BeachSteelers
Beach Fanatic
Maybe rename the developement NatureShuttle.
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Nature Walk Beach Club & Retail Developement NOT yet approved! THere is still time!!
- Thread starter KATO
- Start date
AAbsolute
Banned
Where's the Sowal'r who started this thread?
Best I can see KATO hasn't been concerned with anything in Sowal since this issue. I don't remember seeing much opposition to the Watersound Beach Club that has no membership limits that I know of and serves 5 times as many potential member opportunities as of today.
Serious question: Was this about public policy of potential overcrowding of Walton County beaches or was this specific to only this project?
Best I can see KATO hasn't been concerned with anything in Sowal since this issue. I don't remember seeing much opposition to the Watersound Beach Club that has no membership limits that I know of and serves 5 times as many potential member opportunities as of today.
Serious question: Was this about public policy of potential overcrowding of Walton County beaches or was this specific to only this project?
Matt J
SWGB
For one it's a non-issue as Nature Walk is now on the list of abandoned but not forgotten.
Secondly the WaterSound Beach Club was not smack dab in the middle of one of the most congested areas of 30A. I would assume that this person lived or owned property very close to this proposed beach club and was freaking out about having to share a beach with 2500+ people. I've been on the beach in that area and I can't imagine how horrible that would be. Saying it would be like SanDestin is an understatement. Just the trash left by that many people would be disgusting.
Although I am speaking of my own opinion and not that of the OP.
Secondly the WaterSound Beach Club was not smack dab in the middle of one of the most congested areas of 30A. I would assume that this person lived or owned property very close to this proposed beach club and was freaking out about having to share a beach with 2500+ people. I've been on the beach in that area and I can't imagine how horrible that would be. Saying it would be like SanDestin is an understatement. Just the trash left by that many people would be disgusting.
Although I am speaking of my own opinion and not that of the OP.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
My opposition was because they were trying to break the Walton County Land-use Code (LUC) with this development. Also, because they were trying to dump 600 + guests and owners into an otherwise low density residential neighborhood. Seagrove Motel property is zoned for only four homes, but the current use is only a non-conforming use. According to LUC, if the improved structures on the property are destroyed by more than 50% in value, for whatever reason, and by whatever means, natural or man-made, the use will revert back to the orginal use of one single family home per lot of record (there are only four lots on that property). The developer's plans appear that they would destroy all of the buildings, and then rebuild, thereby not being able to have the non-conforming use of multi-family/commercial, according to WalCo LUC.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
I think the TDC has some guidelines on acquiring public accesses, but not "policy." Eventually, we will need more parking at these regional accesses, but that discussion should probably be started on a new thread.
beachmouse
Beach Fanatic
One thing I've noticed is that a lot of people seem to totally forget about the state parks along or close to 30-A. Yes, they're pay beaches, but if you go there a lot, the annual pass is useable statewide and a very good value, IMO. Topsail Hill is huge, and I don't think I've ever seen more than about ten vehicles in the west parking lot off of 98. Same goes for Deer Lake, which is reportedly a bit more, um, family-friendly, since St. Joe started to develop the area east of there that used to be the nude beach. Have only been to Camp Helen once or twice, but it seems similarly underutilized.
scooterbug44
SoWal Expert
Is there anyone who has actually had trouble* finding a way to access the beach? 
I know that a couple of the larger/more utilized accesses sometimes have folks parking along the road on peak days, but in general I've never heard of an actual problem.
*Trouble does not include having to walk several hundred feet OR issues because you used a private access or non-public parking space to access the beach.
I know that a couple of the larger/more utilized accesses sometimes have folks parking along the road on peak days, but in general I've never heard of an actual problem.
*Trouble does not include having to walk several hundred feet OR issues because you used a private access or non-public parking space to access the beach.
AAbsolute
Banned
The opposition to this particular DO seems to smack of hipocrisy. I'm not looking for an argument, but probably diserve it if I get one on this. I know hypocrisy comes across as a bad word. I don't know the Developer of the parcel except that I think his firm hosted Mayor Giuliani at the function we attended.
Does anyone responding to this thread know how many folks from Draper Lake or Forrest Lakes or Seacrest Beach or Watersound North or Watercolor Phase IV or Treetps etc, etc. etc. have deeded access to the Beach and use only small access easements or outparcels.