[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6280808,"mediaKeyId","2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec","parentId",2610810,"title","Votes at a glance: continuances, rezoning and development orders from Walton County planning commission","audioSeconds",3592,"startMs",542000,"endMs",4134000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec&start=542&end=4134","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec/thumbnail_542000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280808/Walton-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-continuances-rezoning-and-development-orders-from-Walton-County-planning-commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280808-2a770e83daa0362de70f5eba1272aef1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110460&Signature=T1R6qFZf-b0KTaeaj9TIhdpngPRa7M5UjiE8bxJxZkIcvqDJ~vg-EWYRWq3XeD64wkqnTXBs3QM14h1S8vIT-cfuehPv9gdysWcqPmssh12kiRHN752LZFSRQoZIF0VJBXmTuRNioMt0KHjIJeZEiPeirzChcElZh0Olt~rmiFx84u7CmQzDtJ8lKNppA9iYlYVxeRvcosHwNE4zT0aMYbKIwLtWlQ1iBLx5TRIr4uaXbMz~1o5HbuSdMRZV33sbrVYvEs6UWEpSx2rOmcNsV1fWdCmW0UjGR1IdJUOLSm5XYNgBnnl0i~CnAG3mekBS0G5ctKj0KP4fgVItckCLGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walton County, FL","date","2025-03-06T17:28:14Z","article","At the meeting the Walton County Planning Commission recorded the following formal actions and outcomes.

Votes at a glance

- Items 2 and 5 (D & H land LSA / Red Bay rezoning): Motion to continue both items to April 10, 2025 (staff request). Motion carried; one commissioner identified the applicant abstained from the vote. The commission took the continuance together at the applicant's request.

- Item 3 (Land Development Code text amendment changes): Motion to continue the text-amendment item to May 8, 2025 for additional drafting, advertising and legal review. Motion carried (voice vote); counts not specified in the record.

- Item 4 (Robinson: FLU24-000022): Commission recommended approval of the future-land-use map amendment and rezoning for 5338 N. US Highway 331. Staff said the proposal is generally consistent with the comprehensive plan. Motion carried; counts not specified.

- Item 6 (NESEUS Major Development Order: MAJ24-000004): Commission approved the major development order for the light-industrial/warehouse project on County Highway 393 subject to staff conditions, including mobility-fee payment at permit review and required state/federal wetland permits before construction. One commissioner voted no; the motion carried.

- Item 7 (Commerce Park PUD amendment: MAJ24-000027): Commission recommended approval of the PUD amendment changing a townhome area to a 60‑unit independent living facility (for adults with Down syndrome). Motion carried unanimously.

Notes on procedure and documentation: For items continued, staff asked for time to prepare materials for public notice; the commission and staff discussed notice timing (property-appraiser downloads and mailing windows) and agreed to include the dated property-appraiser spreadsheet in submittals for mail affidavits. For development orders, staff said technical-review conditions must be cleared and that required state/federal permits (for wetland impacts) must be in hand before preconstruction activity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission - Mar 13 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Walton County Planning Commission recorded multiple procedural and land-use votes, including continuances, a rezoning recommendation, approval of a major development order with conditions, and a PUD amendment recommendation.","taxTitle","Walton County, Florida","taxId",28197,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6280813,"Commission approves Commerce Park PUD amendment to allow a 60‑unit independent living facility",173,5575000,5748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec&start=5575&end=5748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec/thumbnail_5575000.jpg","/articles/6280813/Walton-County/Florida/Commission-approves-Commerce-Park-PUD-amendment-to-allow-a-60unit-independent-living-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280813-859a8a7bb74e7ce001625ec60e806e69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110460&Signature=abd3Z4BdQNNiAleQ3LcldE3BUPQfwM~CR7nFo2Ms~MDYh0GGDPg~e1rAiHmbG7Tg7RzFBWkPbWDosdYpIKW0oAsRLipKEljkeKkF-YTB2z8ZRGyzIuxgFVea3joGs1nnDZSvtsc9NchMQqhQ1gpFSUYiYFfU~AywurdRsvlXp4y19IjVFG5gCCC691KmIQiLfKZ7QFePtpckpuwcouU-W-L~a8qgzCUcm-XSRHvQAZF2qcTXqkUnC8YnoO8ihhmMm3VRH1A8tNaUUvtJbRQ7QubzSC5efUwj1vp~RU2f~82rJWLRSihN70PwCy1av3IZejD2nd6uzjAZgximU07s1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walton County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a PUD amendment that replaces a planned townhome area in Commerce Park with a 60‑unit independent living facility for adults with Down syndrome. Planning staff said the only change to the ordinance is the master plan sheet amendment changing housing type to an individual living facility.

Staff and applicant: Tim Brown of Planning & Development said the PUD ordinance’s master plan sheet was updated to reflect the new use (a 60‑unit facility) and that the amendment will proceed to the Board of County Commissioners for ordinance first reading. Dean Burgess, the project engineer from Emerald Coast Associates, was present as the applicant’s representative.

Outcome: The planning commission recommended approval and the motion passed unanimously. The PUD amendment and related ordinance will be forwarded to the county commission for consideration in the county’s ordinance process.","Commission approved an amendment to the Commerce Park PUD to replace planned townhomes with a 60‑unit independent living facility serving adults with Down syndrome; staff entered the ordinance change into the record and the amendment will go to the Board of County Commissioners for first reading.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6280818,"Commission approves NESEUS light-industrial development amid traffic and wetland-impact concerns",1333,4190000,5523000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec&start=4190&end=5523","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec/thumbnail_4190000.jpg","/articles/6280818/Walton-County/Florida/Commission-approves-NESEUS-light-industrial-development-amid-traffic-and-wetland-impact-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280818-462dc0426dc06b4c2193ced22e1e2dbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110460&Signature=J0Vyz23AKgLgZ94P1Vmey2sYkuE4nuqk1oV6lGZHteuM5kmmpXGg2ckdtpZGSFvQd~nIuAqSgXvubs9UFeM1YUlgo7AvMs43oYPGu~pCcMAWm~V8gufw2l-MwSm7~eZ-YRatnPTcDdybEnWAYphTKwsnBFSSmieuG8Mbdq-4hFBTI6hmzyxZ0eEBXO579mlq7y-LVZQgH~BMqALYQc~GrRebOTdBLoiPwwOqZMRHF1QqTpzZBDSgTWhklRk3ms4AMnSyzpFLU-I8U9V8lTgzl1jk~~ITC1V4cHPyfbPQXJzOsHw-~IwI9skaDlIaz-JGjMJy3N~A41b10K5FU6leRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walton County Planning Commission approved a major development order (MAJ24-000004) for a proposed light-industrial/warehouse complex on County Highway 393 after staff said all technical-review comments had been addressed. The approval passed with one dissenting vote.

Project and staff review: Kelly Schulz, planning staff, said the application proposes multiple warehouse/office buildings (five 2,400-square-foot buildings plus an existing 4,423-square-foot storage area and an existing 423-square-foot warehouse), and noted the project was reviewed under the county’s mobility-fee ordinance; the mobility fee will be assessed at building-permit review. Schulz said the technical-review committee placed several conditions the applicant addressed and that staff recommends approval subject to conditions.

Traffic and capacity issues: Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on traffic impacts to County Road 393 and the nearby SR 98/393 intersection. The county’s traffic-review letter estimated the project would generate about 48 PM peak-hour trips (10 entering, 38 exiting) based on ITE trip-generation rates for the theoretical maximum build-out; the county’s reviewer concluded the trips would not create a significant adverse impact but flagged that the analysis used a maximum-intensity scenario. Commissioner comments and public discussion raised concern that existing peak-hour congestion on 393 and at nearby intersections could produce operational or safety impacts when the project builds out.

Applicant response: Dean Burgess, the engineer of record with Emerald Coast Associates, described the proposal as aimed at trade and service businesses (for example, electricians, carpenters and a pool-builder tenant expressing interest) rather than high-trip commercial or large-distribution uses. Burgess said the development’s parking and layout were sized to meet county code and that the site preserves wetlands where possible; he acknowledged the project will impact some wetlands and said the design applies the county’s impervious-surface penalty for wetland impacts. \"The amount of people per building is limited to probably 5 or 6 people,\" Burgess said, describing expected staffing and trip generation.

Wetlands and stormwater: The applicant’s engineer said existing wetlands total about 3.25 acres, with 2.56 acres of wetland impacts proposed; the project’s calculated floor-area ratio was about 30 percent and required parking counts exceed code minimums (70 provided vs. 66 required). Staff said federal and state wetland permits are not required to obtain the development order but must be in hand before construction starts; the county will require proof of any required permits at the preconstruction meeting.

Outcome: The commission approved the major-development order on a recorded voice vote; one commissioner voted against the motion. Conditions in staff’s recommended order address mobility-fee payment at permit review, required permits, and standard site-plan and stormwater conditions.","Commission approved a major development order for a multi-building light-industrial/warehouse project on County Highway 393 (MAJ24-000004). Staff said technical comments were resolved; traffic, wetlands and mobility-fee issues drew extended discussion and one commissioner voted no.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6280823,"Planning commission backs Robinson rezoning to neighborhood commercial; staff found proposal consistent with plan",1993,2043000,4036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec&start=2043&end=4036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec/thumbnail_2043000.jpg","/articles/6280823/Walton-County/Florida/Planning-commission-backs-Robinson-rezoning-to-neighborhood-commercial-staff-found-proposal-consistent-with-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280823-14357bee17005d04fa509358acfe4744/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110460&Signature=HVfqn57q67PhIyYuVKzsEHd5KtqogY484k1X~gBiY8e2pFwWMnL17j2otDeLYqW6h1Zcs~H6lyMhCbePr8lFd11NXyjHGgTFtjGJnjmBHTnccfGQtBZo~1MUvQliVTQ0H3Tr4gyi6DodGQPFamD7bkzKzaMGlUqFAxZf38EvgqhBvv1hTVWaBaLjVxM25tHYaAbtaz9XYujhJPZA22mC9CtAIIbBWqNwLj3fYy79ESjGe569NMBdA9NaltRB9waF-Z0IfbSHiZHqQkmdPnyGvxtDuCbwCkLzauwVzsFZCA7RMNC8NanEzhfIOPVXn7GFz-IsJYfOawPG-p1vktSYag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walton County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a future land use map amendment and rezoning for the Robinson property at 5338 North U.S. Highway 331 (project FLU24-000022). The application requests changing the property's future land use from rural residential/general agriculture to commercial and the zoning from rural village/general agriculture to neighborhood commercial.

Staff review: Ayanna Reed, the staff reviewer, told the commission the proposed amendment is \"generally consistent with the comprehensive plan and the land development code.\" Reed also noted the site lies in FEMA Zone X and that staff saw no flood hazards on the parcel.

Applicant presentation and compatibility: Applicant Alara Mills Gutcher, a certified land-use planner who prepared the application, said the proposed development would be a neighborhood-scale commercial use of about 12,000 square feet or less and argued the site would serve nearby residents. Gutcher noted existing nonresidential uses at the nearby intersection, including a convenience/gas station and a manufacturing use, and said the proposal includes setbacks, landscaping and buffering to protect nearby residences.

Public comment and concerns: Two nearby property owners spoke in public comment. Russell (last name not provided) said he is concerned about safety at the adjacent highway intersection, citing sight-line and speed concerns. Ed Gillis, who said he owns the mining operation east of the site, asked for fencing and landscape buffering to reduce debris and visual impacts.

Outcome: After discussion about traffic analysis and utility capacity, the commission moved to recommend approval and the motion carried. Staff and applicants noted that more detailed traffic and utility information would be reviewed at the development-order stage.","Commission approved a future land use and rezoning amendment for property at 5338 N. U.S. Highway 331 (FLU24-000022), moving the parcel from rural residential/general agriculture to commercial/neighborhood commercial; staff recommended approval as generally consistent with the comprehensive plan.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6280826,"Walton County planning commission moves land-development-code rewrite to workshop, delays vote",1803,205000,2008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec&start=205&end=2008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610810-1e860bbdd215b62af76e9f37fa6f78ec/thumbnail_205000.jpg","/articles/6280826/Walton-County/Florida/Walton-County-planning-commission-moves-land-development-code-rewrite-to-workshop-delays-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280826-2390e186fec46cd33bf929bc82599648/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110460&Signature=L4pZaEQoiTVCCMkvPK9x4AjOPv7JETvInKl1FKx0q49uwISzw6JKQHx86hDCfsxWhn8Tf5F-hvZyS61kc7TjTJHJiiy4V5e43OYjPmI9cpNwkcy3B1CAVsHsCuSQXCVVBgawAlSvqEsUAA2eFrgpCMFV0OAPbo1c-dh~1b0ID2HuAYjsNQI93aQuYtBvqQkGkMprSsSDTHcRVC2lC7DvpeM27gpRoaYT8xRmiGf8Ouv3sogdTj1wVMVzBBLp4-O1q4yry5I8p1YJf4YtceAmecG4xES8CFF83PAWr9JUdVvTDQCrNHAUauvPd3D6qJLntyOvPMwNbCs5L5svC7tZ2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walton County Planning Commission members discussed a proposed rewrite of parts of the county Land Development Code related to so-called “monster houses,” board appointments, and notification rules, and agreed to schedule a public workshop before taking any action. Planning staff told the commission the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) had given direction to prepare code language addressing monster houses and related procedural items, but asked the planning commission not to adopt changes at tonight’s meeting.

The county planner said staff would provide draft code language for discussion and requested that the commission reserve formal action until the package returns to the commission. \"Some of these things are really close to being ready to put some language in the code,\" the planner said, and asked commissioners to treat tonight’s review as discussion only.

Why it matters: commissioners said the issue is urgent and affects neighborhood character, but also said the code changes cross multiple topics — appeals procedure, appointment and removal language for boards, quorum language, and public-notice timing — and therefore require careful review. Commissioners asked staff to schedule a focused workshop and to allow time for public notice and legal review before any vote.

Discussion highlights: commissioners and staff debated several items that staff proposes to make uniform across appointed boards, including language allowing the BCC to remove members without cause, a clause letting members serve past their term until a successor is appointed, and whether to add explicit quorum language for the planning commission. Commissioner comments urged clearer quorum rules for the planning commission and questioned whether allowing removal without cause should apply universally. Staff said the change is intended to make appointment and removal language consistent across boards and that legal will be consulted on quorum language.

On public-notice timing, the commission discussed the county’s current practice of downloading property-appraiser lists up to 45 days before a hearing and mailing 10–20 days before the hearing. Commissioners asked staff to evaluate whether the 45-day download window could be shortened to reduce misdirected notices; staff noted larger mailings can require significant time for printing and preparing affidavits. Staff said the property-appraiser spreadsheet with a date stamp will be included in submittals to document the download date.

Next steps: staff asked for at least two weeks to draft language and proposed a special workshop three weeks out to give the paper time to run notices; commissioners agreed to hold a workshop and to return the full revised package to the commission for consideration in May. No formal vote on the code amendments occurred tonight; staff requested the commission treat the packet as preliminary and for discussion only.","Commission discussed proposed land development code changes tied to 'monster house' rules and uniform appointment language, agreed to a public workshop and to return the full package later; no formal action taken on code changes tonight.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: continuances, rezoning and development orders from Walton County planning commission

Commission approves Commerce Park PUD amendment to allow a 60‑unit independent living facility

Commission approves NESEUS light-industrial development amid traffic and wetland-impact concerns

Planning commission backs Robinson rezoning to neighborhood commercial; staff found proposal consistent with plan

Walton County planning commission moves land-development-code rewrite to workshop, delays vote