Crestview council approves Fox Valley Phase 3B plat after environmental questions and developer clarifications

The Crestview City Council voted unanimously to approve the Fox Valley Phase 3B plat after staff and the developer addressed public concerns about wetlands, septic systems and wildlife.

Planning staff described the proposal as an extension of Traverse Lane that would add 53 lots across roughly 46.25 acres, with a gross density of about 1.12 units per acre and an upland density of about 2.29 units per acre. Staff said about half the acreage will remain in its natural state and that existing wetlands and a conservation easement surrounding the property remain protected.

“Fox Valley as it stands now has 300 (units). This phase will add 53,” staff said, noting the project required a second point of ingress and egress to comply with the current fire code and that the city worked with the developer and the fire department to secure off-site access that includes a gate for emergency use.

During public comment, resident Sarah Sirfoss urged the council to delay or deny the plat, citing concerns about development in recharge areas of the Bridal aquifer, runoff, impacts to species such as the gopher tortoise and whether the site had passed percolation tests for septic systems. She also referenced Florida Statute 373.414 and said Florida Senate Bill 180 has raised constitutional and conservation questions in other jurisdictions.

“Overdevelopment on our recharge areas of the Bridal aquifer contribute to the depletion of our freshwater resources,” Sirfoss said, and asked whether an environmental survey had been completed and whether the area passed tests for septic systems.

Jamie Eubanks of Jenkins Engineering, which prepared portions of the project design, responded that the phase will connect to the city sewer system and will not use septic systems, that the lots are not in a floodplain and that a full environmental assessment had been completed. “Where this development is proposed is, quite frankly, where they previously cleared for the development,” Eubanks said, adding that wetlands and conservation easements remain in place and that no new clearing outside approved limits is proposed.

Council members asked clarifying questions about wetland protections and whether the project would allow up to 600 units across connected developments; staff said the 600-unit figure is a cap for using two points of access across connected projects and that Fox Valley would remain well under that cap.

Motion by Councilman Hayes, second by Councilman Frost, to approve the plat passed 4-0 (one absence). The council’s approval was recorded as a final action on the plat; public hearings had taken place earlier in the review process, staff said.