Residents press commissioners after developer pours curb at Ibis Road; commissioners pledge to block connection

Commissioners and residents clashed over new construction at the end of Ibis Road in Avalon Estates after neighbors said a developer poured curbs and prepared to pave a road that had been promised would not provide through access.

Residents told the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners during a lengthy public‑forum segment that prior votes, written agreements and attorney statements established there would be no access from the developer’s new street into Avalon Estates. Commissioners said they would halt any connection and instructed staff to implement physical barriers while the county reviews options.

Why it matters: Neighbors said they bought homes on cul‑de‑sacs with the expectation of no through traffic and that a paved connection will change safety, drainage and property values. Commissioners said stopping the connection preserves previous public commitments and reduces risk of future disputes.

What happened: Public commenters provided documents, video and a recorded 2022 meeting excerpt they said showed board and developer commitments not to connect to Avalon streets. Trinity Colburn, a resident, told the commission the county was allowing a road to be constructed without required state permits for the Ibis segment and called the county “on notice” that construction was improper. Joanne Swalen and David Young, other Avalon residents, said curbs and base material were already in place just feet from the cul‑de‑sac.

Commissioner Burquette raised the issue early in the meeting, saying he had worked with staff to place temporary barricades after learning of activity at the site. Administrator Brad Baker (listed in the meeting as county administrator) explained the county’s permitting rules and said staff would review the permits the developer has filed. Chairman Smith said commissioners would direct Public Works to place barriers at the county property line and that he would oppose any vote to approve a through connection. “I’ll die before that road’s connected,” Chairman Smith said during commissioner response, adding that the board would pursue remedies and work to restore trust with residents.

Officials and residents disagreed about whether the developer currently holds a state water permit covering the Ibis segment. Trinity Colburn told commissioners she had confirmed with the Northwest Florida Water Management District that the developer did not have a permit authorizing construction of the Ibis segment; county staff said they were reviewing that claim.

Board action and next steps: The commission did not take a formal, recorded vote on an ordinance or contract that evening. Commissioners directed staff to: (1) physically secure the county property where the developer work reaches county land; (2) review county records and any state permits for the Ibis segment; and (3) report back with legal and technical options (including requiring removal of work done on county property). Commissioners mentioned the possibility of requiring the developer to remove curbing or to repurpose the paved stub as recreation space (basketball/pickleball court or similar), but no final decision on repurposing was reached.

Context and outstanding questions: Residents said past meetings and recorded motions had prevented connectivity; they asked why construction advanced. Residents also raised concerns about drainage and wetlands impacts from cutting trees and grading. County staff said some elements are on private property and will be addressed through permitting processes; elements on county‑owned parcels can be controlled by the county. The county will notify the public when staff returns with a legal and permitting summary.

Ending: Commissioners and residents said they want a clear, documented resolution. The commission scheduled staff follow‑up and said the item would be returned on a near‑term agenda so the board can consider formal actions once staff compiles legal, permitting and site information.