Santa Rosa County adopts East Milton master plan, setting framework for rezoning and infrastructure projects
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Summary
The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 26 unanimously adopted the East Milton master plan, a high-level guiding document that recommends rezoning some state-owned agricultural parcels to conservation, targeted commercial corridors along Highway 90/State Route 87, and tiered actions for sidewalks, stormwater and septic-to-sewer connections.
The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners voted Feb. 26 to adopt the East Milton master plan, a high-level guidance document staff says is intended to shape future rezoning, transportation and infrastructure decisions in East Milton.
Sean, a Planning and Zoning Department presenter, told commissioners the plan was developed after public workshops and an online survey that yielded roughly "897 responses" and about 100 workshop attendees. "It is a high-level conceptual document," he said, emphasizing that adoption does not itself implement specific land-use changes but provides a framework for later action.
The plan lays out a three-tiered approach. Tier 1 recommendations include rezoning sizable tracts of agricultural land owned by the state to conservation/recreation on county maps and inserting the master plan language into the county's land development code and future land-use map for a 500-foot commercial corridor along Highway 90 and State Route 87. Tier 2 actions focus on sidewalk gap projects, updated stormwater standards, a bicycle/pedestrian plan and converting septic systems to sewer where feasible. Tier 3 lists longer-term, more complex items such as transfer-of-development-rights programs, working with the Florida Department of Transportation and FDOT-funded widening of U.S. 90, and attracting industrial and park uses related to the Outlying Field (OLF) Santa Rosa property.
Commissioners praised the in-house planning work as a cost-saving measure. "You saved us $200,000 in a study that we did in house," Commissioner Smith said, thanking staff and naming Dylan and Darlene for their roles in preparing the plan. Commissioner Burkett said the area offers opportunities for job growth and parks while acknowledging that some neighbors may oppose increased density measures.
Members of the public urged more opportunity for comment before implementation. John Simoniak asked the board not to "make a decision today" on implementation steps and requested that the planning department circulate a working draft for public review; he urged staff to incorporate public comments and return a revised draft with responses.
The board approved adoption as a guiding document without objection; staff and commissioners said detailed implementation steps will return to the board in future, noticed actions (rezonings, code amendments, and infrastructure program proposals).
