SANTA ROSA BEACH — The Walton County Planning Commission stifled dissenting comment and voted 4-1 Thursday to allow the Sandestin Owners Association to let a limited number of employees use a driveway accessing U.S. Highway 98 across land owned by Doyle and Janet Reeves.
To win a recommendation from the county’s Planning Department and the Planning Commission’s approval, the homeowners association agreed to limit the number of people passing through an electronic gate to just its employees, which also include security personnel and emergency vehicles.
The Reeveses, who own the Footprints Gift Shop on one side of the driveway marked as Reeves Road and the property beneath a barbecue restaurant on the other side, were opposed to the proposal. The couple, who also live on the property, were more stunned by being shut down from speaking at the meeting than by the board’s decision.
“What they’re doing is unbelievable,” Doyle Reeves said afterward.
“We thought she should have a chance to speak,” added Janet, who nodded toward Jill Crew, the attorney representing the family.
The County Commission ultimately must decide Sandestin’s request. The topic could come up as soon as Tuesday.
The Sandestin Owners Association, which represents property owners in the sprawling resort community, acquired the driveway easement last year when it bought about 3 acres behind the Reeves’ property from Doyle Reeves’ brother. It is building offices on the property for between 18 and 20 employees, according to Owners Association President Ken Lloyd.
Planning Commission attorney Mark Davis said the quasi-judicial nature of Thursday’s hearing gave the board the right to limit input only to those issues not aired at a public hearing last month.
Although board member Tom Patton, the one dissenting vote, requested and won consent to hear from the public if new issues arose during comments by Sandestin attorney Gary Vorbeck, Davis sided with Vorbeck’s contention after he spoke that that no new ground had been covered.
Crew objected strenuously on her clients’ behalf.
“I do object to preventing the Reeveses, who are the property owners, being allowed to speak,” she said.
The board’s decision to limit speakers irked many people who had shown up to support the couple.
“It just goes to show you money talks,” one woman grumbled as unhappy people filed out of the board’s meeting room.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Tom McLaughlin at 850-315-4435 or tmclaughlin@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomMnwfdn.
