By BEN GRAFTON
At the 7 p.m. Freeport Planning Board meeting on June 1, City Planner Latilda Henninger introduced a new commercial development permit application submitted by Agape Vacation Rentals of Destin, Inc. The proposed project calls for construction of two buildings on a Blueberry Road parcel of approximately 0.6 acres.
Project spokesman and engineer Edwin Stanford, of Core Engineering & Consulting in Destin presented the application which includes survey information, an environmental assessment and engineering drawings with site plan information to the Planning Board. The first building erected will be a small commercial warehouse to be used for storage by the developers. A second building to be used as a woodworking shop will be added at a later date.
Project discussion turned to the requirement for installation of a lock box that would contain a key to give emergency entry to fire department or police personnel in the event of an incident. Board member Ronnie Brannon questioned whether or not this provision should be enforced in view of the added exposure it would give to thieves and vandals. Other members of the board said they understood Brannon’s concern. Stanford said he did not think the lock box requirement was a good policy. In view of these comments Henninger said she would take this subject up with Fire Chief Ben Greenslait, and other city officials.
The board approved a motion to send the application to the City Council with a recommendation for approval.