Residents object to Carson Lane 2,000,000‑gallon tank; TRC conditionally approves project

Chair opened discussion of item 4, a minor development order (MIN26-000048) submitted by Florida Community Service Corp of Walton County proposing a 2,000,000‑gallon portable water storage tank and booster control station at 149 Carson Lane (District 5).

Staff (Bob) entered the staff report and environmental review into the record and said the only outstanding technical reviewer was Eglin Air Force Base. Staff recommended conditional approval pending resubmittal and completion of outstanding comments and to move the development order to the director for consideration.

Dylan Laird, the applicant representative, said the site is “strategic” because its ground elevation matches other South Walton storage tanks, making gravity feed and distribution possible. He told the committee the project will demolish existing deteriorated buildings on the parcel and build a new distribution facility with three pumps and screened, painted structures intended to match surrounding residences. He also noted the team would provide a masonry or screen wall and vegetative buffering where needed.

Nearby resident Lynn Groninger told the TRC she and neighbors oppose siting the tank next to new three‑story homes and said the existing site is in poor repair. “This tank is going to make our property values just head south,” Groninger said, and urged committee members to drive by and inspect the parcel. A second resident described the tank as an “eyesore” and the likely cause of property‑value decline.

Committee members pressed the applicant on technical specifics. The environmental reviewer required 20‑foot buffers on the east, west and north; the applicant said accommodating the full buffer on the east may be difficult because of access and stormwater needs and proposed a mix of masonry screening and vegetative buffering. The applicant confirmed the tank structure would sit about 35 feet high and pump houses would be sound‑attenuated "so less than OSHA required decibel level." Fire department representative Jeremy said the department’s main concern is access in an emergency.

After discussion, Bob moved—on the record—for conditional approval pending successful resubmittal and resolution of outstanding comments and for the director to consider the development order. The committee voted in favor. The conditional approval requires the applicant to secure any outstanding agency comments (including from Eglin AFB), finalize environmental responses, and coordinate with fire for access before the development order advances.

Next steps: the applicant must address outstanding comments and provide any missing reviews and documentation; staff will prepare the development order for director consideration once the resubmittal is complete.