Just a Mound of Sand

[STL Don]

I thought you might be interested in this information posted in a Beachside Villas condo owners website concerning a proposed 26 unit condo development near Eastern Lake. Do you think that developers really just consider the dunes to be a mound of sand?

"There is a primary sand dune on the north end of the property (see attached photos), which is approximately 15-20 feet high tapering down to 10 feet, and running 250-300 feet parallel to the Gulf. This is a classic example of the majestic dune system that makes Walton County ?special?, while also affording significant natural protection to homeowners. Primary dunes are rightfully protected in the Walton County Comprehensive Plan,(........2. For development in areas characterized by coastal uplands vegetative communities (dune vegetation) within the CCCL or CPZ, 95 percent of the
dune vegetation on the site must be retain with certain development and vegetation restrictions.)
Despite a letter to the homeowner to the north from the former head of Walton County Planning, dated 06/03/2004, stating that ?this is a primary dune, and that the property therefore would only support a single family residence,? Angelos has instead indicated to the county that this is just a ?mound of sand?, which they need to level for the project".

 

[Beach Runner]

I feel your pain. My husband has been on the phone all afternoon trying to get information on how to fight a developer who is trying to change zoning from single family to condo. I will be really pissed if they put a 26-unit condo down where you live. Let me know how we can help. Between my sister and me, we own four SINGLE FAMILY properties in the Eastern Lake Road area, and we do not want it to turn into condo land.

I think those of us who LOVE 30-A need to become activists. Heck, many of us are baby boomers who protested the war in the late 60's and early 70's. We know how to protest! However, I don't blame the developers. If the county shuts its eyes and lets them rezone from single family to high density, why wouldn't they if they don't give a damn about the area since they're totally in it for money, not love?

 

[Mermaid]

I think those of us who LOVE 30-A need to become activists. Heck, many of us are baby boomers who protested the war in the late 60's and early 70's. We know how to protest! However, I don't blame the developers. If the county shuts its eyes and lets them rezone from single family to high density, why wouldn't they if they don't give a damn about the area since they're totally in it for money, not love?

I don't exactly agree with you about not blaming the developers--just because they can do something doesn't mean they ought to do something. They know about ethical land use the same as everyone else. Saying that a sand dune is a bothersome lump of sand is an example of them not being ethical. They're trying to pull a fast one, hoping that they can fiddle on as Rome burns, as it were.

It's up to us to be vigilant about making our displeasure heard. As you say, we need to be activists. I've written letters; Merman has written letters, and I've asked my friends to write them as well. And I'll write as many as needed. I think it's well worth the effort. I'm not against progress--not at all--but given our weather, building in an environmentally sound way is paramount or we'll all be paying for it later, long after the developers have left. There's also the very important factor that if growth isn't controlled, the very charm that caused us to buy and visit along 30-A (rather than Destin or PCB) will be destroyed. Over-development is nothing more than killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

So leave our sand dunes alone!

 

[Beach Runner]

I don't exactly agree with you about not blaming the developers--just because they can do something doesn't mean they ought to do something.

You're right!