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County staff to start internal master plan for East Milton after outside funding appears unlikely
Summary
County administration said state funding for an East Milton master plan is unlikely to rank high enough; the planning and zoning department will prepare an internal master plan with optional consultant support and a proposed public engagement process.
Santa Rosa County administration told commissioners it will proceed with an internal master plan for East Milton after outside funding for the study was unlikely to be awarded.
County staff said they had applied for external funding to develop a master plan covering the eastern part of District 2, but the application "probably will not rank high enough to secure the funding." Planning staff prepared a scope of services and a list of topics for a master plan that would address architectural standards, densities, signage, parking, public uses, open space and gateway enhancements.
County administrators and commissioners discussed capacity and the option to use outside consultants to accelerate the work. "I would just ask that ... if we're doing this internally, ... there is some way that this board can agree to allow for some outside input via consultant," one commissioner said, citing staff workload concerns. County administration said the planning and zoning team believed it could produce the plan but recommended keeping the option of consultants for public engagement or technical design tasks.
Why this matters: East Milton includes strategic properties and potential industrial or federal‑partner opportunities — including sites tied to a Navy outlying field and other large landowners — and the board has signaled interest in shaping growth for a major corridor (Highway 87) through an overlay district.
Next steps: staff will proceed with an internal master plan effort and return to the board with updates; if consultant support is required above the county's threshold, staff will notify the board and follow procurement rules. Commissioners asked staff to consider a six‑to‑twelve month timeline if external consultants are engaged to avoid an extended internal process.
