Okaloosa county commissioners oppose military sustainability

A Wednesday public input meeting on proposed military sustainability restrictions attracted an estimated 125 residents, but lasted less than an hour due to no input being needed.

That?s because on Tuesday, Okaloosa County commissioners voted against the measure.

"It happened last night," County Commissioner Wayne Harris said. "The current planning and zoning code will stay the same ... basically, the plans have been shelved, they're gone."

Harris is one of five commissioners who voted to not to proceed with the Tri-County Small Area Study. The study initially was taken on behalf of Eglin Air Force Base and Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

At issue were land and zone codes that would have entailed property re-zoning, building height restrictions and regulating the use of lighting at night that could affect Eglin pilot training.?

Each county had the final say on whether these restrictions would be implemented.

Holt resident Jim Conner, a retired Air Force serviceman, said he is pleased that no further regulations will be explored.

"I think the county commissioners heard the people," Conner said. "I'm happy with the way things are in our county."

Rod Lewis, director of the University of West Florida Haas Center, who has worked with the project for five years, expressed concern for Okaloosa County?s economic status, following Tuesday night's decision.

"I think a lot of jobs are closely connected to Eglin," he said. "It is the epicenter of the high wage, high tech jobs in Northwest Florida. We certainly want to keep those critical missions in Okaloosa County."

Lewis said his job was to find a way to make the area more compatible with the military environment. He contended that other communities might make provisions that could entice Eglin officials.

Angela Malloy, of Holt, heard the commissioners? decision Tuesday, but decided to attend the public input meeting anyway.

Malloy asked Harris to elaborate on what he meant by saying plans were "shelved."

Harris said military sustainability restrictions would not materialize while he is in office.

Asked if she accepted that answer, Malloy said, "As long as that is honest, I will be satisfied."

Source: http://www.crestviewbulletin.com/news/military-18268-input-sustainability.html

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