APPROVED! - The Reserve at Sweetwater Estuary

The State's Department of Community Affairs has finally given its approval to the comprehensive plan amendments required for the planned golf course / resort development known as The Reserve at Sweetwater Estuary along Dekle Beach Road and CR-361 (commonly known as the Beach Road).

There is a 21-day period following publication of the State agency's notice, during which time an affected party may appeal the decision. If there are no appeals, the comprehensive plan amendments become official.

Plans include a mixed-use town center consisting of residential, commercial and recreational areas. 127 acres are set aside for the development and 147 acres for the golf course. The resort is expected to create approximately 685 permanent jobs after completion of the project. Several hundred workers will be employed during the construction phase.

Stay tuned!

Update on Golf Course Community

There was no opposition at the County Commission Board Meeting on Monday night, and the Commission voted to send the comprehensive plan amendments for The Reserve at Sweetwater Estuary to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for review. The State agency will prepare a report on the application before returning it to the County for final approval. Stay tuned!

The Reserve at Sweetwater Estuary

The proposed Sweetwater Resort Community, hosting a championship golf course, along the coast at Dekle Beach is still in the works. A public hearing will be held next week to determine whether the Taylor County Commission will submit the comprehensive plan amendment application to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for review. Some amendments to the proposal have been made along the way. The plan currently includes 624 houses, 400 hotel rooms, and 150,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. The building height in the residential areas will be restricted to three to four-story buildings, and most of the development will be outside the coastal high hazard area, according to the development's environmental consultant. In addition, the development will include a hotel/conference center, recreation, trails, boardwalks, and kayak launching. The golf course will include a 11,000-12,000 sq. ft. club house.

Reports indicate that construction of this development is expected to provide hundreds of jobs during construction, and approximately 685 permanent non-construction jobs after completion.

Sweetwater Resort Community

Dr. J. Crayton Pruitt's development plans for the Dekle Beach area started out with the Magnolia Bay Marina & Resort, which was squashed because of the environmental impact that the development and proposed canal would have on the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve along Taylor County's coastline. The rejection of Magnolia Bay was followed by plan 2 -- The Reserve at Sweetwater Estuary which eliminated the marina and included a golf course with 624 housing units, an 874-room hotel and 280,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. Because this plan still impacted 58 acres of wetlands, it too was rejected by state regulators. The new plan for a golf course community called the Sweetwater Resort Community will encompass approximately 1291 acres of land along Dekle Beach Road and County Road 361 (the Beach Road), and significantly reduces the impact to wetlands. The development will include residential, commercial, hotel & conference center, recreational areas, roadways, trails, boardwalks, kayak & canoe trails, a golf course and club house. It is expected to create 685 permanent non-construction new jobs in the area.

Happy Valentine's Day! -- 2010

In celebration of Valentine's Day, do something special for someone you love. The most important thing is to let someone know that you love them, whether it be a spouse, significant other, parent, child, or friend. A card, a book of poetry, a box of chocolates, flowers, dinner, a romantic movie, or other special gift lets someone know you care. It does not have to be elaborate; it's the thought that counts. However, if you are a guy wanting to make a special impression on the love of your life, scroll down to the Valentine's Day suggestion I posted last year for an evening that your special someone will never forget.

Ciao,
Ann

Taylor County Real Estate Market Update

The real estate market in Taylor County is definitely improving. Our phones are ringing off the hook. Our sales associates are showing properties every day. We have three active agents in the office, and all four of us have received offers on properties this week. My newest agent, who just started this week, has received two offers on properties and is working on two new listings; not bad for a new agent for her first three days on the job. I would say things are looking up for 2010. People are realizing that this really is a good time to buy. If you are interested in buying or selling, check out our website at www.gulfbreezerealestate.net. Cheers!

January's Wrath

Florida, the Sunshine State, has suffered inordinately cold, cold, cold weather with overnight freezing temperatures consistently for over a week now. The longest cold streak that I can remember. Things are starting to warm up a little bit; at least, we don't have to leave our pipes dripping tonight. Even South Florida has been suffering from cold weather this past week as well. My daughter in Miami said she was going to have to buy boots and set aside her flip flops for awhile. Now that is cold! HOWEVER, we aren't as cold in Florida as our friends to the north. No blizzards, icy roads, or snow to shovel here. And Spring will arrive soon. The Sunshine State is still the place to be!