The Walton County Design Review Board unanimously approved a phase 2 minor development order for an 8,800-square-foot Ace Hardware lawn and garden center on 2.15 acres in District 5.

Tim Brown, planning and development staff, entered the department’s report into the record and said the proposed site is immediately west of an existing shopping center and zoned village mixed use. "The landscape plan was approved in phase 1 and the lighting plan was also approved in phase 1," Brown said.

Dean Burgess of Emerald Coast Associates, representing Ace Hardware, told the board the civil plans control building dimensions where architectural and civil drawings conflicted and that exterior lighting will be limited to entries and exits with fixtures matching the main Ace building. "The civil plans, you know, prevail," Burgess said.

Board members asked whether signage was included; staff and the applicant confirmed the building sign is included in the proposal. Members also confirmed that previously approved foundation plantings and landscaping will be installed with construction and that stone colors will match the existing building.

After discussion, an unidentified member moved to approve the application and the board recorded vocal assent. The board noted no members of the public spoke on the item.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed with the phase 2 construction steps as described in the staff report; the board did not add conditions beyond ensuring the final construction matches approved civil and landscape plans.