The number of new developments in South Walton continues to rise with County Commissioners approving seven at a recent board meeting.
The one drawing the most discussion was Ocean Estates, a 25-lot single-family residential community to be constructed on 8.29 acres on Thompson Road.
While most homeowners in the surrounding community offered no opposition to the developer, ones on Golf Club Drive did, with one resident calling the proposed homes incompatible.
The resident suggested moving one of the houses onto Palmer Lane, relocate two of the driveways, or reduce the number of homes to be built by one home. Reducing by one home would open up a preservation area where children could play, he noted.
Several homeowners in nearby Country Club Hills, made up of 1/2-acre lots, asked for nine conditions to be met as Ocean Estates will have a big impact on its neighborhood.
Attorney Gary Shipman stated that a number of meetings were held with the community and 21 owners signed off on the development.
"Moving the driveways out onto Thompson Road is not practical," said Shipman. "You can't negotiate forever. It's time to move on. We agreed to buy out 25 percent and fix the stormwater problems they have in their own community."
However, District 1 Commissioner Sara Comander told Shipman that what was being requested is a very small request in the grand scheme of things.
District 3 Commissioner Melanie Nipper agreed.
"Moving a drive way is not asking you to move a home," she told Shipman.
Jamie O'Rourke, a partner in the development, agreed to move the driveway as long as it didn't cost him another month. He also offered to move one lot to Nicklaus Court and turn another.
The development was approved with changes. Commissioners also approved:
• Eden's Landing subdivision on more than 11 acres on the left side of County Road 395N.
• Grand Point Estates, where D.R. Horton will plat eight residential lots on just over an acre on the south side of the intersection of Grand Point Drive north and Dulce Lane.
• Forest View Village Office Complex, consisting of an 18,000-square-feet office building on the north side of U.S. 98 on Serenoa Road.
• San Roy Sands, three single-family lots on just over half an acre on Beachside Drive.
• Rolling Dunes, which will be Village Mixed Use on two parcels on County Road 83 and 30A at the northwest corner of the intersection. It will have a restaurant and condos on the second floor. The developer will put in sidewalks on both sides of the road.
• South Walton Commerce Park, near the sports park and elementary school on Serenoa Road will consist of three buildings of warehouse storage.