St. Joe Big Box development comes to SoWal

[passin thru]

And the night sky -- how can the leadership/TDC not see that the dark sky with the Milky Way visible is one of our great assets as a destination?

The dark sky USED TO be a great asset here.

But every time a Tom Thumb gets reworked, with another 1 billion candlepower of mercury vapor lights blazing into the night sky, every time another beachwear shop in Miramar is allowed to shine about 2 billion candlepower of vapor lamps onto the exterior of their buildings -- and nobody does or says anything about it -- a little more of the night sky goes away.

 

[NotDeadYet]

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 don't have a map of the State Forest handy, but that might be one of the out parcels the State will sell. The original plan for the checkerboard forest in that area was an acquisition and disposal plan that would have consolidated the forest and sold off the isolated parcels that are difficult to manage. But mostly the acquisition part of the plan didn't happen. Land got too valuable or was developed before the plan could be implemented. There are a few parcels of State land for sale, or there were last time I checked. If it's for sale and Joe wants it, they would have to buy it.

 

[wrobert]

St Joe has unveiled it's conceptual PUD master plan for 183.5 acres on hwy 98, beginning at the intersection of 30-A and continuing west past W. Hewett Rd. Get this... the plan not only includes a massive 80,000 sq. ft. big box, but 5 more in the range of 25,000 to 45,000 sq. ft. Here's the basic breakdown:
Phase one- 80,000 sq. ft. BIG BOX store.
Phase two- directly behind the big box, 4 apartment bldgs for seniors, 190 units and a 110 unit assisted living facility.
Phase three- TWO 25,000 sq. ft. retail bldgs. with a 10' setback on W. Hewett Rd. A 5,400 sq. ft. gas station and a 6,000 sq. ft. restaurant.
Phase four- A 45,000 sq. ft. retail with an additional 12,900 sq. ft. attached. A 5,000 sq. ft. office bldg., 2 restaurants @ 6000 or so sq. ft. each and a 13,225 sq. ft. pharmacy.
Phase five- Another 3 big retail stores @ 35,000, 28,000 and 11,836 sq. ft. plus a bank and another restaurant @ 6000 sq. ft.
Phase six- 10 apartment bldgs. with 310 units.

Now as I sit on my deck at night, instead of dark skys and stars I'll see 4 story apartment bldgs and the loading docks for big box stores. Increased traffic, noise and pollution, along with decreased property value in the immediate area, is how we will benefit. I completely understand and agree that St Joe has the right to develop their property however they also have a responsibility to the residents of this community, to exercise restraint. My neighbor will be within 20 feet of this project.

This matter is set to go before the county commisioners on August 25th.

After 20 years of living in this great area, I never dreamed we would allow Santa Rosa Beach to become Panama City or Destin.

YEAAAAAAAA!!!! Finally a place to shop in Walton County and leave my sales tax dollars.

 

[wrobert]

How is/was this parcel zoned?

This is precisely why we need transect-based planning. There should be a soft, staged transition between residential and large scale commercial.

And the night sky -- how can the leadership/TDC not see that the dark sky with the Milky Way visible is one of our great assets as a destination?

You of all people should know we have no zoning in Walton County. So can we look for the Democrats to be against growth even though they have said nothing about the commissioners providing themselves free family health care, layoffs of government workers, pay cuts, and turtle deaths?

 

[wrobert]

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!

The WalMart in Destin looks cool. All blocky and sterile looking. Really neat.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I don't have a map of the State Forest handy, but that might be one of the out parcels the State will sell. The original plan for the checkerboard forest in that area was an acquisition and disposal plan that would have consolidated the forest and sold off the isolated parcels that are difficult to manage. But mostly the acquisition part of the plan didn't happen. Land got too valuable or was developed before the plan could be implemented. There are a few parcels of State land for sale, or there were last time I checked. If it's for sale and Joe wants it, they would have to buy it.

I believe that State property I mention above is part of Topsail, but is separated by hwy 98. I am familiar with the State's "surplus property" and you are likely correct about it being one of the parcels they wanted to sell off. However, given JOE's history with the State, I wouldn't expect JOE to actually have to pay cash to obtain this property, especially if JOE owns property they are willing to trade, which is directly adjacent to other state park property, which would be easier to manage for the state park.

 

[jlweathers]

It has been proven time and time again that big box stores hurt local economies.

How so? Sales taxes which are now being sent to Okaloosa or Bay Counties will now stay in SRB. The improvement of the vacant land will generate additional RE taxes to the benefit of the county. Also seems like this will create more jobs; perhaps lower paying jobs but jobs & new consumers nonetheless.

They pay lower wages and send profits out of state.

lower labor costs = lower prices; which i like b/c then i can spend my savings at other local places. & the profits can easily come back to the state & your pocket via dividends.

The incresed need for municipal services almost cancels the tax benefit in the long run, not to mention what this will do for our local small retailers who have worked their butt off surviving our fickle economy.

Huh? & the latter is referred to as Darwinism or creative destruction. if you want to support local retailers please feel free to do so; but i'm going for best value

 

[Jdarg]

Can you say Environmental Impact Statement? Such a large parcel must have some mitigation needs...

jr

 

[soappedaler]

The property north of 98 is not a part of Topsail. There's a parcel in that area that was designated Conservation Easement in the Settlement agreement between St. Joe and the State. From what I remember . St. Joe owns the property but it is held in a Conservation Easment, they can't do anything with it. The County maps had the property mislabeled for a while, not sure if it's been corrected.

 

[Beach Runner]

Is August 25th the date for the BCC meeting? I want to be there. I'll have to find a place to stay. Our house is rented.