations and build "Clock Tower" attached to a residential building. They stated that the clock tower was for the benefit of the "public."

 

[Smiling JOe]

Isn't Blue Water Bay and Ft. Walton, and some other areas limited in height because of Eglin AFB?

Eglin controls much of what happens regarding heights of buildings. If you look at a map, you will see that Eglin owns most property in this area, north of Hwy 20 and West of Hwy 331, all the way to DeFuniak Springs. Another consideration by local Freeport Govt is that they do not have the means to fight fires greater than 4 stories. I don't know that building height in Freeport will play a major role in the next few years. There is plenty of land to develop into low rise condos around the water. Currently, sewer and water are standing in the way, but those two items will quickly be checked off the list.

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

The clock tower at Rosemary will be on a commerical building, not a residential building.