St. Joe Big Box development comes to SoWal

[SHELLY]

This is interesting. I would not have dreamed that they would be launching this right now, between the general economy and their own financials.

This is EXACTLY the right time for them to launch this thing. They know they can get away with it because they'll tout "It's good for the economy...Florida has the highest unemployment rate since 19XX...it will serve the community" and other such tripe. Developers use down economies so they can fly their future money-making (but bad for the environment/neighborhood) deals under the radar. JOE is essentially paying big bucks to their execs to sit around twiddling their thumbs waiting for the market to bottom--might as well get them off their collective arses and throw Sh** against the wall and see what sticks.

.

 

[Neocrete]

This is EXACTLY the right time for them to launch this thing. They know they can get away with it because they'll tout "It's good for the economy...Florida has the highest unemployment rate since 19XX...it will serve the community" and other such tripe. Developers use down economies so they can fly their future money-making (but bad for the environment/neighborhood) deals under the radar. JOE is essentially paying big bucks to their execs to sit around twiddling their thumbs waiting for the market to bottom--might as well get them off their collective arses and throw Sh** against the wall and see what sticks.

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Shelly Thanks for making me laugh.

 

[maxman]

Placing Lowe's there is by far the worst. Their reasoning might be that SoWalers don't want to travel to HomeDepot. ??? Some restaurants ,some retail maybe. But to over do it seems to be the norm.

 

[Desso]

I had a developer tell me before The Emerald Coast Pkwy. was opened and Hwy. 98 to PC was four-laned, that in 15 to 20 years most of the land close to the road between Destin and PC would be developed. I thought he was crazy. We are well on our way. I am afraid I would vote for a Chick-fil-A though. Resistance is futile- The Borg.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I missed the connection with Lowe's since it seems from the earlier post that Lowe's building need much more sq ft, than is being submitted in the first post.

I agree that Transect Planning is desperately needed. I will also add that one who buys a home next to a large parcel, should be at least a little concerned of what that neighboring property could become in the future, even if it's current land use is agricultural. Look at all the rural agricultural property along hwy 20, east of Freeport, which will one day (maybe 25 years down the road) has great potential to be industrial, commerical, or residential, as the West Bay sector around the new PCB airport comes to life.

Always ask questions. Worse than the light pollution, well, maybe just as bad, will be traffic lights every 1/8 of a mile down hwy 98 in SoWal.

 

[Desso]

Neocrete, I doubt they pay lower wages than what already exist in this area. Check census income levels for single male, single female, and families in "Paradise" and you will be appalled. My company did two feasibility studies for foreign corporations who wanted to set up shop in this area. Walton rates high in low wages and available workforce. Low in affordable housing and infrastructure (public transport, educational opportunities, etc). The money doesn't live here, it visits.

 

[beachmouse]

There's a huge push right now to rezone for anything that a developer might do in the next 15-20 years because the big players are terrified that the Hometown Democracy Amendment is going to pass, and that could significantly restrict the developer's ability to rezone large parcel of land.

So a lot of projects are trying to get approvals through in the next six months, even when the timeline for building and build outs is relatively far out there in the future.

 

[Dia]

I had a developer tell me before The Emerald Coast Pkwy. was opened and Hwy. 98 to PC was four-laned, that in 15 to 20 years most of the land close to the road between Destin and PC would be developed. I thought he was crazy. We are well on our way. I am afraid I would vote for a Chick-fil-A though. Resistance is futile- The Borg.

I'd vote for a CostCo.

 

[Smiling JOe]

just peeked at the land use code for this property and it appears to be "Town Center."

I also notice that the State Park owns the 30acre parcel, also zoned "Town Center" just to the west of this property, on hwy 98, directly west of Goldsby Rd all the way to Mack Bayou Rd. I wonder if we are getting ready to see a switch of some property between JOE and the State Park.

I repeat, with single family homes backing up to this parcel, we desparately need Transect Zoning. It would be beneficial for all, including developers.

Attached, you will see a map of the subject property. Though the wetland overlay on the County Maps is an estimated area of wetlands, it seems that most of this JOE property appears to be wetlands. On the map, the yellow is the subject property, and the wetlands show as light blue with a diagonal stripe.

 

[ForestBayGal]

Unfortunately, neither Walton or Okaloosa co's have exhibited the foresight to demand certain buffer enhancements/aesthetic requirements of big box establisments as do many other states & communities. For example, the Walmart in Destin brings in oodles$ but has next to zero landscaping, no visual buffer for the delivery areas, does not appear to even pick up trash at the median entering the side road etc.. However, Apple Valley MN expected, demanded & received from Walmart a brick facade, a complete rear delivery area with nicely landscaped berms which obstruct the nasty view of 18 wheelers delivering & all the stuff which sits about (as in Destin), trees thru out the parking lots etc. i.e. expect, demand, & only with written guarantees of performance & subsequent continuing upkeep give approval for them to benefit from us! It is backward here-they promise a few low paying jobs & everyone bends over backward so they can throw up a mess while laughing all the way to the bank. Our County Planning Dept & BCC need to realize that they would not be choosing us if they did not feel they could make a nice return on their investment. Hold their feet to the fire for a develop. order. Perhaps we can obtain some photos of examples of how big boxes are expected to perform elsewhere & bring those to the planning commission/bcc. PS Costco would be nice -if dressed up!