It is extremely easy to be seduced by the magic and rustic charm of one of the fastest growing regions in NW Florida.  The pristine and quaint ambience of south Walton and its beautiful beaches embraces ones sense of peace and beauty – and rarely loosens its grip.  It is an area that is still in the process of defining itself as it seeks to develop and protect its unique character.  It is not an easy proposition and one that will be ongoing as the community seeks to preserve that which drew people to its beaches in the first place.

For the most part south Walton began the maturation process to becoming a distinctive destination upon the creation of the Seaside community and the national acclaim it received.  The 13 beach communities comprising south Walton were further propelled into national prominence in 1994 when Dr. Stephen Leatherman, Director of the University of Maryland's Laboratory for Coastal Research, named Grayton Beach the "Best Beach in the Nation" among a list of 650 beaches in the U.S.  This became a catalyst for driving eco-tourism and growth, the likes the area has never seen.

But the impact of the growth in south Walton is also driving the economic engine for the rest of the county.  So some leaders avoid a characterization of “South Walton” and feel that it is better to use the lower case “s” in “South”.

Pamela Tedesco is the President of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce and insists they are one county.  “South Walton” doesn’t’ exist as far as the Chamber is concerned,” she says.  “The beach area is currently experiencing the majority of the growth explosion.  But the county’s overall growth isn’t limited to this area – its most definitely spilling over to Freeport and up to DeFuniak Springs.”

“Business activity in south Walton Is the engine that drives most of the Walton County’s economy,” says Tom Powell, Executive Director of the Walton County Economic Council.  “Growth in south Walton is rapidly changing the center of gravity of Walton County towards the beaches.  Within a few years the majority of the population of Walton County will live south of Freeport.”

On the western portion of south Walton resides the most compelling examples of the shifting center of gravity. The Silver Sands Outlet Mall along Highway 98 employs 1,400 while the Sandestin Resort complex is the county’s largest single employer with 800. 

Data provided by the Haas Center of the University of West Florida shows a population growth from 27,760 in Walton County in the 1990 census to 41,703 in 2001, an increase of 50.2%.  This compares to a figure of 19.9% for neighboring Okaloosa County.  And with the population comes the housing.  The Haas Center further reports dramatic housing growth showing a whopping 82.1% growth in new unit sales (residential housing, single family, condo or townhome) from the second quarter of 2000 to 2001 while other counties ranged from  a –17% dip from 2000 (Santa Rosa) to 14.2% (Bay County).  Real Estate is predicted to be one of fastest growing industries in the county.

Real Estate offices are adapting to this growth and setting up offices in the area according to Donna Rupp, a realtor with Keller Williams.  She cites impressive sales figures provided by the Emerald Coast Board of Realtors multiple listing service which not only indicate growth but also a more affluent customer.  “In 1995, ten condominium units sold in excess of $350,000 in south Walton,” she says.  “In 2000, 146 condo units sold above that luxury price.  Single-family homes showed the same phenomenal trend.  In 1995, 188 homes sold for an average price of $221,500.  In 2000, this figure grew to 397 homes sold with an average sales price of $340,000.”

While the pristine beaches may be the major draw for development along the coastal area not all of the land is available for development.  Approximately 40% of the land mass in south Walton is owned by the state according to Trisha Chason of the South Walton Tourist Development Council, thus ensuring sustainment of natural buffers and seemingly providing insurance against “development creep”.  This 25,000 acres offers a haven for native wildlife such as deer and fox and endangered species like the Gopher Tortoise and the Red Cockaded Woodpecker. A part of this undeveloped land is within Point Washington State Forest, a 15,180-acre tract purchased by the state in 1992.

But efforts to protect against creeping development go back to the late 40s. The rustic Four Mile Village community is a throwback to the old beach communities of days gone by but literally sits in the shadows of the extreme eastern end of the towering Tops’l resort complex – a portrait of stark contrast.  Four Mile Village Inc., was created by Dorothy Coffeen after the Army vacated its testing facilities in 1947 (some bunkers and sled tracks are still visible).  By drawing up a series of provisions restricting land development into the covenants of the association and later willing the management of the area to the Sierra Club Foundation Dorothy Coffeen established the Coffeen Preserve and a significant buffer against development.   However, Four Mile Village, Inc. has had to contend with various encroachments over the years as development has increased in the area.

Notwithstanding the benefit of protected natural buffers south Walton’s rapid growth has led to a myriad of issues ranging from leash laws to transportation.  With a watchful eye on the lessons learned by the city of Destin, county commissioners are tackling problems along several fronts while still trying to preserve the area’s natural beauty and charm.

Walton County Commissioners Tim Pauls (District 5) and Lane Rees (District 1) have districts encompassing the area south of Choctawhatchee Bay (District 1 also runs north to I-10). 

“The challenges are providing for infrastructure (water, waste water, transportation system) required for growth,” states Commissioner Rees.   “Health care is improving with the new Sacred Heart Hospital (related feature Jul-Aug 2002) and continued improvement in services provided should occur as the hospital and related office building is completed.  The new government annex, Coastal Branch Library, Chamber Foundation Building, etc. will each improve service to residents and visitors.”

Commissioner Pauls also sees the infrastructure issue as a major task.   “Infrastructure is a major challenge, along with affordable housing,” he says.   “In my opinion, we have built past our ability to evacuate all the people who could be in our area in the event of a fast moving hurricane.   Growth Management will be a major concern in order to be able to continue to have the quality of life and quality of “vacation” in our paradise!”

Commissioner Pauls notes imminent improvements to the water and sewer due to an $8 million dollar improvement plan that has been developed.  He also cites a recent storm water management plan that he believes will help the community understand what can be done to preserve the quality of the bay, inland lakes and rivers.  Given that the area’s  charm is attributed to the waters of the beaches, lakes and bay there has emerged several organizations fervently committed to their preservation.

The Beach to Bay Connection is challenging the development of Grayton Grand, a mixed-use project consisting of a hotel, condominium, retail center, and conference center located along the eastern side of County Road 283 north of 30A.  The group’s leader, Celeste Cobena, argues that the 3.2 acres of wetlands on the proposed project would be destroyed by the storm water runoff ponds, which would eventually flow into one of the coastal dune lakes and the aquifer.

Another issue pertaining to the coastal dune lakes is how they are used by boaters.  Presently no personal watercraft are allowed on any of the coastal dune lakes.  But recent recommendations by the Coastal Dune Lakes Advisory Board to limiting motorized access have now raised opposition by the lakes homeowners who feel that the board has gone too far and that recreational benefits will be unduly curtailed.

Preservation of the area’s charm is at the heart of the community leaders concerns while ensuring that fair and balanced growth guided by proper land use is available to development.  Commissioner Pauls recently met with residents and emphasized the importance of code enforcement.  In an interview with the Walton Log he stated, “The problem with code enforcement is it’s been complain driven, complaint-only driven. And so when that happens, it’s used by one individual against another basically to get whatever it is they want or to retaliate or whatever.”  

But not all development concerns are located in Walton County.  The Walton County commission recently filed a complaint against a project along Hwy 98 in neighboring Okaloosa County. The complaint was filed against the Destin Commons project slated for a 184-acre parcel at the corner of Hwy 98 and Danny Weurffel Way, which crosses the Mid-bay bridge and is only 1 ½ miles west of the Walton County line.  The project includes one million square feet of for retail, restaurants, hotel and condominiums.  The Walton County commissioners are concerned that the traffic studies used by the developers were flawed because they did not account for future growth and leave doubt as to the consequences for Walton County.

Traffic is a major concern and the crunch experienced during the height of the tourist season is major test of patience and Walton County doesn’t want the problem inching its way further eastward.  Major expansion projects for Hwy 98 are underway between Sandestin Beach Resort and County Road 30-A and between 30-A and Hwy 331.  The work is presently behind schedule due in part to an 80 day delay when the Department of Environmental Protection halted work due to a conflict about nearby wetlands locations.

As a way to help alleviate traffic and to foster a connectedness with the natural surroundings a series of bike paths and trails run through and along Hwy 30-A.  The South Walton Tourist Development Council maintains the numerous beach access paths to ensure that visitors are able to get to the beach whether they are staying on the beach or not. 

As the baby boomers approach retirement many of them are finding south Walton to be a choice retirement location.  This age group is one of the main target groups for developers especially with Arvida, which is building out the WaterColor project adjacent to Seaside.  With a growing and aging population the need for a medical facility became a necessary linchpin to the St Joe/Arvida strategy of capturing the boomer market.  St Joe recently donated a 77-acre parcel along Hwy 98 for the new Sacred Heart Hospital, which is presently being constructed.  A new air ambulance service will be based nearby as well giving the area a much needed facility and increase the area’s appeal as a retirement area.

Tom Dodson, Vice President of Sales at Arvida’s WaterColor project and the Chairman of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce is optimistic about the county’s ability to manage the growth.  By adhering to community guidelines he sees the county presenting the type of community look and feel that the Baby Boomer generation is seeking as they migrate to Florida.  “This group of people are looking for coastal communities, ones that are small and offer the quality of life, education, security and culture they desire,” he says.  He further stated that environmental concern and balanced growth would be critical to ensuring this type of community prospers.