To Concerned Citizens of Historic Point Washington

Ro can be a real good 'ole boy (jack@ss) sometimes.

Ro can be a real good 'ole boy (jack@ss) sometimes.

When is he up for re-election...when hopefully someone will run against him!!! That is as nice as I can be without losing it!!

Hooray! This is a really good opportunity for the people to have direct input into that development. If you have a list of constructive suggestions and back them up with County General Plan goals and policies, you will have a powerful argument. It's always a good idea to try and work with the developer, but also good to continue lobbying your Commissioners in a reasonable and well argued manner. Not a bad idea to retain an attorney, either, even if you don't actually use their services (or need to). Sometimes you just have to get their attention. Letters to the editor of the local newspaper also help. If there is a local planner who will review the project and give you something in writing (as to compatibility of the project with codes and environmental sensitivity), often better than at attorney but doesn't give you the same "snap" with the development interest. Finally, keep in touch with the Planning Director and her staff, because they are in the driver's seat. Good luck. The first cut is the deepest!

I hear you. Remember that most of the things for, or against, which he votes, has more to do with his good 'ole boy network rather than listening to the people. This action sometimes makes him to appear even more idiotic than he may be.

I am sure you're right but it gets tiresome seeing his name surface time and again. People need to vote.

Cmon you guys - thats what county commissioners DO. Ive dealt with them long enough in my former career that I know if you want something done, like a seawall removed, you simply go to the appropriate commissioner, gain a private meeting, contribute whatever it takes to their re-election campaign to get the job done and ride his hide until he completes it. Thats the way it works and its time for everyone to realise there is no such thing as a honest politician, at least not after their first term. I will give some few of them some minor credit with the disclaimer "Unless they have no nose and cannot smell the way the wind is blowing."

Politicians stink.

Cmon you guys - thats what county commissioners DO. Ive dealt with them long enough in my former career that I know if you want something done, like a seawall removed, you simply go to the appropriate commissioner, gain a private meeting, contribute whatever it takes to their re-election campaign to get the job done and ride his hide until he completes it. Thats the way it works and its time for everyone to realise there is no such thing as a honest politician, at least not after their first term. I will give some few of them some minor credit with the disclaimer "Unless they have no nose and cannot smell the way the wind is blowing."

Politicians stink.

I would mostly agree with you on that one. Around here, the CC's do it for their friends. Money is not always necessary.

Fortunately, we in Walton County have one CC who is a good guy (gal). ;-) Commissioner Cindy Meadows always seems to be thinking of doing the right thing, listening to the public, and responding with action when she can. She may be the only exception to your rule. :clap_1:

SAVE HISTORIC POINT WASHINGTON

Please come to the first meeting of the Historic Point Washington Association

Today, 13 November, 3:00pm,
at Randy Horton?s old general store
(1920s Bullard Butler Cash Store)
Gilmore Road across from the Post Office

Meeting organized and led by James Foley, Randy Harelson, Randy Horton, & Grace Marse

Point Washington, a bustling lumbertown in the 1880s, is threatened today by Walton County?s Comprehensive Plan which allows development up to 50-feet-tall and 10-units-per-acre even immediately in the street grid of Old Point Washington. The Oaks at Eden is a proposed development of 29 three-or-four-story houses wedged into a small piece of land on County Road 395 one lot away from the Community Cemetery (c.1880) and immediately next door to four existing one-story homes.

At a County Commissioners meeting last Tuesday, 8 November 2005, the developers (Hendco from Destin) were given two weeks to meet with neighbors and Point Washington residents to find compromise on the clear incompatibility of their development with the existing place.

A meeting of the Historic Point Washington Association today, Sunday 13 November, will discuss preserving and protecting the historic town from overly-dense and overly-tall development. Committees will also be formed to establish an historic district, collect and edit historical information, and look ahead to a vision of Point Washington 20 years from today.

Please come if you have an interest in saving the charm and history of this delightful little town.

Please write to or call your county commissioners to let them know of your concern about the Oaks at Eden, and this sort of incompatible development:
Walton County Commissioners:
District One, Scott Brannon, 850-622-3081, brascott@co.walton.fl.us
District Two, Kenneth Pridgen, 850-834-6328, prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us
District Three, Larry Jones, 850-892-8474, jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us
District Four, Ro Cuchens, 850-835-4834, cucro@co.walton.fl.us
District Five, Cindy Meadows, 850-622-3059, meacindy@co.walton.fl.us

Please write and call our commissioners as soon as possible this week.

Thank you for helping to save historic Point Washington.

Randy Harelson

Tonight is the very important BCC meeting on the Oaks at Eden project. We need to fill the room with concerned citizens. This project in it's current form is simply not compatable.

Please attend the BCC meeting tonight at the South Walton Annex on 331.

Walton County Commissioners and Planning Staff November 20, 2005

Upon review of documents dated February 2005 by and between Walton County and the Oversight Review Committee of the DCA, we, the Historic Point Washington Association have concerns and objections over any further development in the ?hub? of Historic Point Washington. While we are in discussions over the, ?Oaks at Eden? project, we feel our concerns about to be stated appeal to an even bigger picture.

In the document, on page 31, Historic Preservation Issues are addressed. Under the heading number 7, several points of interests are documented.

CZCE Objection C-3.3 which states the County shall protect, preserve or sensitively reuse historical and archaeological resources within the County, by regulating development which may impact such resources.

CZCE Policy C-3.3.2 which states all development shall maintain a minimum 50 foot buffer from known archaeological resources.

And most importantly CZCE Policy C-3.3.3 which states the County shall coordinate with the Division of Historical Resources to establish historic preserves or parks at sites known historical or archaeological significance.

When discussing this issue with Walton County Planners and the Planning Department in general, it is a fact that Walton County Staff has yet to act upon this policy.

It is also determined that according to page 32 of this same document, ?The Walton County Board of County Commissioners, in accordance to Walton County Comprehensive Plan Policy L-1.3.7 and Policy R-1.1.7 has appointed a Committee of Citizens to develop a ?Walton County Cultural Plan,? which addresses all aspects of Policy L-1.3.7 and R-1.1.7. The Committee will make their presentation to the Board in December 2005 with the goal of adopting the plan into the Comprehensive Plan.

If in fact, a presentation is set to be made by a committee set up by THIS BOARD of County Commissioners in December of this year with aspects of the presentation addressing the very issues of our concerns over this development, then, are we not jumping the gun here? Should we be looking to approve any developments that may be non -compliant to these issues less than a month before the presentation is to be made????

It has been said that this project is not in a historical area, however according to Walton County?s own Tourist Development Council the term ?HISTORIC? is used to address this area of Point Washington in every piece of information found. In Fact just up the Road from this site, a Walton County TDC sign welcomes travelers of CR 395 to ?Historic Point Washington? the sign informs of the historic areas such as the Post Office, Eden State Gardens, Bay School, the Methodist Church, The Assembly of God Church, and the Cemetery which is even misspelled. The point being, a Walton County Department has identified this area as Historic.

In information located on the Walton County TDC website, as well as in brochures, the TDC again addresses Historic Point Washington with advertising such as, (taken verbatim from the website)

Eden State Gardens
Point Washington
Tucked away in historic Point Washington on the shore of Tucker Bayou is a beautiful turn?of-the-century mansion surrounded by azaleas, camellias and towering Spanish moss-draped live oaks, some dating back more than 600 years. Guided mansion tours re offered Thursday through Monday. Look for Eden State Gardens, tucked back one mile north of US 98 on County Rd. 395. 850-231-4214



Wesley Mansion
The Wesley Mansion, located in the Historic Eden State Gardens, was built in the 1890?s and houses the largest collection of original Louis XVI antiques. The Wesley family owned and operated the Point Washington Lumber Mill during Walton County?s thriving lumber period during the turn-of-the-century. The mansion was dedicated to the state for preservation. 850-231-4214

Again, these are examples of the fact that this Governmental Board knows of the fact that this area is of Historical importance and if approval of this development is made, it will be in conflict with its own policies and the State of Florida?s Policies for protection.

Also on page 32 of the before mentioned document, Policy L-1.3.5 states, Significant Historical and Archaeological sites, including but not limited to sites on the Florida Master Site File shall be protected by implementing the following:

1. After the identification and evaluation of the County?s historic resources following the grant surveys, the County shall determine which structures or archeological sites are deemed significant as judged in part by the criteria used during surveys and adopt by resolution a local historic register and a map of designated sites.

2. As part of all site plan evaluations, County Staff shall identify whether or not the proposed construction activity and/or final development would disturb the site listed on the Florida Master Site File and/or the County register. If so, the developer shall be notified and shall, in turn, notify the Florida Division of Historical Resources, Bureau of Historic Preservation, compliance review section and shall enter a binding agreement with the County in which the developer agrees to comply with the recommended course of action or mitigation requested by the division prior to the development order being issued.

In closing, approval of this project will be in direct conflict with the policies set forth by and between the County and the State. We ask that you table this issue until the proper steps have been taken as they have been laid out under this document. Your failure to do so will have significant impacts with a HISTORIC AREA and the STATE OF FLORIDA.

Sincerely

The members of the Historic Point Washington Association

Peaboy, is that meeting at 5:00pm?

the meeting starts at 4 today in the courthouse annex - looks like the Point Washington Historic District issue comes up at 5:35 (according to the agenda) -
http://www.co.walton.fl.us/default....nce.asp&announceaction=view&announcementid=60

the meeting starts at 4 today in the courthouse annex - looks like the Point Washington Historic District issue comes up at 5:35 (according to the agenda) -
http://www.co.walton.fl.us/default.asp?id=4&x8app=announcements/announce.asp&announceaction=view&announcementid=60

Thanks for the link.;-) The Oaks at Eden, while being an important part, is a seperate issue and is on the agenda later at 6:20pm.

Okay Dave or Peaboy, what took place at the meeting? We are curious to know. Full report please.

How I wish that I could be there to attend this meeting! Good luck to all of you. Perhaps you should give each of the Commissioners a DVD copy of the cult environmental horror film, "Frogs," which was filmed at the Wesley Mansion/Eden. Just kidding.

The thing for all citizens groups to remember is that well reasoned and well referenced arguments and points are hard for elected officials to refute. Also, officials like for developers and interest groups to work together to reach their own compromise solutions. Perhaps you should propose that the developers, one of the County planners (to attend meetings), and several members of your group should work together to at least identify areas of concern and mitigation measures for addressing those concerns. When that happens, it becomes very difficult politically for the officials to disregard input from the public.

I also think it is critical for you to work with Commissioner Cindy Meadows and also with your Planning Director or the project manager. These are difficult endeavors, but when people get involved in a reasonable and well-intentioned way, the process DOES work for them. Good luck.

Requesting a report here too...I was there for the Historic PW part (wow, wasn't that smooth?) but had to bail out before the Oaks at Eden discussion.

Some diligent folks uncoverd a zoning issue with the property so the matter was tabled again until it can be straightened out. Seems there are 2 different zoning designations on 2 different parts of the property, part infill and part TND (Traditional Neighborhood Development).

Also the property is within 300 feet of a state-designated archeological sight of interest, so an extensive archeological survey will need to be conducted by the applicant.

Note to developers: it is much easier and profitable to work WITH the community rather than AGAINST the community.

I just heard a report of the meeting.

The short of it is that both parties were represented at the meeting. The developer, Tim Henderson(aka Hendco, aka Oaks of Eden, LLC) was represented by his attorney, and Pt Washington was represented by one attorney hired by a few Pt Wash residents, the newly formed Pt Washington Historic Society (or something like that), and about 60 concerned citizens, not all of whom are from Pt Washington.

The developer met with the residents of PW, but the two sides reached no compromise.

Apparently some new info arose yesterday afternoon, which shows the subject property to be zoned as two different types of zoning, one of which allows 2 units/acre and the other which allows up to 10units/ acre.
(oh, now they tell me. -- our gov't is a little whacked)

Anyway, the developer reduced the density by 2 lots which now brings them to just under 6 units per acre, and they reduced the height limits by 2 ft, from 40' to 38'. No one at the meeting thought that was enough.

Witnesses for Pt Washington included about four people who were well spoken. Ty Nunn, an owner showed the Commissioners the difference in densities through charts and graphs. Gourd Garden Randy spoke at length of the references in publications of Pt Washington being "historic." He also noted historical buildings, pointing out that one of the buildings was at one time the Cuchens Grocery (Roe Cuchens is one of the @sshole commissioners.). Foley, a local PW resident, spoke of all of the artifacts that can be found around the property. Van Ness Butler, of the well known Butler family, spoke at length, but began by cracking the serious tones of the meeting by stating that the only density in the area that came close to the developer's proposed density was the Church Cemetary located close by. He made special note that he and his brother Albert, bought 100 acers adjacent to Eden Gardens with plans to develope it. They spent money and invested time, but as time passed, they came to the conclusion that future genertations should be able to see the land as they saw it as children, raw and beautiful. They could not live, knowing that they destroyed the land, so they sold it to the State and it is now part of Eden Gardens. I hear his story was very moving.

The County tabled the issue until the meeting on Dec 13.

I understand that the Commissioners were admitting emails to the record for this case, which is the first time ever. So keep the emails going to all of the Commissioners.

Also the property is within 300 feet of a state-designated archeological sight of interest, so an extensive archeological survey will need to be conducted by the applicant.

muwahahahaha!

see, prayer works!

I've been asked to report on the Historic PW portion of the meeting - the short and sweet of it is that Pat Blackshear brought it up, Scott Brannon (District 1) supported it, which I was glad to see as he is our commissioner, as did Cindy Meadows. There is to be more study done, but the proposal to move forward with the Historic Point Washington designation passed 5 - 0. Evidently there is no problem with it, and it was mentioned that it would make the jobs of the planning department and the commissioners much easier :clap_1:

Or, that's how it sounded from the next to the last row.

Not that it really matters, but Van Ness and Albert are cousins. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Just had a call from Cindy Meadows, who reported on the meeting. Sounds like it went very well and that Van Ness Butler did a great job. The historic overlay is wonderful and the timing extremely effective. When the County does this overlay, there should be a professional historic architect who can establish design criteria that serves as a performance standard that all developers must meet when properties are developed in the area. These design criteria are typically based on two things (or more): (1) The factors that charcterize the area as being historic and special, or other resources that contribute to same; and (2) The extent to which new development is compatible with existing historic resources and building charcter, yet clearly has not been an attempt to actually emulate the historic resource(s). Design standards for the protection of historic resources are usually very stringent. For example, the overlay could require that all new development must be evaluated by a recognized historic architect to determine whether it is compatible with the historic context of the area. The citizens group should request this of the planning department. Would be great if you can find some samples of historic overlay ordinances that work well in other areas. I would be willing to write a letter on this and even provide some sample ordinances, if you think it will help. Otherwise, I will remain a concerned observer.

FYI, two of the Commissioners are up for re-election soon...many letters should be written to them, lots of pressure brought to bear relative to this issue. Keep up the good fight! Wish I could have been there.

More great info Donna and a perfect reckoning of the meeting SmilingJoe and Kurt! Thanks you guys!!

It looks like things are progressing well for THPWA!! HOORAAHH!!!

The wrangling between residents of Point Washington and developers of the Oaks at Eden continued at the Nov. 22 meeting of the Walton Board of County Commissioners.
The residents say the overall height and density of the Oakds will upset the natural character of Point Washington. The BCC decided to continue the project to its Dec. 13 meeting to see if some of the issues can be resolved.
Developers eliminated two of the 29 proposed lots to bring the subdivision?s density down to 5.9 units per acre from 6.4. The density adjacent to the Oaks is 3.8 units per acre, Point Washington resident architect Ty Nunn said.
?The only thing that comes close to the Oaks density is the Point Washington cemetery,? Van Ness Butler Sr. said at the BCC meeting.
At a Nov. 17 meeting between the developer and residents, the developer made some concessions. They agreed to increase buffering to adjacent lots, reduce the height of two homes at the entrance to the subdivision to 32 feet and to install a privacy fence at the north and south borders of the property.
Developers want a maximum height of 38 feet, but residents feel that would be out of place in Point Washington, which is mostly one or one and a halfstory homes. Residents want the height capped at 32 feet.

The Walton Board of County Commissioners proposed giving Point Washington an historic overlay district to help preserve its character.
If approved, future development in Point Washington will come under tighter scrutiny.
?It imposes additional regulations on what type of development can go in there,? said Greg Scoville, process systems manager for the Walton County Planning Department.
The Planning Department is currently generating a map to define the boundaries of the district and will put it before the BCC at its Dec. 13 meeting for approval.
If it is approved, Scoville said a survey will be taken to see what structures in the district can be classified as historical and what type of developments would be compatible with Point Washington.
Currently, the Planning Department doesn?t have an historical overlay district in the Land Development Code. Scoville said the LDC will have to be amended. The Planning Department will look to surrounding counties to model the wording for the amendment.
?The idea is to preserve as much of the character of the area,? Scoville said. ?The district will look at development to see how it is compatible to the area or if the development will harm historical structures.?
Residents are fighting the developers of the Oaks at Eden. The overall height of the subdivision has residents worried. The Oaks will have homes at a maximum height of 38 feet. Residents of Point Washington feel the development would be out of place in a community where most of the homes are half that height.
The density also is a concern. Van Ness Butler, former Walton County Commissioner and a long time resident of Point Washington, has been quoted as saying the Point Washington Cemetery is the only thing compatible with the proposed density of the Oaks.

Benefits of Historic District Designation

Two historic districts were established in Tampa, Seminole Heights Historic District and Hampton Terrace Historic District. Below are some of the benefits associated with those two districts according to http://www.oldseminoleheights.com/historic.htm.

? Preserves and enhances neighborhood character

? Protects property investments and values

? Promotes restoration and revitalization

? Encourages pride of ownership

? Attracts homeowners who appreciate historic properties

? Encourages compatible infill construction

? Discourages demolition of historic properties

? Increases neighborhood visibility with city officials

? Property tax credits and abatements available for certain restoration projects

? Promotes and preserves our cultural and architectural heritage

? Preserves and protects an important piece of Tampa?s history

? Provides a unique sense of community

? Positions neighborhood to receive foundation grants

? Promotes awareness of neighborhood values

? Provides guidelines for compatible new construction

? Improves the quality of the neighborhood

Someone told me that the Oaks at Eden was scratched from today's CC meeting. Anyone know? I may go find out for myself in a minute, but thought I would check here first.