Zoning board split on 48‑unit townhome plan in Navarre; recommendation denied and forwarded to county commission

A developer presentation for 48 townhomes on Orion Parker Boulevard in Navarre prompted neighborhood objections over traffic and a split vote by the zoning board on Nov. 13.

Kat Holliday of 68 Ventures said the proposal covers 3.36 acres of a 5.77‑acre parcel, would yield 48 townhomes and that traffic from the plan would be much less than a full commercial development; she estimated about 384 trips per day from the 48 units. Neighbors urged an independent traffic assessment and said the signal at Orion Parker and Highway 98 already creates long backups that spill into local streets.

Resident Josh Rogers recounted occasions when accidents on Highway 98 caused severe neighborhood backups and asked the board for a traffic study. The zoning board debated motions to deny and to approve; the record shows split board votes and no clear majority for either final recommendation. Because the board was divided, the application will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. for final disposition.

What happens next: The BOCC will receive the zoning board record and testimony and may request additional traffic analysis before taking a final vote on the conditional use.