[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6395479,"mediaKeyId","2099593-e11add6a20950f475c64a62a9ec9c9ad","parentId",2099593,"title","At a glance: Commissioners adopt subdivision street‑lighting MSBU ordinances, zoning map and small‑scale amendments (Jan. 9)","audioSeconds",229,"startMs",1638000,"endMs",1867000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099593-e11add6a20950f475c64a62a9ec9c9ad&start=1638&end=1867","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099593-e11add6a20950f475c64a62a9ec9c9ad/thumbnail_1638000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6395479/Escambia-County/Florida/At-a-glance-Commissioners-adopt-subdivision-streetlighting-MSBU-ordinances-zoning-map-and-smallscale-amendments-Jan-9","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395479-1779cfff4811529841f869b2c5ee4009/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201938&Signature=fbbgYVgqlrCF1oN5pCCO1lOP6WUJ7OnwcxVWCfPVKI-jyIKkz~Snkj~tdYygQ30hNXWybqB-3IAjrWQPoiCwwGQagRfkeS1EgHgJ0s2AeEgNU8W5YCJX8Mpy~nYtdvhYFDI0nTrsKowKZM0~O64WiFnKO2IAf5OOdL6rwbmH-giZ7D6NaRt~m8zONNgCd1oouahDIhLYiLAvAaiD9Yprj-ypxbvWugTR40v9z2WUn2vvVaVEIgmstzCxD-p3UWjNbZ~yNrCq4xF2UltPPQmT8DyR4ufQcBwQSIhGq5shY0rpCO0VJQstYMD~vU9oOl1PuKZUq0m0BwTDP6i58-4nbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Escambia County, FL","date","2025-01-10T15:35:42Z","article","The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 9 approved a package of routine land‑use, planning and administrative items including adoption of municipal service benefit unit (MSBU) ordinances for subdivision street lighting and a slate of planning and map updates. Most measures passed unanimously (5‑0).

Why it matters: The items approved on Jan. 9 clear local procedural and infrastructure steps — including formation of MSBUs that allow the county to fund and maintain subdivision street lighting — and advance planning map updates that affect future development review.

Votes at a glance

- Item 531 — Mallinwood Subdivision street‑lighting MSBU ordinance (public hearing): approved 5‑0. Motion to adopt and waive reading of notice carried; no speakers opposed.

- Item 532 — (Madeline/Mallinwood variant listed on agenda) street‑lighting MSBU ordinance: approved 5‑0.

- Item 534 — Bellevue Point Subdivision street‑lighting MSBU ordinance (public hearing): approved 5‑0.

- Clerk’s report (public official bond for Sheriff Chip Simmons): Clerk explained that Florida law requires a public official bond; a member of the public asked about the $25,000 bond amount and the clerk said the cost to obtain the bond would be minimal (the clerk estimated about $400 for the premium). The board approved the clerk’s report 5‑0.

- Planning and zoning items: the board approved a set of planning actions presented by Growth Management staff, all by 5‑0 votes. These included approval of a rezoning recommended by the planning board (case Z2024…), adoption of the official zoning map, adoption/transmittal of small‑scale amendment 2024‑4, review/transmit of OSP 2024‑3, and review/transmit of a chapter 11 (coastal management) amendment. Final plats for Grove at Bellaterra and Blue Angel Station were approved 5‑0.

- Opt‑out ordinance (item 549) — adoption of an ordinance opting a site out of a sector plan, as requested by the applicant: approved 5‑0.

Public comments and clarifications

A member of the public, Andrew Bloor, questioned the $25,000 public official bond shown for the sheriff and asked why the county did not cover the bond. County staff explained public official bonds are required by state law and are supplemental to the county’s insurance program. The clerk estimated the premium cost to be minimal (approximately $400) and said layered insurance and county self‑insurance cover other risks.

What’s next: These approvals are primarily administrative and enable staff to proceed with implementing MSBU maintenance plans, finalize plats and proceed with the next steps in comprehensive plan/map updates and small‑scale amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BCC Meeting 01/09/25","oneSentenceSummary","On Jan. 9 the Escambia County Board approved multiple routine land‑use and administration items, including three subdivision street‑lighting municipal service benefit unit ordinances and several planning items; most votes were unanimous (5‑0).","taxTitle","Escambia County, Florida","taxId",12773,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6395483,"Escambia commissioners direct staff to negotiate with Beulah Town Center for OLF 8; jobs and timeline drove debate",825,5711000,6536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099593-e11add6a20950f475c64a62a9ec9c9ad&start=5711&end=6536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099593-e11add6a20950f475c64a62a9ec9c9ad/thumbnail_5711000.jpg","/articles/6395483/Escambia-County/Florida/Escambia-commissioners-direct-staff-to-negotiate-with-Beulah-Town-Center-for-OLF-8-jobs-and-timeline-drove-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395483-3d41cb001d48b2cfede2c2a54d06d004/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201938&Signature=egXE9pEZwAFPgtsiubxcK~ziJzJvZKwWvcjcNg1GtK7rm8ZQd9Qa3UI92jt1U1cJwoVZe0XIiUfQy0~Z1tOCrsPbhVV232lBYKXlSKKaX-AGlQ6KJqCWvAwcXl2w87CUoK0dt-TDVAFuBA2U6v-kWO5f5ehDEb0ePbYhBfM5SX9JrkwxbCfaB4pZBfqnm6dfSbo5CYcXWBNWvSr1JN3gk2D4T~m2O6opviD7PhKiaq7DsUXQ0ZyNzbFaQqADFynjrTKIHOePbVmIQlhcOze6q1rkFGY81Q9h30zxwxtumH0Z8~r1l4UxQlWsjJLzQvCBUtqDcKcpMzAcGbcPqJacHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 on Jan. 9 to direct county staff to begin negotiations with Beulah Town Center LLC for the county-owned 540‑acre Outlying Field 8 (OLF 8) site in Beulah, and to use the DPZ CoDesign master plan as a restrictive guide during negotiations.

The vote followed several hours of public comment and competing presentations from three developer teams. Commissioner Steve Strohberger moved to authorize staff negotiations; the motion was seconded and approved on an electronic vote. Commissioners limited the negotiation period to 30 days and asked staff to return with a proposed purchase-and-sale contract and timetable.

Why it matters: OLF 8 has been presented by county leaders as a rare, shovel‑ready opportunity to attract employers and create local jobs. Advocates and developers repeatedly told the board that the choice now is between keeping the county as an active steward of the land or transferring development control to a private partner. Several resident speakers urged the commission to protect the DPZ master plan and secure measurable job commitments.

Residents and stakeholders who addressed the board emphasized jobs and community amenities. Cecilia Campbell, a Beulah resident, told commissioners, “We just want y’all to do what you promised … that one developer following the DPZ design to their very best ability” would preserve the plan’s intent. Sharon Gaubert, representing local ice‑sports groups, said limited local ice time has forced teams to travel and that “OLF 8 … offers a great opportunity for a community sports facility with ice.”

Three development teams presented to the board. Chad Henderson, representing the Catalyst/Wilson team, framed the project as a long‑term partnership: “This is way more than a real estate transaction. This is a partner selection,” he said.

Will Dunaway and partners representing the Beulah Town Center/Metro‑Hemmer team emphasized their ability to deliver a master development agreement and said they would produce a site plan and timetable in short order if authorized to negotiate. Ryan Bell offered an upfront purchase proposal during public comment: “My offer is $45,000,000 for the full 540 acres,” he told the board.

Developers and some commissioners also discussed potential external funding. David Baer summarized a prior Triumph Gulf Coast application tied to infrastructure for the site and said that a Triumph application had been scored but paused pending county direction: the cited application request was $14.2 million and referenced about 338 jobs in its application materials, Baer said. He and others told the board that any Triumph funding would be contingent on job creation and other performance criteria.

Board members repeatedly returned to two themes: (1) price and upfront deposits, and (2) enforceable job commitments and contract terms. Commissioner Lumen May said purchase price matters but that “job creation and being able to work … are immediate impacts” she must weigh. Commissioner Michael Kohler (chair) asked that any negotiating instructions include timelines and firm performance penalties where feasible.

The board’s specific direction was procedural: staff was authorized to negotiate a purchase‑and‑sale agreement with Beulah Town Center LLC consistent with the DPZ master plan and to return to the board with a draft contract and timeline following the 30‑day negotiation window. Commissioners said if the negotiations do not produce acceptable terms, they will direct staff to negotiate with other proposers.

What’s next: County staff and the county attorney will work with the selected development team to draft an executable contract. The board requested a status update and expected a contract or a report back to the commission at the next regular meeting or sooner if negotiations conclude earlier.","The Board voted 5-0 Jan. 9 to authorize 30 days of negotiations with Beulah Town Center LLC over the county-owned 540-acre OLF 8 site. Commissioners and residents focused on job creation, contract terms and the DPZ master plan as a protective framework.","actionData","errors"]

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At a glance: Commissioners adopt subdivision street‑lighting MSBU ordinances, zoning map and small‑scale amendments (Jan. 9)

Escambia commissioners direct staff to negotiate with Beulah Town Center for OLF 8; jobs and timeline drove debate