Walton County upholds magistrate, approves Freeport asphalt plant over traffic objections

Walton County commissioners voted Nov. 24 to adopt the special magistrate's recommended final order approving a major development order for a proposed hot-mix asphalt plant near Highway 20 in Freeport (MAJ25-000035). The plant — proposed for roughly 15 acres with industrial zoning — prompted intense public comment about truck traffic, impacts to Highway 20 and whether the county can or should second-guess an FDOT access permit.

Planning staff explained the application and the magistrate's decision. Intervenors attempted to introduce technical traffic expert testimony critical of the applicant's DOT-submitted transportation study; the magistrate found such appeals should be litigated or appealed at the FDOT permit level rather than in the county major-development hearing, and concluded the application was consistent with the comprehensive plan if the stated conditions were met.

Opponents raised public-safety and evacuation concerns given the corridor and base personnel who commute in the area; supporters noted the applicant had obtained the required DOT permit. The county attorney and staff emphasized that the appropriate remedy for challenging a DOT roadway permit is at the state permitting process.

After debate about the directive to elevate the application to a major review and whether that determination required separate recordation, commissioners ultimately adopted the magistrate's recommended order by vote (final recorded vote 3–2 after procedural changes). The board did not remove the parcel from the neighborhood plan; staff will incorporate the magistrate's conditions and monitor any FDOT permit appeals.

What happens next: adoption makes the magistrate’s order the county’s final decision unless successfully appealed in circuit court; any factual challenges to FDOT findings should be pursued through DOT processes per the magistrate’s opinion.