MEXICO BEACH — Joel Vaughn was among the fishermen enjoying the brisk, sunny weather Monday morning at Mexico Beach Canal Park.
Vaughn, who spends half the year living in Mexico Beach and maintains a residence in Georgia, said there’s nothing like that stretch of secluded beach from Mexico Beach up to Tyndall Air Force Base.
He has concerns a proposed 195-unit subdivision slated to be built along it will change the ambiance.
“I think it is going to take something way from us,” he said. “We can’t stop it if they want to do it.”
The Bay County Commission Tuesday will consider giving final approval for the project at its meeting that starts at 9 a.m. In November, the commission voted to transmit the proposed large-scale Comprehensive Plan map and text amendment to the state Department of Economic Opportunity for analysis.
Sugar Sands Partners is requesting the zoning change on more than 165 acres, from agriculture and agriculture timberland to mixed-land use zone district. The amendment allows a maximum number of 195 residential units in the conservation/habitation area and 50,000 square feet of non-residential uses in the mixed-use area.
The maximum allowable building height would be 48 feet, and all structures would be required to comply with enhanced noise and vibration reduction standards. The fact the development is in the flight path of Tyndall Air Force Base must be in real estate disclosure notices.
County staff is recommending approval, saying the request is consistent with land development regulations.
“This proposal does not constitute ‘spot’ zoning and is a logical and consistent extension of the zone district in that resident and mixed-use property is located adjacent to the east in the city of Mexico Beach,” the recommendation reads. “The proposed mixed-land use portion of the amendment fronts U.S. 98.”
The amendment would change the land use category on 1,400 feet of prime, secluded Gulf-front property on both sides of U.S. 98, between the western city limits of Mexico Beach and the southeastern portion of Tyndall Air Force Base, including the public entrance to Crooked Island beach.
Mixed feelings: Mexico Beach residents have mixed feelings about the development proposal.
Brent Gonsalves, a snowbird from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, who has been spending winters on Mexico City Beach for 15 years, said he is not opposed to the new development, but he questions the market for the homes.
“Do they have any idea that most of these things don’t fly?” he said. “The one down the street [in St. Joe Beach] didn’t fly too well, the WindMark. They didn’t sell like they thought they were going to. … I’d hate to see it (the woods) get all chopped down, all set up for developing, and nothing happens.”
Carol Tendler, the owner of the nautical-themed gift shop called The Grove on Mexico Beach, said she supports the project, as it calls for single-family residences.
“Homes are great versus condos,” she said. “Everybody likes a deserted beach, but you’ve got to be realistic. That isn’t going to stay forever. They are homeowners. They have a vested interest in keeping that beach pristine.”