PLANS UNVEILED FOR HISTORIC SANTA ROSA LANDING,
A PARK TO UNITE THE PAST AND FUTURE IN SOUTH WALTON
Proposed public boat park to offer a lasting legacy for future generations
Plans for a proposed public park called Historic Santa Rosa Landing were recently announced by Waterside Investors, LLC, to create a park and boat access to Hogtown Bayou that leads to the Choctawhatchee Bay at the site of the Old Town Santa Rosa at the end of 13th Street in Santa Rosa Beach. Local residents are encouraged to contact the Walton County Board of County Commissioners to voice their support for the park.
In addition to the boat ramp, park amenities include: public recreation opportunities including copious nature paths, a fishing pier, boardwalk and dock, a lodge building for use by the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and other community groups; a fenced-in playground, play structures resembling historic boats, a treehouse, a community garden and 24-hour security surveillance, as well as boat trailer and general parking. The Walton County Sheriff’s Department would have a vessel docked at the site to allow the department to quickly and better serve the public. A separate private boat storage area will also provide covered boat storage, a service not currently available in South Walton.
Once approved, the approximately six-acre bayfront park would be dedicated to the Board of County Commissioners with a small boat storage facility operated by Waterside Investors, LLC. Funds from the boat storage unit will be used to help maintain the park and provide security services. The proposed lodge building on the park grounds will include exhibits and historical information about the Old Town Santa Rosa. Markers along the nature trails will point out native plants and species as well as historical facts and sites.
“This is a unique opportunity to create a lasting legacy for generations to come,” said Chick Huettel, local historian and newspaper columnist. “The chance to share the early history of this special place and preserve the land for a public park is something residents and visitors will be excited about and something we should all act upon right now.”
Because lots on the property were platted in 1905 the county recognizes them as lots of record, allowing a single-family dwelling on each of the 43 lots. The public is encouraged to contact the Walton County Board of County Commissioners to encourage their support of acquiring this land for a public park and therefore preventing the land from being developed for housing. Special consideration and protection of the wetlands on the property is being made in the park plans.
“South Walton has many crown jewels and the Choctawhatchee Bay is one of them,” said Dave Rauschkolb, longtime resident, business owner and community activist in South Walton. “The boat park at Historic Santa Rosa Landing would create a family-friendly place to enjoy the natural beauty of the bay, something much-needed in South Walton.”
More information about Historic Santa Rosa Landing is available at www.historicsantarosalanding.com, including a rendering of the proposed park plan. Residents can also visit the site to contact their local county commissioner to support the creation of Historic Santa Rosa Landing, a park for everyone.
Replies
25
Beach Fanatic
So what is the asking price for the parcels that Waterside Investors wants to sell to the county?
Beach Fanatic
And why is another boat launch and park needed when we have Cessena Landing off 393 and the new boat launch and park at the 331 bridge ?
Beach Fanatic
Something seems odd with this to me. There is already a boat ramp / dock, fishing pier, restrooms, playground, picnic tables, ect about 1,000 feet away from this proposed site. Who would I talk to about this project?
Beach Fanatic
Something seems odd with this to me. There is already a boat ramp / dock, fishing pier, restrooms, playground, picnic tables, ect about 1,000 feet away from this proposed site. Who would I talk to about this project?Planning and Development Services | Walton County, FL - Home Page
and your county commish.
Commissioners | Walton County, FL - Home Page
Beach Fanatic
Anything we can get that can help document places / pictures of Old Santa Rosa is beneficial, as even I get confused as to where things were. However, I don't see a need for the boat ramp and storage, except to generate funds to maintain the park.
I do think the county should buy the site if they can - keep the historical area of Santa Rosa public for all to enjoy.
I do think the county should buy the site if they can - keep the historical area of Santa Rosa public for all to enjoy.
Beach Lover
Anybody hear anymore about this?
Beach Fanatic
They are seeking a change from Conservation Residential 2:1 to Parks and Recreation on the 9+-acre property: Walton County Board of County Commissioners - File #: 19-0457
Beach Lover
Ok, thank you.
Beach Fanatic
#101
On the agenda for the May 14 Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting, the applicants are requesting for the BCC to schedule a workshop for the proposed park on June 10 and put on the June 10 BCC meeting agenda consideration of directing staff to work with the applicant through the amendment, development, and grant application process. Info on the proposal is attached.
Beach Fanatic
So the current property owner wants to give the land to the county for "Free" - All they want in return is a boat storage facility AKA Marina
This contribution by the developer is based on the proposed boat storage facility that will pay for park upkeep and maintenance as well as provide for a 24-hour attendant onsite for park safety.
This contribution by the developer is based on the proposed boat storage facility that will pay for park upkeep and maintenance as well as provide for a 24-hour attendant onsite for park safety.
Beach Lover
So the current property owner wants to give the land to the county for "Free" - All they want in return is a boat storage facility AKA Marinaa way to try and get a commercial project that otherwise wouldn't be approved?
This contribution by the developer is based on the proposed boat storage facility that will pay for park upkeep and maintenance as well as provide for a 24-hour attendant onsite for park safety.
Beach Fanatic
Board of County Commissioners Meeting Agenda
Date: Tuesday, May 26,2020
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Defuniak Springs
25. ASF-029-Pdf Gary Shipman - Historic Santa Rosa Beach Landing Consider receiving donation of real property for use as a public park, subject to conditions stated in Contract
9. Project: The conceptual project commonly known as Historic Santa Rosa Landing, andmodifications thereto, that may include some or all of the Improvements as depicted on Exhibit 2 attached to and incorporated into this Contract. The Parties agree that part of the incentive for each of them to enter this Contract is to accommodate the future development of the Real Property according to the conceptual Project.
12. Approval of Land Use. Within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Effective Date, County shall consider a change to the land use and zoning designation of the Waterside Parcel to Parks and Recreation. This change of land use and zoning designation, along with approval of any Ancillary Commercial Use(s) as conditional uses, is a condition precedent to the Fee Simple Conveyance. County is permanently prohibited from revoking the land use designation of Parks and Recreation without consent of Waterside. Furthermore, this provision shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated in this Contract.
Date: Tuesday, May 26,2020
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Defuniak Springs
25. ASF-029-Pdf Gary Shipman - Historic Santa Rosa Beach Landing Consider receiving donation of real property for use as a public park, subject to conditions stated in Contract
9. Project: The conceptual project commonly known as Historic Santa Rosa Landing, andmodifications thereto, that may include some or all of the Improvements as depicted on Exhibit 2 attached to and incorporated into this Contract. The Parties agree that part of the incentive for each of them to enter this Contract is to accommodate the future development of the Real Property according to the conceptual Project.
12. Approval of Land Use. Within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Effective Date, County shall consider a change to the land use and zoning designation of the Waterside Parcel to Parks and Recreation. This change of land use and zoning designation, along with approval of any Ancillary Commercial Use(s) as conditional uses, is a condition precedent to the Fee Simple Conveyance. County is permanently prohibited from revoking the land use designation of Parks and Recreation without consent of Waterside. Furthermore, this provision shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated in this Contract.
Beach Fanatic
#141
Beach Fanatic
Beach Fanatic
Why????? Ask yourself, why would the developer just "DONATE" property to the county - in return, the county needs to change the land code? Hired gun as a attorney who knows all the in's and out's of presenting and getting things changed.. When does it end?
Beach Fanatic
What's wrong with getting a new park and a marina on Hogtown Bayou?
Beach Fanatic
Bob, If you read the initial press release and subsequent notes and posts, it seems the land codes must again be manipulated to accommodate a development and the deal sweetener is the land donation. We currently have a boat launch and park nearby so I would question if another one is needed. I have seen firsthand how the county has no regard for the codes and also vote in favor of granting a "Hardship Variance" to a property owner with this attorney leading the charge. I am not against a new marina if that is what the Walton County citizens want but I am dead against developers incenting the county to change a land code and using a land donation to make it happen. Quid Pro Quo Maybe???
Beach Fanatic
After some quick research on the property appraisers site:
It appears that Waterside Investors has purchased 60 lots over the last 16 years in this immediate area in 8 purchases for a cost of about $1.46 to $2.46 million
Another LLC from the same small town in Georgia bought 6 lots (in 1 purchase) for $15k
If the map above is correct they are going to give the county 18 lots for a park
The question is what will the other lots be used for? and what impact will this have on the area and environment
In order to be transparent I live in the immediate area and do not want to see more pressure put on this small cove.
As stated above there is already a boat ramp and park about 1,000 feet away
If this will be good for the community simple state what the intentions with the land (not given to the county) will be and let the community decide if we want it or not.
Nothing is being said about additional traffic or infrastructure changes to 13th street or the small bridge on Wilson Street
Something seems very permanent about the statement below from the Board of Commissioners
Board of County Commissioners Meeting Agenda
12. Approval of Land Use. Within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Effective Date, County shall consider a change to the land use and zoning designation of the Waterside Parcel to Parks and Recreation. This change of land use and zoning designation, along with approval of any Ancillary Commercial Use(s) as conditional uses, is a condition precedent to the Fee Simple Conveyance. County is permanently prohibited from revoking the land use designation of Parks and Recreation without consent of Waterside. Furthermore, this provision shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated in this Contract.
It appears that Waterside Investors has purchased 60 lots over the last 16 years in this immediate area in 8 purchases for a cost of about $1.46 to $2.46 million
Another LLC from the same small town in Georgia bought 6 lots (in 1 purchase) for $15k
If the map above is correct they are going to give the county 18 lots for a park
The question is what will the other lots be used for? and what impact will this have on the area and environment
In order to be transparent I live in the immediate area and do not want to see more pressure put on this small cove.
As stated above there is already a boat ramp and park about 1,000 feet away
If this will be good for the community simple state what the intentions with the land (not given to the county) will be and let the community decide if we want it or not.
Nothing is being said about additional traffic or infrastructure changes to 13th street or the small bridge on Wilson Street
Something seems very permanent about the statement below from the Board of Commissioners
Board of County Commissioners Meeting Agenda
12. Approval of Land Use. Within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Effective Date, County shall consider a change to the land use and zoning designation of the Waterside Parcel to Parks and Recreation. This change of land use and zoning designation, along with approval of any Ancillary Commercial Use(s) as conditional uses, is a condition precedent to the Fee Simple Conveyance. County is permanently prohibited from revoking the land use designation of Parks and Recreation without consent of Waterside. Furthermore, this provision shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated in this Contract.
Beach Fanatic
After some quick research on the property appraisers site:Without judgement, the plan is probably to build as many housing units as possible with a marina and dry storage as an amenity.
It appears that Waterside Investors has purchased 60 lots over the last 16 years in this immediate area in 8 purchases for a cost of about $1.46 to $2.46 million
Another LLC from the same small town in Georgia bought 6 lots (in 1 purchase) for $15k
If the map above is correct they are going to give the county 18 lots for a park
The question is what will the other lots be used for? and what impact will this have on the area and environment
In order to be transparent I live in the immediate area and do not want to see more pressure put on this small cove.
As stated above there is already a boat ramp and park about 1,000 feet away
If this will be good for the community simple state what the intentions with the land (not given to the county) will be and let the community decide if we want it or not.
Nothing is being said about additional traffic or infrastructure changes to 13th street or the small bridge on Wilson Street
Something seems very permanent about the statement below from the Board of Commissioners
Board of County Commissioners Meeting Agenda
12. Approval of Land Use. Within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Effective Date, County shall consider a change to the land use and zoning designation of the Waterside Parcel to Parks and Recreation. This change of land use and zoning designation, along with approval of any Ancillary Commercial Use(s) as conditional uses, is a condition precedent to the Fee Simple Conveyance. County is permanently prohibited from revoking the land use designation of Parks and Recreation without consent of Waterside. Furthermore, this provision shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated in this Contract.
All I know about marinas is what I have heard over the years...that it is extremely hard to get one approved. I assume that is primarily about getting on dock fueling. I assume this marina would be one where you fuel on land and launch boats from storage. However I am speculating only. I imagine any kind of on site fueling is very hard to get approved. Unless the county has a loophole for that.
Beach Lover
I fish around there a good bit. That water is super skinny so they'll have to do some serious dredging.
Beach Fanatic
Something is up with this and I guarantee it wont work out well for those living in this area. First will come the dredging for the "marina" and the filling of the land that is notorious for flooding which will affect the dynamics of the bayou, then will come the lack of access through the subdivision for locals of said park and marina...then the county wont have any recourse to correct the problems. Yea..sounds like a hellava deal to me. 
Beach Lover
#231
Walton County no longer lives by the county seal. Might as well throw it in the bay
Beach Fanatic
I just emailed Tony Anderson, the county commissioner, about the proposed project. I will write back after I talk to him about the site/usage.
Thanks
Thanks
Beach Crab
Santa Rosa deserves a better park than it already exist, providing more comfort and space with more boat ramps and other attractions for the public
Beach Fanatic
Santa Rosa deserves a better park than it already exist, providing more comfort and space with more boat ramps and other attractions for the publicYou think we need more boat ramps that close to the existing ones? How is the proposed area going to handle the addition traffic or infrastructure?
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