2022 District 4 BCC CandiDATE SURVEY

QUESTION #7:

PEOPLE COMPLAIN OFTEN AND LOUDLY ABOUT OVER-DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH WALTON. DO YOU THINK THIS IS A VALID CONCERN AND WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

DAVID BUCHANAN

We are all frustrated with current infrastructure needs our county faces. Issues like traffic, Stormwater management, and parking are significant and valid concerns our citizens have. The county needs to prioritize implementing solutions to these issues immediately to effectively handle our rapidly growing population. In my vision for Walton County we invest in the infrastructure we are going to need 10 to 20 years from now not just for today.

DONNA JOHNS

I absolutely think this is a valid concern. We’ve got to reduce the number zoning changes and the number of variances to only ones that make sense and are absolutely necessary. We must listen to the citizens of Walton County. We are all screaming enough is enough. We would not continue to complain about infrastructure, mobility, and congestion, if we had a plan and executed that plan. We need to focus on our community. Currently, we’re stuck in traffic most of the time. We can’t see around the rows of cars parked on the right of way. We have got to stop allowing Monster Homes to be built in residential neighborhoods. Stormwater issues are everywhere and must be addressed. Our neighborhoods need sidewalks not just for safety, but for the community. This County needs to start listening to the people that live here.

CHARLES GALLOWAY

In any democracy people will always complain about every issue regardless of what side they are on. I think one could argue that some places in South Walton have been “Over-Developed,” however one could also argue that private property owners have the right to develop property that they own as long as they are following the Law and the Land Development Code. I don’t think the Local Government should be making subjective, opinion based decisions on whether or not a development is “the right fit” or not. As a Conservative Republican I am not in favor of big government regulations, especially when it comes to Private Property Rights. The so called “Over-Development” problem could be solved much quicker with education. South Walton is most famous for the its “Master Planned Communities” like Seaside, Watercolor, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, etc. These communities are known and respected worldwide for their “Sustainable Development Practices” and lifestyle. These communities are where everyone wants to be when on vacation and also have the highest property values. We should make more of an attempt to promote sustainable development to our developers and show them that there is much more value in creating developments the way those communities have, rather than just building as many units as possible.

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