Letters to the Editor, Opinion

Respect the existing land use development code

March 14, 2019 | Staff Reporters

Jamie Gentry’s article last week, “Duplex Rezoning Request Denied” couldn’t have been further from the truth! This action was never about “affordable housing.” As Brett Ramsey told the BOCC, “this development will raise $4.0 to $4.5 million in property values for the county.” As I pointed out in my remarks to the BOCC, “…if you do the math, for 22 duplexes (proposed at simple fee purchase) that equates to about $200,000 per individual duplex. Not exactly what I would call ‘affordable…’”. Couple that with about 44-55 vehicles on a 600’ long road (300’ west of Panhandle Trail), across 11 duplex units with shared driveways, you’re looking at a massive parking problem; especially since most of those duplex owners will, most assuredly, enclose their one-car garages to get more interior living space.

This rezoning action was really about a real-estate developer who paid top dollar for three uniquely situated (and available) lots (abutting each other north-south between Ridge Drive and Quail Roost Road). These lots afforded him the opportunity for a financial windfall by dropping in a cross-street and building 11 duplexes, with 22 units, at $200,000 a unit.

This rezoning request was for a duplex development within an established, interior, R1 zoned, single-family neighborhood in Navarre. What Jamie Gentry’s headline should have said was “Navarre Residents Stop Developer’s R2/Duplex Rezoning Encroachment!”

She quotes Ramsey’s reference to the District 4 Draft Master Plan on the need for additional affordable housing within Navarre. A position with which I, and my neighbors, do not take exception. However, she fails to mention, as I did at the BOCC hearing, that same document’s recommendation on a multi-family residential housing district in Navarre East: “… supports residential development ranging from single-family detached units to triplex residences. The district is located south of US 98. The parcels generally extend from US98 south to the Santa Rosa Sound.”

It is high time that the Santa Rosa County Zoning Board, and south-end developers, begin respecting the existing Land Use Management Code, and the desires of the Navarre citizenry as expressed in the District 4 Draft Master Plan.

Thomas J. “TJ” Doherty

Navarre

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