Walton County planning staff proposed and the commission approved substantive text amendments to Chapter 6 of the Walton County Land Development Code that update design standards, signage rules and landscaping requirements for the US‑98/US‑331 scenic corridor.

Tim Brown, with Walton County Planning and Development, called the packet the "final iteration" of work on the Chapter 6 changes and said the amendments are mostly intended to "clarify the regulations." Brown told the commission the revisions add detail about where murals are allowed, create a new "Type 3" directional sign category for drive‑thru signage (master signage plan not required), and adjust tree requirements to emphasize shade‑providing species.

The changes let staff approve certain small directional signs without requiring a master signage plan, set a 3.75‑square‑foot maximum for the drive‑thru directional signs and limit illumination to exterior lighting. Brown said the landscaping provisions now require 75% native plants in the scenic corridor and clarified how palms may be used as understory trees (for example, designated cabbage palms can count as understory plantings but may require a 3:1 planting ratio to achieve equivalent shade value).

Barbara Murano, a local design‑review board volunteer who spoke during public comment, thanked planning staff and the DRB for their work and asked for clarity in the parking and plant‑species language to help developers interpret the new standards. Planning staff confirmed the parking standards were consolidated to reference Chapter 5 and agreed to refine the palm‑tree language for clarity.

A motion to approve the ordinance language passed on a voice vote. The commission carried the motion and the chapter changes will be implemented as adopted by ordinance.

The commission chair said staff will provide final, codified language and implementation details to ensure the public and applicants can follow the new requirements moving forward.