Growth Management
The Problem:
People throughout the nation have noticed North Okaloosa is a desirable place to live and our County is one of the top relocation destinations in Florida. While growth can bring economic vitality, it can also strain infrastructure, impact natural resources, and shift the character of communities.
The County hired Inspire Placemaking Collective to conduct the North Okaloosa Planning Study and will possibly modify the Comprehensive Plan based on the results of this Study.
The Inspire Public Priorities Report (April, 2024) stated on page 11:
“The 4,614 comments span a variety of subjects but are connected by one central and overarching theme:
Rapid growth in North Okaloosa has altered the region’s historical rural character and undermined residents quality of life. The North Okaloosa Community would like the County to consider and enact measures to manage the pace, location, and form of future development in the area”.
Unincorporated North Okaloosa loudly proclaimed Okaloosa Residents are tired of unchecked growth and that it is time for citizen’s voices to be both heard and respected.
The era when all growth was beneficial has passed and a single management plan for the County that emphasizes growth is no longer appropriate. It’s time to manage growth with special concern for current residents needs and lifestyle. Inspire Placemaking Collective concluded in their Baseline Analysis Report (page 26):
“It appears that allowing growth to occur based on existing entitlements will result in a worst-case urban sprawl scenario in which it will be nearly impossible to provide services in a cost effective or orderly manner.”
This means that the Okaloosa County Comprehensive Plan, zoning regulations, and land use plans are flawed and will allow worst case urban sprawl in many areas of unincorporated North Okaloosa. Unchecked urban sprawl leads to heavy strains on infrastructure, will alter the character of communities, and diminish the quality of life. The Inspire report indicates this urban sprawl may overwhelm the infrastructure.
Residents in the Baker area of North Okaloosa have been experiencing the problems of rapid growth and inadequate infrastructure. This is highlighted by the large subdivision being built behind the Baker School on narrow Buck Ward Road causing traffic problems and school overcrowding. Despite these acknowledged issues, the County has indicated they are unable to address them.
The Solution:
It is time to end the one-size-fits-all approach to growth management and implement Community Based Planning that recognizes each community within Okaloosa County has its own distinct identity and values. South Okaloosa is densely populated and has beautiful beaches, museums, and vacation resorts while North Okaloosa is filled with prime farmland, unique wildlife, recreational areas, and natural resources. Growth management strategies need to fit the specific needs and characteristics of each area. Zoning ordinances and land-use regulations must be sensitive to the scale, density, and character of each community.
In North Okaloosa, growth has been prolific in both the city of Crestview and in the unincorporated County, overloading our country roads and stretching our water supply to its limit. To protect farms and preserve the rural character of North Okaloosa, the County should implement policies to protect and preserve the rural agricultural character through actions such as land preservation programs and zoning regulations that emphasize agricultural use. Roads and schools already strained to support existing homes and businesses must be improved before additional growth is considered.
