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To Concerned Citizens of Historic Point Washington

Dave Rauschkolb avatar
Beach Fanatic
16,777 views1
There is concern among Point Washington residents regarding a new development proposed to go in less than 100 yards from the Cornerstone Church and Cemetery in Historic Point Washington. The development is slated to be built on roughly 4 acres and the developers intend on going for 8 units per acre as well as building up four stories on all buildings. 29 units hugging a cul de sac are proposed. The Oaks At Eden will more than likely have to clear cut all the old growth oaks on the property leaving only 29, 40 foot tall buildings.

Among the concerned citizens are adjacent homeowners who live in one story homes to the north south of the property as well as numerous residents who believe building heights and densities of that intensity are clearly incompatible with historically established development in Historic Point Washington.

Historic Point Washington is one of the oldest settlements in South Walton County. The residents are concerned that developments of this high density will adversely affect property values as well as the long established rural feel of the community.

The reasonable citizens of Historic Point Washington welcome the Oaks At Eden and hope the development will enhance rather than negatively impact the community. Reasonable citizens hope the Developers will consider lowering the heights and densities to mirror the long established patterns of development in the community.

The Board of County Commissioners will review the development proposal on November 8 at the Walton County Court house in DeFuniak Springs at 4:00 p.m. Residents and property owners of Point Washington should attend if they have similar concerns.

Edited

Replies

94
Rita avatar
margarita brocolia
#2
.... as well as building up four stories on all buildings. 29 units hugging a cul de sac are proposed. The Oaks At Eden will more than likely have to clear cut all the old growth oaks on the property leaving only 29, 40 foot tall buildings.


:( That certainly does not sound compatible! Are there no restrictions on clear cutting?

Edited

ShallowsNole avatar
Beach Fanatic
#3
Buildings of more than two stories have no business in downtown PW. Neither does clear cutting. My parents will be across the street rolling in their graves.

Is water/sewer available on 395 now? That used to be the spot of the old school (pre-Bay) in Point Washington, and Bay Elementary got their water from that well for many years. Eventually there were concerns about the well being close to the cemetery :eek: Maybe we can scare them off?

Thanks for the heads up, Dave - my son has basketball that afternoon so I'm afraid I won't make it, but hopefully as many as can will.
Kurt avatar
Admin
#4
County Commissioners:

? Dist. 1 -Scott Brannon, (850) 622-3081, brascott@co.walton.fl.us

? Dist. 2 - Kenneth Pridgen, (850) 834-6328, prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us

? Dist. 3 - Larry Jones (850) 892-8474, jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us

? Dist. 4 - Ro Cuchens, (850) 835-4834 cucro@co.walton.fl.us

? Dist. 5 - Cindy Meadows, (850) 622-3059 meacindy@co.walton.fl.us

Dear Commissioner,
Please count me as a concerned citizen opposed to the height and density of the proposed Oaks At Eden Development. It is completely out of character and incompatible with neighboring residential neighborhoods, and the historical pattern of development in Point Washington.

Sincerely,
your name
your address



Highlight the above text and click Ctrl-C (copy), click on each commissioner's e-mail address to open a new mail message for each. With your cursor in the body of the e-mail message click Ctrl-V (paste). Add your name and address and send.

THANKS!
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#5
County Commissioners:

? Dist. 1 -Scott Brannon, (850) 622-3081, brascott@co.walton.fl.us

? Dist. 2 - Kenneth Pridgen, (850) 834-6328, prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us

? Dist. 3 - Larry Jones (850) 892-8474, jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us

? Dist. 4 - Ro Cuchens, (850) 835-4834 cucro@co.walton.fl.us

? Dist. 5 - Cindy Meadows, (850) 622-3059 meacindy@co.walton.fl.us

Dear Commissioner,
Please count me as a concerned citizen opposed to the height and density of the proposed Oaks At Eden Development. It is completely out of character and incompatible with neighboring residential neighborhoods, and the historical pattern of development in Point Washington.

Sincerely,
your name
your address



Highlight the above text and click Ctrl-C (copy), click on each commissioner's e-mail address to open a new mail message for each. With your cursor in the body of the e-mail message click Ctrl-V (paste). Add your name and address and send.

THANKS!

...and if you can personalize it by adding to this letter, even better.

WTPhuk are these guys doing? :bang:
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#6
If you want to also write a complaint to the owners, write to:

[size=-2]TIMOTHY L. [/size][size=-2]HENDERSON([/size]managing member of D & H DEVELOPERS & INVESTORS, L.L.C. which owns OAKS AT EDEN LLC)
[size=-2]POST OFFICE BOX 1880
DESTIN FL 32540

Tim also owns many other businesses in the area such as:

[/size] [size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]HHH BEACHFRONT RENTALS,[/size]
[size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]D & H DEVELOPERS & INVESTORS, L.L.C.
[/size] [size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]JOB SITE, LLC[/size]
[size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]CABANAS OF SOUTH WALTON LLC[/size]
[size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]THE CANOPIES OF FREEPORT, L.L.C[/size]
[size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]HENDERSON BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, LLC[/size]
[size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L.[/size][size=-2]T & L INVESTMENT DEVELOPERS, INC.[/size]
[size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]MOUNTAIN DRIVE OFFICE PARK OWNERS' ASSOCIATION, INC[/size] [size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]T & L INVESTMENT DEVELOPERS, INC.[/size][size=-2]
HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L.[/size][size=-2]HENDCO CONSTRUCTION INC.[/size]
[size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]HHH BEACHFRONT RENTALS, L.L.C.[/size][size=-2]
HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]JOB SITE, LLC[/size][size=-2]
HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]CABANAS OF SOUTH WALTON LLC[/size][size=-2]
HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]HENDERSON BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, LLC
[/size] [size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L[/size][size=-2]T & L INVESTMENT DEVELOPERS, INC.[/size]
[size=-2]HENDERSON, TIMOTHY L.[/size][size=-2]HENDCO CONSTRUCTION INC.[/size]

Remember to shop accordingly. :D

Edited

Dave Rauschkolb avatar
Beach FanaticAuthor
#7
GREAT research Joe!
For The Health Of It avatar
Beach Fanatic
#8
GREAT research Joe!

Dave, Joe and everyone else. Great work here, count me and rachel in to help with this. This would be a shame for all of Point Washington and for that matter all of S. walton

ed berry
FoX avatar
Beach Fanatic
#9
The Henderson brothers (Hendco Construction) are notorious for building the lowest quality house in Destin. An ugly square box with substandard everything.

Please everyone pitch in for Dave and the rest of the locals and write a letter or e-mail.
Rita avatar
margarita brocolia
#10
The Henderson brothers (Hendco Construction) are notorious for building the lowest quality house in Destin. An ugly square box with substandard everything.

Please everyone pitch in for Dave and the rest of the locals and write a letter or e-mail.

Will do!
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#11
The Henderson brothers (Hendco Construction) are notorious for building the lowest quality house in Destin. An ugly square box with substandard everything.

Funny you say that. I was wondering what the standard Hendco house would look like stacked four high. -- Nasty
TreeFrog avatar
Beach Fanatic
#12
I previously lived in an area where the neighborhood resident's association applied for and received "national historic district" designation. Doing so allowed us to create and enforce design guidelines for both new construction and renovation of existing property. Deed covenants make it clear to new purchasers, prior to purchase, what they will legally be held to.

The system actually works. The neighborhood became desirable, vacant lots were developed, and the new houses that were built look very appropriate to the period, style, and siting of the existing houses. Inappropriate remodeling projects stopped butchering old houses. It's not developer-unfriendly. More than 100 houses have been built in our old area since the NHD designation.

Some NHD neighborhoods have been able to exert considerable clout. Bungalow Heaven, in Pasadena California, has been fighting a freeway construction project that would bisect their neighborhood.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation can help with info on getting NHD status. I think they also sometimes will weigh in to help deal with specific projects.

This info may be a little late for the Oaks at Eden, but maybe it can help. I hope so.
Franny avatar
Beach Fanatic
#13
The OAKS of Eden..what Oaks after they have clear cut the property? This development makes my stomach turn. I have emailed the commissioners and will forward the information. Thanks Kurt, Joe, and everyone else for their consern.
ShallowsNole avatar
Beach Fanatic
#14
MANY thanks to Dave, Kurt & SJ for the research, the heads-up, and the e-mail addresses! :clap_1:
Kurt avatar
Admin
#15
Reminds me of the "Oaks Mall" in Gainesville. They cleared an Oak Hammock with over a hundred trees that were over 200 years old to build the mall. For many years the logo looked like an oak stump with cut off branches sticking out. The developers must have been trying to rub it in.
Rita avatar
margarita brocolia
#16
Reminds me of the "Oaks Mall" in Gainesville. They cleared an Oak Hammock with over a hundred trees that were over 200 years old to build the mall. For many years the logo looked like an oak stump with cut off branches sticking out. The developers must have been trying to rub it in.

We lived in Gainesville when that mall was built and the trees cut down. Sad, stupid thing to do! They planted all these little trees to replace them. We lived in Buckingham subd. so drove by there daily. :bang:
bsmart avatar
brain
#17
Dear Commissioner,
Please count me as a concerned citizen opposed to the height and density of the proposed Oaks At Eden Development. It is completely out of character and incompatible with neighboring residential neighborhoods, and the historical pattern of development in Point Washington. Not to mention, the damage to the local environment will be tremendous and in effect will diminish the aesthetic quality of this area. Timothy Henderson et al., have a long streak of poor quality and unsightly developments in surrounding areas of the panhandle, similar practices in our county will be an utter disappointment to many.

Sincerely,

This is the letter I sent.
Dave Rauschkolb avatar
Beach FanaticAuthor
#18
In all posts to the commissioners please be polite, respectful, simple and direct. All we are asking is that The Oaks of Eden development stick to what is pretty much established; 4 units per acre and 2 story houses. Great Letter bsmart, thanks! Dave
Dave Rauschkolb avatar
Beach FanaticAuthor
#19
I am going to charter a bus for Point Washington Residents to go to the meeting together. May I ask that anyone wanting to ride on the bus(s) please email me at drmail@mchsi.com so you may reserve a seat and to determine if we need two busses. We can pick up any elderly folks if they can't get a ride to the church if necessary.

We will leave from the parking lot of the Cornerstone church in Historic Point Washington at 2:50 on November 8 for the 4:00 meeting in Defuniak springs.

If for some reason the meeting is postponed or the time changed we will plan the same trip until we are heard.

Thank you all. Dave Rauschkolb

Edited

Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#20
According to the GIS maps, approx 60% of the property is in FEMA's 100 year flood zone. I believe the current law is that property which is in a flood zone is not able to be sub-divided. You will have to check me on this.

As for surrounding properties, the two parcels south of this parcel are Zoned Conservation Residential (2 units per acre). Also, the subject parcel and all other surrounding property, except for the parcel to the SW, is zoned Traditional Neighborhood. The parcel to the SW is zoned infill.

It is also my understanding that in order for the zoning to be changed, the subject property needs to be surrounded on at least three sides by type of zoning change being requested. Of course this conforming issue has not stopped the County from changing the density on other property.

Edited

Magic Hour avatar
Beach Comber
#21
Thanks for all you are doing to combat this unsightly development.

In my opinion, these developers should be held to the same height standards that the developers at Edens Landing have adopted.

My letters when out today.

There is no substitute for a vocal and united group representing Pt. Washington.
Beach Crab
#22
The way they get around the 100 year flood plain is to get out of the floodplain, usually by filling it to raise the elevation of the ground. Often this results in flooding to surrounding properties.
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#23
The way they get around the 100 year flood plain is to get out of the floodplain, usually by filling it to raise the elevation of the ground. Often this results in flooding to surrounding properties.
Which is also illegal and they will be liable.
Beach Fanatic
#24
This is one of the most unimaginative standard subdivision maps that I've ever seen. This is what developers do when they are merely trying to plug in the maximum number of units. In fact, it looks more like a mobile home park than a stick development. I would be willing to bet that the developer has a manufactured housing product in mind with this design. The setbacks are so minimal as to allow no effective landscape buffer from the ramrod straight road. Even a two-story height will translate into zero privacy for backyards.

The County and Point Washington deserve so much better than this. This development bears no semblance to the character of Pt. Washington whatsoever. Has anyone seen elevations for these units? Be sure to ask whether they are manufactured units. Someone should ask why units can't be clustered in order to create more interest and larger areas for landscaping. Really, this looks like the makings of a slum, although the houses will probably market for somewhere around $500K, I would expect. Finally, what has the developer been required to do in terms of affordable units as a mix with this? This is exactly the kind of development where some inclusionary affordable units should be a requirement, especially if the developer is requesting a density bonus. Just a few thoughts from a planner.
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#25
...and if you can personalize it by adding to this letter, even better.

WTPhuk are these guys doing? :bang:

That should get their attention :funn:
Beach Fanatic
#26
P.S. My husband took a look at this site plan and reminded me that in the Colorado ski country, we used to call it "Stack-a-Shack." You would think the builder would introduce a little bit of diversity by having some different elevations and unit types and sizes, that is, some one-story units and some variety in how they are configured on the lots. All the lots are even identical. Some one-story units would also provide for some more affordable and/or moderately-priced housing stock mixed in with the market rate homes.

Please feel free to use the "Stack-a-Shack" vernacular in your testimony before the County Commission. Good luck, everyone.

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