Residents press wetlands, bay‑access and traffic concerns as East Nursery Road subdivision is continued

A major subdivision proposed on East Nursery Road was continued at the Walton County Technical Review Committee meeting April 16 after residents raised environmental and access concerns and staff said environmental comments were not yet available.

The developer, Dewberry Engineers, seeks approval to build 53 single‑family lots and associated infrastructure on approximately 28.2 acres with an infill zoning designation. County staff reported a computed density of 1.88 units per acre and said the application was continued from the previous month for compatibility analysis; the applicant revised the analysis and resubmitted. Staff indicated outstanding comments remain from planning, county right‑of‑way, engineering and GIS (notably missing road names); environmental review had not been received by TRC.

Neighbors at the TRC hearing raised several concerns. Margaret Landry said the property is a "beautiful piece of property" that would likely be cleared and asked whether the community could commission an independent wetland delineation; the chair replied the county cannot authorize work on private property but suggested residents coordinate with the applicant. Deborah Townsend, who said she lives on the bay to the east of the site, criticized the proposed density given the site—s bayfront proximity and said she feared increased flooding and runoff if mature vegetation is removed. Both speakers asked the county to consider water quality impacts to the bay.

County staff and the applicant responded that the project currently proposes a density below 2 units per acre and that the project will be required to meet the requirements of the Walton County Land Development Code and any applicable state or federal requirements. The chair noted state law gives the county 120 days to process applications and that requesting additional information pauses that statutory clock.

Traffic and emergency access were also discussed. An FDOT study provided to the county recommended adding a dedicated right‑turn southbound lane onto U.S. 98; public commenters and a local civil engineer volunteering to help the HOA discussed options including developer contributions and reducing multimodal fees as a credit toward intersection improvements. The chair said staff would review opportunities but said the TRC could not compel a small subdivision to fund a major intersection, noting mobility fees provide partial funding for right‑of‑way improvements.

After discussion the committee voted to continue the application to the May 7 TRC with directions that outstanding comments, including environmental review, be addressed and that staff may allow advertising for the May Planning Commission to keep the project on the major development schedule. The chair said advertising does not guarantee final approval; Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners public hearings will still occur and provide additional opportunities for public comment.

Why it matters: The site is adjacent to the bay and residents contend that tree removal, runoff and potential wetland impacts could affect water quality and neighborhood flooding. The county continuation keeps the application moving while preserving additional technical review and public‑hearing opportunities.