By DOTTY NIST
Plans involving the redevelopment of Beachwalk Plaza in Miramar Beach recently went before the Walton County Scenic Corridor Design Review Board (DRB) for aesthetics-related consideration and got a nod from the board members.
The board met on May 8 at the South Walton Annex.
Beachwalk Plaza is located at the corner of U.S. 98 and Scenic Gulf Drive.
Tim Brown of Walton County Planning and Development Services explained that the plans called for the existing Winn-Dixie on the 4.53-acre property to be demolished, with the grocery store to be relocating to the shopping plaza to the west. Brown said a stand-alone CVS Pharmacy is to replace the Winn-Dixie at Beachwalk Plaza, with a Chick-fil-A to be constructed on the east corner of the property. Square footage for the two buildings is to total 17,000 square feet, which will represent an overall reduction in square footage for the plaza, he noted.
Dean Burgis of Emerald Coast Associates was agent for the applicant.
After some discussion, the proposal was approved with conditions on a motion by DRB member David Bailey, with conditions to be complied with prior to the proposal proceeding to the Walton County Planning Commission. The conditions were the following: to-scale floor plans to be provided for the Chick-fil-A; roof pitch for the Chick-fil-A to be four on 12; eaves for the Chick-fil-A to be a minimum of 12 inches in height; spacing/height of canopy trees in the Scenic Corridor landscape buffer to meet Scenic Corridor Standards; spacing/height of understory trees in the Scenic Corridor landscape buffer to meet Scenic Corridor Standards; percentage of interior landscape area to be indicated on the drawing to be at least 10 percent; and drawings to confirm a continuous hedge in the landscape buffer.
Burgis agreed to have the plans modified to meet the conditions prior to the May 15 planning commission meeting. After review by the planning commission, the proposal will undergo final consideration by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.
In other action at the May 8 meeting, a new DRB chairman and vice chairman were selected by the members. Tim Norris is to serve as chairman, David Bailey as vice chairman.
