Walton County’s Technical Review Committee on Dec. 17 continued consideration of the Preserves at Santa Rosa Beach, a major development proposal that would create 39 single‑family lots on roughly 20.06 acres, citing outstanding reviews and environmental sensitivity.

Tim (planning staff) told the committee the principal concern is how the applicant is counting open space under the conservation‑residential designation; environmental planning and engineering reviews were incomplete at the time of the TRC. The project consolidates two previously separate approvals into a single plan; staff said the combined layout is an improvement but noted wetlands and two large ponds make up a substantial portion of the site.

Margaret Landry, a resident who spoke during public comment, said the plan “does not fit with conservation residential” and that the community would oppose the application at upcoming hearings. “It just doesn’t fit,” Landry said, arguing the proposal conflicts with conservation elements in the code.

Applicant Nolan said the team has met with the water‑management district, submitted an ERP permit and had resubmitted materials addressing engineering comments. He said the design preserves about 2.5 acres in the southwest corner and includes perimeter buffers; the applicant also proposed removing a sidewalk on North Church Street and pursuing a sidewalk buyout to increase ditch capacity.

Staff and committee members raised technical concerns including tailwater elevations, lot access to the southwest lot, and the need for additional environmental and departmental reviews. Given the outstanding reviews, the chair asked for a continuance to the Jan. 7 TRC meeting; the committee approved the continuance.

Next steps: staff will seek outstanding comments (environmental, engineering, surveyor review) and the applicant will resubmit; the application will return to TRC on Jan. 7.