Commissioners ratify three county land purchases, totaling several million dollars
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Summary
The commission ratified purchase contracts for a beachfront parcel on Sandy Lane, 384 acres off Bob Sykes Road, and eight adjacent lots near Eagle Springs; the purchases were approved and staff instructed to proceed with due diligence and recording.
Walton County commissioners ratified three separate purchase contracts for county land acquisitions and authorized staff to proceed with related due diligence and disposition steps.
County Administrator Brian Kellenberger presented three items: (1) a purchase contract for a residential parcel at 11515 Sandy Lane, adjacent to public beach access, with an asking price discussed at $12,000,000; (2) a contract for approximately 384 acres off Bob Sykes Road for $2,900,000; and (3) the acquisition of eight landlocked lots near South 25th (lots 1–8) at $10,000 per lot, totaling $80,000.
On the Sandy Lane parcel, staff described options including a lot split that would allow the county to retain beach frontage while selling upland portions to recoup costs; land use changes would be required to allow a lot split. Commissioners discussed statutory sale procedures and the county’s rights when soliciting bids if offers returned are not acceptable.
Neighbors spoke in support of retaining beach access; Kelly Bizette said she and her family supported splitting the lot to preserve public beach access. Commissioners moved and seconded motions to ratify the county administrator’s signature on the purchase contracts and to start the acquisition process. All motions were approved.
Kellenberger said staff will proceed with appraisals and the statutorily required solicitation processes, and in the Sandy Lane case will pursue options to preserve beach access while exploring disposition of upland parcels.
