BEACHLAND BLOG

PCB Copies Walton's "Leave No Trace" Policy

2010-01-26T13:58:00.002-06:00

PCB moving to ban beach tents after sunset as it copies Walton Leave No Trace policy

January 26, 2010 1:55 PM
By PAT KELLY, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The city is moving forward to ban the overnight use of sand tents – or canopies – along the beach.

City Council members approved a new ordinance this month that would require all personal property to be removed from the beach overnight, beginning one hour after sunset.

The approval came on the first reading of the ordinance, so the issue will come up again for final approval. Mayor Gayle Oberst said Monday that the new rules should be in place by the beginning of Spring Break.

“It was really needed for a couple of reasons,” Oberst said. “They were really interfering with cleaning and raking the beach. They also confused the nesting sea turtles, which we have to always be concerned with.”

The ordinance would not only ban unattended beach tents overnight, but also other “tangible personal property” such as cabanas, volleyball nets, beach chairs, floats and other watercraft.

The issue came to a head last summer when city officials counted over 700 of the tents on the beach within the city limits in one evening, Oberst said.

The ordinance — similar to a “Leave No Trace” ordinance in Walton County — says the city can remove any personal property found two hours after sunset and dispose of the property within 72 hours.

Exemptions are included for trash containers, lifeguard stands and beach chairs used in lawful beach commerce, such as the many venders which provide services for Panama City Beach tourists.

To reclaim the property, an owner would have to show proof of ownership and pay a removal and storage fee.

City officials say the proliferation of tents last year not only hindered emergency services but obstructed maintenance crews, confused nesting sea turtles and posed a danger from the tents blowing around during high winds.

“If it was just a few it would be different,” Oberst said. “But people were just leaving them on the beach, often just to mark their spot.”

Maintenance crews have only a short time each morning and early evening to rake the sand and pick up trash along the beach, officials said.

Once the ordinance is given final approval, Oberst said city officials will write a letter to resorts and condo associations, informing them of the action.

“It will be an education process for all the clerks and resort employees,” she said.

Work to begin Monday on Big Redfish Lake pedestrian bridge

2010-01-21T13:50:00.002-06:00

January 20, 2010 8:34 PM
Angel McCurdy, Florida Freedom Newspapers

BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH — A stretch of Walton County Road 30A should soon become safer for pedestrians, as construction of the Big Redfish Lake pedestrian bridge begins.

Work is set to start Monday and last 120 days, said Nolan Baker, project manager for CDG Engineers & Associates.

The bridge will be within CR 30A’s right of way in Blue Mountain Beach. The bride is part of the multi-use path that is used by thousands of cyclists, skaters runners and walkers during the season.

“Basically, the Big Redfish Lake bridge goes against (CR) 30A,” Baker said. “It’s going to make walking a lot safer for pedestrians.”

The center of the crossing will be made up of two weathered, 8-foot-wide steel pedestrian bridges. Eight-foot-wide timber boardwalks will be used for the approaches to the steel span, Baker said.

The work will cause some temporary lane closures on CR 30A). Any anticipated closures will be publicized beforehand.

Ryan Douglas, Walton County’s construction engineer manager for public works, said the project has been planned for years.

“We’re just excited about moving along with the project,” Douglas said. “Currently, pedestrians are forced to walk out right next to the roadway with no barrier.”

Local Citrus is Ready

2009-12-16T13:37:00.007-06:00

Our neighbors have a "citrus grove" in their backyard. Trees that produce tangerines, blood oranges, large grapefruit (pictured), lemons and limes. All the trees are full of fruit this year and our thoughtful neighbors keep us stocked with sweet ripe citrus...mmmm.

This summer we planted out first citrus tree, clementine, and our loquat trees should be producing fruit for the first time this spring. Loquat fruit are smaller than a golf ball and taste like a combination of pear, apple and peach.

Here along the Emerald Coast, we are in Hardiness Zone 8b for plants. Go to http://www.beachland.net/ under "Community Info" to see the Hardiness Zone Map and read more information about Zone 8b.

Hope you will be enjoying some sweet citrus fruit this winter!

Santa Claus at Bay Elementary

2009-12-15T10:36:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas 2009. I'm looking forward to seeing Santa tonight at Bay Elementary in Point Washington. My daughter has a list for Santa to take back to the North Pole. See you tonight at my dinner with Santa. Visit www.beachland.net for more community events.

October 2009 Sales Up Over This Time Last Year

2009-11-03T14:22:00.004-06:00

Sales of homes in South Walton are up 24% from this time last year.

Homesites up 44%, Condos up 37%, and Townhomes up 44%

Visit http://www.beachland.net/ to see the data and what sold in October.

Southwest Airlines coming to Northwest Florida's New International Airport

2009-10-22T13:40:00.004-05:00

Great news for our area! The new international airport is currently under construction and scheduled to open May 2010. Go to our homepage, http://www.beachland.net/ to read the entire press release from Southwest Airlines.

New Searches on WWW.BEACHLAND.NET

2009-10-15T08:26:00.005-05:00

Visit my homepage to search foreclosure, pre-foreclosure, short sale and REO properties in South Walton, Destin and all over the United States.

September 2009 Sales Up Over 2008

2009-10-15T08:23:00.002-05:00

Homes UP 21%
Homesites UP 38%
Condos UP 27%
Townhomes UP 47%

Visit www.beachland.net to view all the data.

Whale Sharks at Grayton Beach - August 2009

2009-08-12T20:14:00.004-05:00

To view the video, go to our homepage: www.beachland.net.

Over 60% Sold by Jonathan...

2009-08-03T13:22:00.013-05:00

2 out of the 3 properties sold this year in Magnolia Cottages by the Sea were listed with Jonathan Roberts.

Those are some strong statistics!

Call Jonathan today to list and sell your property.

Dream Home...Short Sale!

2009-05-29T20:59:00.004-05:00

Professional negotiator already working on this listing. Located on over a quarter acre of land, 556 Little Canal Road is a great home at a great price. The home features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths with an office downstairs and master suite on the 1st floor. This warm and inviting home offers an open floor plan and has been well maintained.

PRIME Waterfront Lots Now Available

2009-05-07T07:55:00.006-05:00

Lot 35, Block 9 Little Canal Road is located in the Point Washington subdivision of Daughette. Daughette is directly north of Grayton Beach (only a 5 min. drive). It is the best canal front lot in the entire subdivision - situated at the mouth of Little Canal and offering deep water for boating and a great bay view. It is also a few minutes drive from Seaside, Watercolor and all of the other beach communities along Hwy 30-A. No association dues or build out time. The lot next door is for sale, too. If you combine Lot 35 and Lot 34 they total more than 512 waterfront feet!
Lot 34, Block 9 is a large oversized lot with a 40 ft. wide boat slip already built and seawall on the property. The owner has recently dredged along the boat slip. The seawall is only a couple of years old. Click here for more information on these and other properties.

SOLD...Another Satisified Customer

2009-04-21T09:05:00.005-05:00

This condo unit was under contract for only 16 days. Here's the seller's testimonial:
We were very pleased with Jonathan's care of us. We felt like he gave us good advice throughout the entire process. Things went very easy for us- especially the parts we were not familiar with. We highly recommend Jonathan for any real estate transaction you might have.
-Gary, Hattiesburg, MS

Just listed...and what a view!

2009-04-15T17:22:00.004-05:00

This unique unit is listed at an unbelievable price: $669,000. Tranquillity on the Beach is a gulf front condo that has a gated entrance, gulf front pool and direct beach access. It is a west end unit and rented out last year for over $19,000. Click here to learn more about this and other properties.

Let the Blogging Begin...

2009-04-15T14:26:00.003-05:00

The Jonathan Roberts Team wants to officially welcome you to our blog. We will post the latest real estate news and other information regarding South Walton County beaches and the Emerald Coast of Florida. Thanks for visiting. To search area properties please visit our website.