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!

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.