County eyeing developments

Economic development is on the minds of the Santa Rosa County Commissioners and they appear to be ready to do something about it.
During their last meeting as a whole on May 8 commissioners approved an amendment to the ordinance allowing developers to pay transportation impact fees when they obtain a building permit instead of how the ordinance read at the time they are awarded a development order.

Developers apparently have seen their project go on hold as banks would not go the amount to invest in the project and the impact fees without a little more collateral.

This move will allow the development of the property and hopefully see more contractors return to work.

All commissioners agreed something needs to be done and more specific wording on the transportation impact fee ordinance will be addressed during a workshop on May 20 at 9 a.m. at the County Commission Chambers.

A few wording issues came to mind as Commissioner Tom Stewart wanted to address the reconditioning of existing buildings and what could be done there concerning impact fees.

Commissioners also approved the purchase of three acres in the Santa Rosa Industrial Park by Prestige Fire Sprinkler, Inc. based on a contract for sale which includes a performance based mortgage with incentives.

More economic issues and their impact on Escambia and Santa Rosa County were discussed during a joint meeting of both county commission boards back on April 28 in Pensacola.

The first major item was a recommendation made by the County Attorney’s Office that the Board adopt a Joint Resolution of requesting the support of Congressman Jeff Miller to sponsor federal legislation to release the restrictions on conveyance of property on Santa Rosa Island (SRI).

The deed to SRI conveyed from the United States of America to Escambia County in 1947 permits the County to lease but not convey the property.

Enlisting Congressman Miller’s support would be the first step in developing a plan to release the restriction and convey the County’s interest in Navarre Beach to Santa Rosa County and the remaining portions of SRI to other persons and entities having a leasehold interest.

The attorney for Santa Rosa County, Tom Dannheisser, had no objections to the form of the resolution.

Commissioner Mike Whitehead offered his defense of the plan.

“There are a couple of issues on both beaches with the main being economic development,” Whitehead said. “Not being able to own the property has kept investors from developing the beach front property.

“This is a cumbersome system. We have a real myriad of problems on our end because we have so many types of leases. Economic development and the question of property ownership is the main driving force behind this,” says Whitehead.

Commissioner Grover Robinson disagreed with the idea of economic development being hindered.

“I do not believe the lease holders are ready for this,” Robinson said. “It is not impeding economic development. I think we have seen development occur. The challenge is we don’t know where we are. I am not in favor of anything moving in that direction.”

County Attorney Alison Rogers explains what the residents are saying about this plan.

“What we are hearing the most from the citizens is from commercial lease holders,” said Rogers. “They have underlying lease fees and property taxes. They are telling us they need some sort of relief. We are looking at a long-term solution that would allow for a transfer of fees. This resolution is a first step in getting that done.”

James Cox of Pensacola Beach says there are many who are opposed to this move.

“Maybe we are being a little presumptive,” said Cox. “There are 2,300 lease holders who have said they don’t want this. They want the county to honor the leases they have. They don’t want fee simple interest.”

Commissioner Robinson said, “There are too many questions still out there. We are not there yet in Escambia County.”

The motion passed with Commissioners Kevin White and Robinson voting in the negative.

Robinson said he wants to know what the citizens think and he will be on the beach to listen to them on June 17 at the SRIA office from 6 to 8 p.m.

“As their representative, I listen to my constituents and believe they at least deserve to have this heard and judged before we as leaders start down any course of action.

“I am sorry that we have had leadership that only made decisions on their own self interest. That is definitely not my style,” says Robinson.

Another item on the agenda was that the Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization determined the estimated cost for needed transportation capacity improvement projects for the current 20-year planning cycle.

The area of responsibility for the Northwest Florida RTPO is currently at least $2 billion, and only a minimum of $17 million in legislative appropriations can be forecast by the District III Office of the Florida Department of Transportation to be available annually through the year 2037 to plan, develop, acquire and build these capacity improvements projects.

Commissioner Gene Valentino said the goal was to encourage Santa Rosa County Commissioners to join in and share these road projects.
“We are looking for nothing more than the blessing of Santa Rosa County to get on board with us to look at funding opportunities.
“We are committed to jump starting these road projects. It is a shame that the I-10 and I-110 corridor took more than fours years longer than scheduled to complete,” says Valentino.

Santa Rosa County Commissioners asked if the Interlocal Agreement for creating the Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Finance Authority could be added to a future agenda for further discussion.

Another Joint County meeting will be scheduled within the next 90 days.

Jeni Senter contributed to this report.