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Council splits on Crystal Beach park design; staff to return with two revised plans in April
Summary
After extensive debate over parking, turnaround design and required variances for the jointly‑owned Crystal Beach park, council directed staff to return by the first April meeting with two revised plans (one removing four spaces, the other removing two) for council selection.
The City of Destin’s long‑running effort to develop Crystal Beach Park ran into renewed debate March 3 as councilmembers and county representatives argued over parking counts, required variances and which design best preserves safety and beach access.
What council debated: The county and city have a joint plan for three properties that the city bought to create beachfront park access. Two 60% design options were reviewed: one retains more parking, the other removes some spaces to create a safer circulation pattern. Council members raised concerns about vehicles backing into busy Highway 98 and noted existing landscaping, restrooms and pavilions on adjacent parcels that constrain layout. Staff and the county said some parking reductions were needed to achieve circulation; opponents said removing spaces would undercut the public benefit of the purchases.
Code compliance and variances: City staff identified multiple variances the plan would require under the city land development code — including throat clearances and end-of-row parking‑island dimensions. Councilmember Schmidt moved a substitute to return plans that met the city’s code (no variances); after debate and a motion to reconsider, that substitute failed. The council ultimately voted 7‑0 to direct staff to return at the first meeting in April with two specific plans (the county’s two revised 60% options) after additional coordination with the county.
Why it matters: The parcels were purchased by the city and county years ago to expand public beachfront access; charting a final design affects both parking supply and safety on Highway 98. Several council members stressed the importance of resolving the outstanding engineering and interlocal issues quickly so construction can move forward.
Next steps: Staff will coordinate with the county and bring the two revised plans back for the April 1 meeting, and identify which variances would still be required and where variances would require Board of Adjustment review.
Ending: Council members emphasized safety and timely progress while signaling they expect staff to seek the fewest possible variances and to present full permitting steps when the designs return to the dais.
