Seagrove Villas to be torn down

[Bham2beach]

Hello, All. I've been reading this board for a couple of months now and have found it to be great for keeping up with what's going on down 30A way. Thanks to all of you! I read the article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution today that is mentioned in another post and noticed that the Seagrove Villas have been sold and are to be torn down to provide a beach access for the development across the road. Though I have never stayed there, I always thought the Villas added a little touch of nostalgia and atmosphere to 30A and I have been surprised that no one has commented on the plans to tear them down. I guess I really don't know how old they are but have always assumed they were built in the 40's or 50's. I know that the only constant is change and that is has been proven time and again that there is no standing in the way of "progress" but I was wondering about the lack of reaction to this news. Is it old news posted from before my time or does no one really care?

[30A Skunkape]

Old news, dead horse beaten, but it still sucks. By the way, welcome! Post early and often.

[DD]

It's a sore spot with our darling Kathy. :( :wub:

I totally agree with you though that it added so much to 30A. Loved driving by and seeing the sign. What a shame. :(

[Smiling JOe]

This is where it will get interesting. Yes, some of it is old news, but the kicker, according to the Comprehensive Planning Code, since this property is zoned Residential, yet grandfathered in as commercial, if the existing buildings on the property are destroyed by more than 50% in value, by man or nature, the use under which they are grandfathered, reverts back to the current use, which is residential. In this particular case, they would not be allowed to build more than four residential homes (four lots of record). It is the law!!! Why these people forgot about that is beyond me. Maybe their attorney is hoping to shove it up the butts of the County Commissioners.

Even the County Commissioners, who approved the project, are aware of the potential loss of the grandfathered use, because as I understand it, they brought it up in another case on Tuesday night. In fact, Scott Brannon was the one bringing it up and Commissioner Commander agreed.

Supposedly, construction will start on this project in Sept. However, I will be highly interested in seeing how they build all of the condos and beach club without expanding the footprint and square footage of the existing buildings, and how they will tear apart the existing building without decreasing the building's value by more than 50%.

[JB]

It's a sore spot with our darling Kathy. :( :wub: )

....and me too. I have spent some of the best weekends of my life there. My first real "beach trip" with my wife was there. We had cottage A-2. When they knocked down Silver Beach in Destin, SVM was the closest thing to Old Florida you could get. I can say this now that the place is about to to be gone, but I had sex in the pool there more than once (too much info? Sorry.) No other place on 30-A had the same feel. Heck, my parents stayed there 40 years ago.

I think mid-August is it. I desperately want one more weekend. But alas, with a pregnant wife and a two-year-old, it probably won't happen. At least I have memories.

The grass, the hammocks, the pool, the office, the picnic tables....the beach - it is all special.

A toast for The Villas (and the Wheelehouse while I'm at it). :cry:

[SHELLY]

I know that the only constant is change and that is has been proven time and again that there is no standing in the way of "progress" but I was wondering about the lack of reaction to this news.

Over the last few years, our 'diamond in the rough' has been relentlessly chiseled and polished as they attempted to turn it into a priceless and sparkling diamond...but what has emerged is a $71.95 QVC Diamonique® (available on 2 month Easy Pay).

:idontno: Quite simply...it just doesn't matter anymore.



.

[30A Skunkape]

Well, JB, I must admit I will always think of you when I drive past the good old Villas:blink: :lol:

[Beach Runner]

This is where it will get interesting. Yes, some of it is old news, but the kicker, according to the Comprehensive Planning Code, since this property is zoned Residential, yet grandfathered in as commercial, if the existing buildings on the property are destroyed by more than 50% in value, by man or nature, the use under which they are grandfathered, reverts back to the current use, which is residential. In this particular case, they would not be allowed to build more than four residential homes (four lots of record). It is the law!!! Why these people forgot about that is beyond me. Maybe their attorney is hoping to shove it up the butts of the County Commissioners.

Even the County Commissioners, who approved the project, are aware of the potential loss of the grandfathered use, because as I understand it, they brought it up in another case on Tuesday night. In fact, Scott Brannon was the one bringing it up and Commissioner Commander agreed.

Supposedly, construction will start on this project in Sept. However, I will be highly interested in seeing how they build all of the condos and beach club without expanding the footprint and square footage of the existing buildings, and how they will tear apart the existing building without decreasing the building's value by more than 50%.
So what can we do to stop the continual raping of 30-A as we once knew it? I just :puke: every time I drive through the area west of Grayton and see how that area has become "Little Destin." I will be glad to write letters and attend meetings. I've done quite a bit of that lately.

[goodwitch58]

I just hope Nature Walk beachclub isn't the one to challenge the height rule and find a way around the grandfathering by building a highrise...we need to keep close watch on the CC meetings to make sure that doesn't happen...:eek:

[Smiling JOe]

You can email reminders of the section of the Comp Plan to all the County Commissioners and remind them that Nature Walk will be in violation if they diminish the value of the buldings at any time, by more than 50%, and that by the Comp Plan, they will lose their grandfather clause allowing for commercial use, and the property will return to four residential lots.

I wonder if it would be worth it to pool together a little money and pay for an appraiser to appraise the value of the buildings today and after the demo, so that we have evidence to show of the diminished value being more than 50%.

[goodwitch58]

Great Idea! We might even find an appraiser that could do some pro bono work.

[DD]

....and me too. I have spent some of the best weekends of my life there. My first real "beach trip" with my wife was there. We had cottage A-2. When they knocked down Silver Beach in Destin, SVM was the closest thing to Old Florida you could get. I can say this now that the place is about to to be gone, but I had sex in the pool there more than once (too much info? Sorry.) No other place on 30-A had the same feel. Heck, my parents stayed there 40 years ago.

I think mid-August is it. I desperately want one more weekend. But alas, with a pregnant wife and a two-year-old, it probably won't happen. At least I have memories.

The grass, the hammocks, the pool, the office, the picnic tables....the beach - it is all special.

A toast for The Villas (and the Wheelehouse while I'm at it). :cry:

Awww....JB.....I'm sorry. You do have some wonderful memories of the place. Some more wonderful than others...;-)
Being a "tourist", I know there's not much I can do, but oh man, if I lived there, I'd be having a big ole sit in on that grass!!

[seacrestkristi]

I woulda liked to have stayed there at least once but never did. Did eat at the Wheelhouse a lot though. What's happenin' with it? Was it bought up by Naturewalk too? :idontno:

[Smiling JOe]

I know there's not much I can do, but oh man, if I lived there, I'd be having a big ole sit in on that grass!!

Don't be so sure. County Commissioners are reading emails from concerned people. I'm not so sure that they are actually reading them, but they do seem to have someone printing them and categorizing them into for and against piles for many issues. You do have more power than you think. Send emails to the County Commissioners and voice your opinion(s)!

[goodwitch58]

Also, letters to the editor of the local papers, and Op Ed pieces stating your thoughts are powerful tools.

[Mermaid]

Don't be so sure. County Commissioners are reading emails from concerned people. I'm not so sure that they are actually reading them, but they do seem to have someone printing them and categorizing them into for and against piles for many issues. You do have more power than you think. Send emails to the County Commissioners and voice your opinion(s)!

I've e-mailed our Commissioners and got a response back so I'm right with you about how it's definitely not a waste of time to state your concerns.

[DD]

Don't be so sure. County Commissioners are reading emails from concerned people. I'm not so sure that they are actually reading them, but they do seem to have someone printing them and categorizing them into for and against piles for many issues. You do have more power than you think. Send emails to the County Commissioners and voice your opinion(s)!

I've e-mailed our Commissioners and got a response back so I'm right with you about how it's definitely not a waste of time to state your concerns.

I'm on it.

[Smiling JOe]

Here is some good solid information for you to include to the emails, phone calls, and letters, addressed to the Walton County Commissioners.

Seagrove Villas is a non-conforming use of commercial business in a residential neighborhood. I'm still not convinced that by having condos on the property, the property would be commercially used. I thought condos were residential.




Walton County Land Development Code (http://www.sowal.com/bb/8.01.03.%20Termination%20of%20nonconforming%20deve lopment.):


"8.01.02. Continuation of nonconformity.
A. Continuation. Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, any nonconforming lot, structure, use, or sign lawfully existing on the effective date of this Code may be continued so long as it remains otherwise lawful.
Walton County Land Development Code : June 2006 Edition Page 136 of 319 A nonconforming use which is discontinued for more than six months may not be reestablished unless in conformance with this Code and the comprehensive plan. Single family residential lots of record that are nonconforming and cannot meet the minimum site design requirements of Chapter V of this Code without so diminishing the building area so as to render its use for a single family residence unfeasible, may be considered as conforming lots for purposes of construction of a single family home and the setback requirements may be reduced by the minimum extent necessary to accommodate the structure. However, in no case shall the minimum side yard be less than five feet, the minimum rear yard less than ten feet and the minimum front yard be less than 15 feet."
(Smiling JOe -- I believe that means that Nature Walk would have no more than six months from the time that they stop operating the Seagrove Villas until the Nature Walk Beach Club opens. -- not likely to happen)

"E. Burden of Proof.
The burden of establishing that any nonconformity is a legal
nonconformity as established by this Chapter shall, in all cases, be upon the owner of such nonconformity and not upon Walton County."

"B. Expansion of Nonconformity.
No nonconformity shall be enlarged upon, expanded, or extended unless such alteration is in full compliance with all requirements of this code. Normal maintenance and incidental repair of a legal nonconformity shall be
permitted, provided that this does not violate any other section of this Code."



"8.01.03. Termination of nonconforming development.[/B]

A. Nonconforming Structures and Uses. In the event that any nonconforming structure or use is destroyed by any means to the extent of more than 50 percent of the fair market value of the structure before the calamity, such structure or use shall not be restored, rebuilt, or reoccupied for any purpose unless it shall thereafter conform to all regulations of this Code. When such a structure or use is damaged or destroyed to the extent of 50 percent or less of the fair market value, no repairs or rebuilding shall be permitted except in conformity with Section 8.01.02 and other applicable regulations of this Code."

[raven]

Over the last few years, our 'diamond in the rough' has been relentlessly chiseled and polished as they attempted to turn it into a priceless and sparkling diamond...but what has emerged is a $71.95 QVC Diamonique® (available on 2 month Easy Pay).

:idontno: Quite simply...it just doesn't matter anymore.



.
:lolabove: PERFECT shelly!!!

people can't mourn what they never valued.
and there is little understanding about what it is that visitors actually come for here. they think, being from atlanta and all, what you really needed was another store or development, cuz there aren't enough of those back home.

[spinDrAtl]

....I had sex in the pool there more than once (too much info? Sorry.)

But alas, with a pregnant wife and a two-year-old, it probably won't happen. At least I have memories.



Were you two in the pool recently? :rofl:

[jdarg]

Were you two in the pool recently? :rofl:

Apparently so.:floor:

[Franny]

Apparently so.:floor:

I wanted to ask him about the hammock, you know KATHYs' hammock.:yikes: Maybe we don't want to know.:blush:

[BeachSteelers]

I believe there are 2 lawsuits filed against Walton Co. on it's ruling on allowing of Naturewalk beachclub. This fight isn't over yet. And remember come election time that our 3 male commissioners all voted in favor of it while ignoring existing covenants and community outrage. I'm Curious since Compatability is such big issue for the Planning Dept. how a 66,000 sq. ft. building is compatable with single family homes?

[kathydwells]

I wanted to ask him about the hammock, you know KATHYs' hammock.:yikes: Maybe we don't want to know.:blush:

He said POOL Franny!!!!!!!! :eek: I think I might have an opportunity to score me one of those hammocks in the not to distant future. ;-)

[scooterbug44]

I believe there are 2 lawsuits filed against Walton Co. on it's ruling on allowing of Naturewalk beachclub. This fight isn't over yet. And remember come election time that our 3 male commissioners all voted in favor of it while ignoring existing covenants and community outrage. I'm Curious since Compatability is such big issue for the Planning Dept. how a 66,000 sq. ft. building is compatable with single family homes?

It isn't compatible ............. until you start looking under the table, opening closed doors, and into the financing of campaigns! The project also has a higher density than is allowed anywhere in the county!

[Smiling JOe]

It isn't compatible ............. until you start looking under the table, opening closed doors, and into the financing of campaigns! The project also has a higher density than is allowed anywhere in the county!
...and they are expanding the footprint of the buildings, which, by County Code, means that the grandfathered use will have to revert to the current zoning which would allow no more than one unit per lot (a total of four in this case). Also, according to Code, if the buildings' values are diminished by more than fifty percent, they lose the Grandfathered exception for zoning and would have to revert to current density. The developer says that they are not expanding because they will have the same number of units as the current hotel. (When the County Commissioners heard this, they let it slide. What they fail to address is that they are increasing the size of the units. The Code indicates "no expansion." I guess Nature Walk uses a different dictionary, and apparently, so do the Walton County Commissioners.

The State required that the Counties adopt their own Codes, but if the County will not abide by their own Code, could we get the State involved and force the County Commissioners to obey the rules which they swore to uphold?

[scooterbug44]

...and they are expanding the footprint of the buildings, which, by County Code, means that the grandfathered use will have to revert to the current zoning which would allow no more than one unit per lot (a total of four in this case). Also, according to Code, if the buildings' values are diminished by more than fifty percent, they lose the Grandfathered exception for zoning and would have to revert to current density. The developer says that they are not expanding because they will have the same number of units as the current hotel. (When the County Commissioners heard this, they let it slide. What they fail to address is that they are increasing the size of the units. The Code indicates "no expansion." I guess Nature Walk uses a different dictionary, and apparently, so do the Walton County Commissioners.

So there are at least 3 major ways it completely violates some of the most basic zoning regulations? Can't wait for them to explain their approval come re-election time!

[goodwitch58]

Perhaps the Attorney General could investigate....

[TreeFrog]

I believe there are 2 lawsuits filed against Walton Co. on it's ruling on allowing of Naturewalk beachclub. This fight isn't over yet. And remember come election time that our 3 male commissioners all voted in favor of it while ignoring existing covenants and community outrage. I'm Curious since Compatability is such big issue for the Planning Dept. how a 66,000 sq. ft. building is compatable with single family homes?

So, is NatureWalk restrained from demolition until the suits are resolved? If not, they aren't going to help much.

[Smiling JOe]

So, is NatureWalk restrained from demolition until the suits are resolved? If not, they aren't going to help much.According to Walton County Code, if they demo the buildings, they can rebuild only one unit per lot of record. I am still wondering how they are going to pull this one off. I guess they don't think that people actually read the rules.

[BeachSteelers]

I'm not sure whether they can start demolition while these suits are pending. The main point is that 3 county commissioners have sold out it's citizens AGAIN. They must be voted OUT WHEN POSSIBLE. Unfortunately this is Expensive. Anyone wanna help? Cause talk is cheap and lawyers aren't. Our group will accept all donations. Thanks for everyones concern.
Can they demo when a leatherback nest is at the base of its illegal Saewall? Surely it would be disruptive being so close to the nest.

[Miss Kitty]

Has Naturewalk sold any lots/started any houses?

[TreeFrog]

I'm not sure whether they can start demolition while these suits are pending. The main point is that 3 county commissioners have sold out it's citizens AGAIN. They must be voted OUT WHEN POSSIBLE. Unfortunately this is Expensive. Anyone wanna help? Cause talk is cheap and lawyers aren't. Our group will accept all donations. Thanks for everyones concern.
Can they demo when a leatherback nest is at the base of its illegal Saewall? Surely it would be disruptive being so close to the nest.

Agreed this is the "larger issue" and the one for ongoing concern. But the "smaller issue" of the Naturewalk Beach Club isn't exactly trivial.

[TreeFrog]

According to Walton County Code, if they demo the buildings, they can rebuild only one unit per lot of record. I am still wondering how they are going to pull this one off. I guess they don't think that people actually read the rules.

So what exactly does "one unit per lot of record" mean? How many lots are contained in the property? What is a unit?

[Here4Good]

I believe there are 2 lawsuits filed against Walton Co. on it's ruling on allowing of Naturewalk beachclub. This fight isn't over yet. And remember come election time that our 3 male commissioners all voted in favor of it while ignoring existing covenants and community outrage. I'm Curious since Compatability is such big issue for the Planning Dept. how a 66,000 sq. ft. building is compatable with single family homes?

Do you have any other info on those lawsuits?

[BeachSteelers]

No new info on the lawsuits. But they're going forward. Not sure when it is to be before a judge but the sooner the better.

[BeachSteelers]

Agreed this is the "larger issue" and the one for ongoing concern. But the "smaller issue" of the Naturewalk Beach Club isn't exactly trivial.

Not sure what you mean. None of this is trivial especially the money being spent to fight our County to do what is required by law.

[Smiling JOe]

So what exactly does "one unit per lot of record" mean? How many lots are contained in the property? What is a unit?The property consists of four single family residential lots, and one unit, in this case, means one home per lot.

[TreeFrog]

The property consists of four single family residential lots, and one unit, in this case, means one home per lot.

That's it. Thanks.