Perdido Key gets a vote for Growth

Published by the Pensacola News Journal

Published - August, 3, 2007

Key gets a vote for growth

Commission will remove building cap on Perdido Key if state agrees

Jamie Pagejepage@pnj.com
Perdido Key is a step closer to having considerably more development.

Escambia County commissioners on Thursday voted4 to 0, with Commissioner Grover Robinson IV absent, to remove the residential building cap on Perdido Key.Currently, a maximum of 7,150 residential units are allowed.

Because there was no commercial cap on the Key, it will allow unlimited development if the measure gets final approval from the state."There is no other county in the state of Florida that is subject to an arbitrary cap like this one," said Commissioner Mike Whitehead.

Abolishing the cap is an amendment to the county's comprehensive land use plan which must first get approval by the Florida Department of Community Affairs. Then the public will have a chance to comment on it at two more public hearings in the fall.

Several residents opposed removing the cap, fearing it would promote irresponsible growth.Some commissioners felt the amendment would encourage more commercial growth to support the anticipated increase in residential property."I have seen responsible growth strategies used since I have been on this board," said Commissioner Gene Valentino. "The concrete canyons (as Perdido Key has been called by some) are in Gulf Shores, and it won't be on Perdido Key."There are about 1,280 acres available for development in the Perdido Key area. About 1,127 acres, or about 44 percent, of land on the Key is in public ownership controlled by government.