By DOTTY NIST
Proposed changes to regulations for lots within Walton County’s Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone (CDLPZ) are on the agenda for the Walton County Planning Commission’s Jan. 8 meeting, among other items set to be taken up.
The CDLPZ extends 300 feet from the dune lakes and their tributaries. The dune lakes are rare bodies of water that exist in the local area and in only a few other places in the world.
The changes are being proposed for the stated purposes of providing flexibility for property owners in building on their lots and of providing for rebuilding of existing structures in the event they are damaged or destroyed.
Protective regulations were first put in place for Walton County’s dune lakes in 1993 but have not always been enforced as lots on the dune lakes were developed over the years.
There is no proposal to change the current requirement for a 100-foot buffer setback from the dune lakes and their tributaries within which no development is allowed. However, for new construction, the current proposal is to change the percentage of a dune lake lot that is allowed to be cleared from 25 percent to 50 percent. This would apply to the portion of the lot outside of the 100-foot buffer, and the 50 percent would include the building footprint and other cleared areas, including driveway and parking areas.
Also proposed is allowing the rebuilding of current structures to the same footprint in the event they are destroyed by fire or storm.
The proposed changes were the topic of a Dec. 16 forum hosted by the South Walton Community Council (SWCC) at the Coastal Branch Library at which some members of the community group expressed concern about potential impacts of the changes.
A recommendation by the Walton County Planning Commission will be the first step in the approval process for any changes to the CDLPZ requirements. The planning board meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Jan. 8 and take place at the South Walton Annex. These meetings are open to the public.
A final determination on the proposed changes will be the responsibility of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners in public session.
