We, the concerned residents of Garcon Point in Milton, Florida, strongly oppose the proposed 96 space "Pensacola Bay RV Park" in our residential neighborhood. This development will have a negative impact on our community and we urge the Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners and  Development Services (including Planning & Zoning) officials, to reconsider this proposal and find a more suitable location for an RV park that does not negatively impact residential neighborhoods like ours.

Here are some reasons why we believe this land use and proposed site plan should be re-evaluated:

1. Land use per Santa Rosa County Land Development Code - This is a High-Density Development in a Residential Area. The proposed site plan contains 10+ units per acre – the equivalent of an R-2 or R-3 project.  This is certainly not in keeping with the R1 (Single Family Residential) zoning on all sides or the surrounding Future Land Use of GPSFR (Garcon Point Single Family Residential) on all sides.

2. Traffic – The 96 space RV park will bring much more traffic into our quiet neighborhood, creating safety concerns for children and pets. To access the RV Park, one must drive 1.0 to 1.2 miles (depending on the route) thru residential neighborhoods on unlit 16 to 19 foot wide winding and curving blacktop roads that have no curbs or sidewalks. There are 200+ residential homes and lots that are directly or indirectly impacted by this additional traffic. The shoulders of these roads are predominately drainage ditches or soft grassy soil facilitating runoff.  RV Park traffic will create hazardous conditions for children waiting for the school bus, playing outside in front yards, people walking, jogging, and riding their bikes.

3. Infrastructure and the Environment - What are the Impacts on water, sewer, secondary roads, emergency services and the quality of life for the tax paying residents in the community?  We already experience regular “boil water” notices and power outages. There are NO planned improvements to residential neighborhood roads and Avalon Blvd. Will pollutants flow into Escambia Bay because of 96 RV’s parked so close to the water with sewage hookups, gas, propane tanks, trash and other potentially hazardous materials? What will the potential environmental impact be on wildlife, flora and aquaculture?  What happens when severe pop-up storms occur on Escambia Bay or sudden flooding/high winds occurs in the area?  Just look at the recent tragedies in Texas and other states.

We, the Garcon Point Community, request that the Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners, Development Services (including Planning & Zoning) officials:

1.       Reconsider any proposed site plan and land use.

2.       Allow community input into any proposed site plan on this parcel.

3.       Have the SRC Transportation Department conduct a complete and thorough analysis of the secondary roads in this area and the potential traffic impacts based on the proposed site plan.

4.       Have the Florida Department of Environmental Protection conduct a comprehensive review of any proposed STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN (SWPPP) to assess the environmental and aquaculture impact on the proposed RV Park on Escambia Bay.

5.       Have the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conduct an impact study on wildlife on Garcon Point and the potential impacts of a 96 space RV Park.

6.       Require a complete site plan with current approvals for water, sewer, health department, SRC Building Department, Fire & Emergency Services, Florida Department of Environmental Protection for dock permits, SRC Transportation Department, etc.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

The Concerned Citizens of Garcon Point