Concerns over traffic and zoning regulations dominated the Walton County Planning Commission meeting on October 2, 2025, as residents voiced their apprehensions about potential developments in their rural community.

Local resident June Gosling raised significant issues regarding the proposed zoning changes affecting George Williams Road, which borders her property. She highlighted the dangers of the existing gravel road, particularly at the intersection with Highway 11, which she described as hazardous for families, especially those with children attending the nearby elementary school. "We already have a problem... it's a dangerous intersection," Gosling stated, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of traffic impacts before any zoning decisions are made.

The commission acknowledged the residents' concerns but reiterated their limited authority over traffic issues, stating, "Traffic is traffic... we have no control over that." They clarified that their role is to evaluate property use requests based on the land use map and existing zoning codes, which include mandatory buffers between different zoning types.

Gosling and other residents expressed frustration over the potential for increased density in their area, fearing that the rezoning could lead to further developments that would disrupt their rural lifestyle. "We want to keep rural," she asserted, urging the commission to consider the long-term implications of their decisions on the community's character.

As the meeting concluded, the commission promised to take the residents' feedback into account, but the path forward remains uncertain as discussions about zoning and land use continue. The community's hope is to maintain their rural environment amidst growing pressures for development.