Planning commission backs rezoning for mini‑storage at 257 Highway 81 with security and lighting conditions

The Walton County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request Aug. 7 to allow conversion of 7 acres at 257 Highway 81 from R‑1 to B‑2 for a drywall warehouse and four self‑storage buildings, with conditions that all lighting be downlighting, no outside storage be allowed and a cross‑district access waiver be granted.

The applicant, Angel Bridal, told the commission the project would be a “local family owned business” and described site layout constraints created by a pond and setback requirements that push most buildings toward the rear of the lot. Bridal said the development would include a 100‑by‑200 foot drywall warehouse (about 20,000 square feet), four self‑storage buildings ranging from about 2,600 to 7,200 square feet, a 6‑foot black vinyl‑coated chain‑link…