Residents press county on Jubilee rezoning and ask commissioners to back distracted‑driving law resolution

During the public‑comment portion of the Santa Rosa County commission meeting, residents pressed elected officials on proposals they say will change rural neighborhoods and asked the board to support policy steps on traffic safety.

Two Pace residents warned against a large rezoning proposal called "Jubilee" that they said will be back before the board in January. David Fowler told commissioners the plan covers about 2,700 acres and, in his account, would allow densities up to 10 units per acre with five‑story buildings, commercial uses and light manufacturing; he asked the board to deny the rezoning when it appears on the January agenda.

Ryan Fowler said Jubilee previously requested a community development district (CDD) and that CDD fees can impose long‑term costs on homeowners; he recalled earlier rezone votes and urged commissioners to protect rural farmland and farming communities.

Separately, Demetrius Branca (who described losing his son to a distracted driver in 2014) asked the board to support a resolution to urge the state legislature to strengthen distracted‑driving laws. Branca said his proposal received unanimous, bipartisan support in one chamber of the state legislature but stalled in a Senate committee, and he asked local leaders to help press for action. "We can save lives and we can do it together," Branca said.

The board accepted public comment and indicated staff and commissioners would follow up with contact information and next steps; no formal county policy on Jubilee rezoning or a distracted‑driving resolution was adopted during the meeting.