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TRC recommends denial of San Roy easement abandonment after utilities, staff concerns
Summary
After an extended presentation and discussion, the TRC recommended denial of a request to abandon a 33‑foot patent easement along San Roy Road, citing comprehensive‑plan access policies and outstanding utility easement requirements.
The committee considered an abandonment application (PA26000003) submitted by Mark Douglas to abandon a 33‑foot patent easement along the north side of San Roy Road affecting seven private parcels.
Mark Douglas, the applicant and property owner, presented historical research and photo/video evidence and argued the corridor functions as private property, contains private improvements (fences, driveways, landscaping) and has not historically provided public access. "Approving this abandonment does not give or grant property owners any additional land," Douglas told the TRC, saying the request would not affect beach access or roadway operations.
Staff and multiple reviewers flagged concerns. Planning staff cited Walton County comprehensive plan policy CM1.3 (as discussed in the meeting) requiring continued public access to coastal areas and warned that vacating easements could reduce legal public access. Staff presented the application to the planning commission as complete but recommended motions include language requiring recorded utility easements be in place prior to final action.
Regional Utilities (Ryan Douglas) told the TRC the corridor contains water and sewer facilities and said his utility would not support the abandonment unless recorded utility easements are executed in advance: "We would normally oppose unless those easements can be established and in place beforehand." He said the applicant and property owners had discussed easement templates but that the regional utility needs ownership/encumbrance and title documentation before it can sign.
County reviewers raised additional procedural and legal questions about parcel lines, LLC ownership documentation, pedestrian use observed in submitted photos, and whether keeping the right of way could better enable future pedestrian improvements. One committee member recommended denial based on the comprehensive plan's access policies; the motion to recommend denial passed and the staff record will forward the application to the planning commission with a recommendation of denial by the TRC.
Next steps: the application proceeds to the planning commission with the TRC recommendation of denial. The applicant may supply recorded utility easements, title and operating‑agreement documentation and arguments on policy applicability before the planning commission or Board of County Commissioners.
