Destin officials, residents urge Okaloosa County to adopt interlocal for Noriega Point; commissioners say they'll discuss next month
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Summary
City of Destin leaders and hundreds of residents urged Okaloosa County to formalize an interlocal agreement over Noriega Point to preserve the state park as conservation land and ensure city review. Commissioners said the item will be brought back for discussion and staff and the county liaison will work on a draft.
City of Destin leaders and dozens of residents asked the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 17 to adopt an interlocal agreement that would require the county to coordinate with the city before pursuing development or commercial uses at Noriega Point, a newly acquired state park parcel that lies entirely inside Destin.
"Let nature be and allow this park to be what it was bought for, conservation," Mayor Bobby Wagner told the commission, asking the board to place a straightforward interlocal agreement on an upcoming agenda so the county can put in writing the collaboration it told the state it would provide. City attorney Kimberly Cobb told the board that current city land‑use regulations prohibit commercial uses planned by some county proposals and that any change would need city review and amendments to the comprehensive plan and development order.
The issue drew a large turnout of Holiday Isle and Destin speakers who said a proposed plan that would expand docking, allow food sales and rentable slips would commercialize a conservation parcel and overload local infrastructure. Neighborhood representatives, the Holiday Isle Improvement Association and Destin council members said the parcel’s docks were built for residential—not commercial—use, raised concerns about harbor capacity, pedestrian and vehicle safety and possible environmental impacts on nesting birds and tides.
Several speakers urged the commission to accept the interlocal the city delivered on Jan. 22. "We are supposed to be a team," Wagner said. "Walk on the interlocal agreement today or at the next county commissioner meeting and vote so that you guys put on paper what you already promised to the state."
Commissioner Jeff Palmer, the board liaison on the matter, told the audience he has reached out to city officials and will work with staff and the city to develop a response. "Next month, our first meeting, I think this will be back on the agenda," Palmer said, adding that he is open to an interlocal but also noted the county was asked by the state to manage the property and that staff normally works interlocal terms among staff before bringing them to the board.
The board did not adopt an agreement at the Feb. 17 meeting. Commissioners emphasized they want staff and the designated liaison to negotiate a draft that addresses city concerns, zoning compatibility and access, and to return the item for formal consideration at a future meeting.
What’s next: Commissioner Palmer said he will work with Destin staff and county staff on a draft interlocal for review at the commission’s next meeting. The board encouraged further staff collaboration and public input before any binding action.
