BEFORE YOU DIG

Grayton has lots of underground utilities including TV/internet cables, gas lines, phone lines, and electrical lines. Before you DIG please call 811 annd the companies will come out and mark where the lines are. There is no cost for this service.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Fishing Anyone?

Fishing For Snapper at Grayton Beach

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/snapper-5542-season-grayton.html

Sept. 28th Meeting Update


I have been informed that Ms. Jones was indeed at the Commissioner's Meeting on the 28th. I had on my close up reading glasses as I was reading my talking points from my IPAD and I certainly didn't see her up there. There were lots of folks, some standing, some moving behind the desk...so I guess I missed her and without my normal viewing glasses (which I left at home) I can't see clearly. So I now have to eat my words on her missing meeting. The vote didn't change...we still only got one vote that opposed the change and that was from Ms. Comander.

I received an email from Ms. Jones this morning and she explained why she voted as she did (she voted for the change) which I think you deserve to hear because she does represent our area and she did take the time to explain her vote. Again, my mistake.

"Ann, I took this process very seriously as well. I received emails and phone calls from people about many of the suggested changes and read and listened to them. I appreciate yovr involvement in the process and I did read your emails prior to the meeting. I weighed all the input from constituents and staff, In my opinion, in regards to this particular request, the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) designation would actually hold these properties to a higher standard than they are currently being held. (NC ) puts restrictions on the type and intensity of what can be developed on those parcels; where as residential Preservation does not have those same restrictions. I honestly feel that it is in the interest of the community for those parcels to be held to a higher standard. I discussed this request in detail with staff and also did research prior to reaching my decision. I just wanted to explain that my decision was not reached arbitrarily or facetiously. Again, I sincerely thank you for your input and involvement throughout this process.
Best regards

Cecilla"




Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Grayton Beach Neighborhood Board Meeting October 5th


The Grayton Beach Neighborhood Association has a Board Meeting scheduled for October 5th. If you have anything that you would like for us to discuss or any future Agenda items....please feel free to contact me @ yzarctoo@aol.com


I will be happy to pass them on to the Board and respond back to you after our meeting.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Four More Commercial Lots for Defuniak

Tonight our County Commissioners voted for the four lot changes from Residential to Neighborhood Commercial. There was no discussion among them, it was just a quick vote among many quick votes and then it was done. Our only positive vote came from Ms. Comander. Our Commissioner for our area, Ms. Jones was still absent due to a family illness. I left the meeting very disappointed, I think I might have felt a little better if the Commissioners had talked among themselves before taking a vote. That way, I would have known (or at least thought) that they had listened to our comments, and had read our letters. I also think that we deserved to hear their reason for their vote. I think they owed us that at least. So as of today, Grayton gained four more commercial lots on Defuniak.

Positive note: the changes in wording for Neighborhood Commercial mentioned in early post were approved in the County Comprehensive Plan.
link: http://graytonbeachflorida.blogspot.com/2010/09/nc-neighborhood-comercial-changes.html

Friday, September 24, 2010

Sept 28th County Commissioner's Meeting Agenda

Here's the link to the County Commissioners Agenda for the 28th. They weren't kidding when they said it was going to be a long one. Of course the very last thing that they will deal with are the proposed land changes. I will post the results of the meeting late Tuesday night for those that have been following the proposed Residential to Commercial changes for Defuniak Street.

LINK:
http://www.co.walton.fl.us/archives/47/September%2028%202010%20BCC%20with%20links%201.pdf

Friday, September 17, 2010

Time for a Road Trip


For those owners looking for a little down time...Grayton is really great right now. No crowds, great weather, almost empty beaches, great biking, restaurants aren't crowded...if you can, you really should plan on a little road trip to the neatest spot in the world. We are all so lucky to own a piece of this paradise..especially those of us lucky enough to call this home.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Party Photos of the 100 Year old party

Missed the 100 Year Old Party?

The Sun has a nice article along with pictures.

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/beach-5448-rosa-birthday.html

Monday, September 13, 2010

Red Bar Breakfast No More

If you are a fan of breakfast at the Red Bar (which I do every Sunday morning)..mark your calendars ....... they will no longer be serving breakfast after September 19th. They will start up breakfast again in the Spring. They will still be open for lunch and dinner as usual.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

100 Years Santa Rosa Beach

Happy Birthday Santa Rosa Beach

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/beach-5439-rosa-santa.html

Link to the Comprehensive Plan for the County

If you are interested in reading the Walton County Comprehensive Plan here is the link. Suggest that unless you want to do a lot of reading you skip down to the South Walton section.

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2470

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

NC (Neighborhood Commercial) Changes

It was a good meeting today with the Planning Committee a long with some of those that helped to write the plan. Changes agreed upon are noted in red. You can read the original document without the changes after this section. Again, please let your Commissioners know your feelings and or opinions. They meet again on September 28th. I would recommend a certified letter as I am not sure that our emails carry that much weight. (my opinion) Their addresses can be found on the right side of the blog.

Policy L-1.4.4 Neighborhood Commercial (NC): The purpose of this land use category is to designate small areas in proximity to residential areas that will allow for a limited group of commercial uses to serve the needs of those residential areas. All neighborhood commercial uses must be designed in use, scale, character, and intensity to be compatible with, and to protect, the abutting and surrounding residential areas.

(A) Location criteria: The intersection of arterial/collector, collector/collector, and collector/local paved street. However, in areas south of the Choctawhatchee Bay and the Intercoastal Waterway, NC designations shall be limited to those intersection areas described above that are within the designated Scenic Corridors. For purposes of this policy, County Road 83 and County Road 283, south of County Road 30A, shall not be considered as designated Scenic Corridors. This limitation shall not prevent the designation of an existing neighborhood development as NC if such development was lawfully in operation prior to the date of adoption of this amendment, is an ongoing business, or for properties designated Residential Preservation on the adopted Future Land Use Map that were designated on a plat or in covenants and restrictions for non-residential use. However, such designation must meet the compatibility requirements contained herein.

(B) Uses allowed:
1. Allowed neighborhood scale uses: offices, professional services, storefront retail shopping, neighborhood grocery stores, bed and breakfast facilities not to exceed ten (10) lodging rooms, banks, bakeries, cafés, and restaurants without drive-thru facilities.
2. Prohibited uses: Gas stations and convenience stores with or without fuel, bars, and auto repair services, and the like. However, this provision does not preclude restaurants, or other similar allowed uses, from alcohol sales/services during course of business.

(C) Density allowed: Maximum of one (1) dwelling unit per lot, unless developed pursuant to Section (E)(1), below.

(D) Intensity allowed: A maximum FAR of 0.65 (65%) and a maximum ISR of 0.60 (60%).

(E) Special considerations:
1. Live/Work uses are encouraged, so long as the overall density for the development does not exceed four (4) dwelling units per acre and the development must be in scale and character of adjacent residential areas.
2. Outdoor storage, outdoor broadcasting or music, display of goods, or outdoor seating for cafés and restaurants is prohibited, unless specifically approved as part of the development order review process by the Board of County Commissioners on a case-by-case determination of its impact on the abutting neighborhood and where it does not conflict with the Scenic Corridor Guidelines.
3. Size, mass, or scale of uses or structures may be limited to ensure compatibility with adjacent and surrounding neighborhoods.
4. The amount of land that will be designated NC may be limited to ensure that any area proposed for Neighborhood Commercial designation, and the proposed uses thereon, remain at neighborhood scale and character.

Original Before Changes:

Policy L-1.4.4 Neighborhood Commercial (NC): The purpose of this land use category is to designate small areas in proximity to residential areas that will allow for a limited group of commercial uses to serve the needs of those residential areas. All neighborhood commercial uses must be designed in use, scale, character, and intensity to be compatible with, and to protect, the abutting and surrounding residential areas.

(A) Location criteria: The intersection of arterial/collector, collector/collector, and collector/local street. However, in areas south of the Choctawhatchee Bay and the Intercoastal Waterway, NC designations shall be limited to those intersection areas described above that are within the designated Scenic Corridors. This limitation shall not prevent the designation of an existing neighborhood development as NC if such development was lawfully in operation prior to the date of adoption of this amendment, is an ongoing business.

(B) Uses allowed:
1. Allowed neighborhood scale uses: offices, professional services, storefront retail shopping, neighborhood grocery stores, limited lodging not to exceed twenty-five (25) rooms, banks, bakeries, cafés, and restaurants without drive-thru facilities.
2. Prohibited uses: Gas stations and convenience stores with or without fuel, bars, and auto repair services, and the like. However, this provision does not preclude restaurants, or other similar allowed uses, from alcohol sales/services during course of business.

(C) Density allowed: Maximum of one (1) dwelling unit per lot, unless developed pursuant to Section (E)(1), below.

(D) Intensity allowed: A maximum FAR of 0.65 (65%) and a maximum ISR of 0.60 (60%).

(E) Special considerations:
1. Live/Work uses are encouraged, so long as the overall density for the development does not exceed four (4) dwelling units per acre and the development must be in scale and character of adjacent residential areas.
2. Outdoor storage, outdoor broadcasting or music, display of goods, or outdoor seating for cafés and restaurants may be permitted, subject to a case-by-case determination of its impact on the abutting neighborhood and where it does not conflict with the Scenic Corridor Guidelines.
3. Size, mass, or scale of uses or structures may be limited to ensure compatibility with adjacent and surrounding neighborhoods.
4. The amount of land that will be designated NC may be limited to ensure that any area proposed for Neighborhood Commercial designation, and the proposed uses thereon, remain at neighborhood scale and character.

Monday, September 6, 2010

1PM Tuesday 9-7-2010 Public Meeting with Planning Department

Will be attending the Planning Department Meeting tomorrow at 1PM over at the Courthouse Annex where the Planning Department will listen to our concerns about what the County Plan allows Commercial property in a residential area to do. It should be interesting. I got the impression that after this discussion the County Commissioners will be using the information that comes out of the meeting to make their final decisions on the 28th at their Commisioner's Meeting in Defuniak at the Courthouse. I will be posting the results Tuesday afternoon after the meeting. So check back.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Aging Tarballs/ Possible Oil in Bay


FALSE ALARM tar balls are plant matter. YEA
Nope, they are Sea Slugs.

Larry Jackson shared the following:
Sept. 3 2010 ......It looks like a pretty good amount of aging tar balls are at the high water mark on the beach. Must be some of the 25% remaining oil the government said were out there.


Also the following news report on Oil in Bay:
http://www.waltonsun.com/news/kill-5384-fish-inland.html