Planning Commission · Thursday, May 14, 2026 · 4:00 PM · Freeport Board Room
Planning Commission
This meeting was held on May 14, 2026. Its minutes aren't posted yet, so the summary below was written from the agenda before the meeting: it says what was planned, not what was decided. Decisions and votes will appear once the minutes are.
Summary
The Walton County Planning Commission held a meeting on May 14, 2026, to review several land development and items. The commission approved minutes from the previous meeting and heard proposals for substantive amendments to the and Comprehensive Plan, both of which were continued to the June 11 meeting for further review. Two hotel development projects were on the agenda: one in Rain Inlet Beach was continued to June 11, and another Holiday Inn Express project was scheduled for final approval. The commission also held a to gather public input on Comprehensive Plan amendments.
Why it matters
These code and amendments will shape future development standards and land use policies in Walton County, affecting how new projects are reviewed and approved. The two hotel developments under consideration represent significant additions to the county's hospitality infrastructure in the mixed-use village areas.
On the agenda
Development & zoning5 items
Text Amendments
Request to continue to the June 11, 2026, Planning Commission meeting. Proposed substantive text amendments to Chapters One, Two, Five, Six, Seven, and Nine affecting access management, review, review, submittal requirements, and Certificate of Land Use requirements.
Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) Based Text Amendments to the
Request to continue to the June 11, 2026, Planning Commission meeting. Proposed substantive text amendments to Goals, Objectives, and Policies of multiple elements including Capital Improvements, Coastal Management, Conservation, , Housing, Infrastructure, Recreation, and Transportation/Mobility elements, based on EAR report approved by Board of County Commissioners.
Hotel Rain Inlet Beach
Request to continue to the June 11, 2026, Planning Commission meeting. Major development order application (MAJ25-000038) submitted by McNeil Carroll Engineering, Inc. on behalf of Rosemary Lodging, LLC, requesting approval to add a parcel to the 30 Avenue development, construct a 78-unit hotel with parking garage and associated infrastructure on 3.34 acres with Mixed Use and Village Mixed Use zoning in District 5.
Where: 12805 U.S. Highway 98 East; 36-3S-18-16100-000-0281; 36-3S-18-16100-000-0290; 36-3S-18-16100-000-0291; 36-3S-18-16100-000-0310; 36-3S-18-16250-000-0020; 36-3S-18-16250-000-0030; 36-3S-18-16250-000-0040; 36-3S-18-16250-000-0050; 36-3S-18-16250-000-0060; 36-3S-18-16250-000-0070; 36-3S-18-16250-000-0080; 36-3S-18-16250-000-0090; 36-3S-18-16250-000-00A0
Holiday Inn Express
Scheduled for approval by final order. Major development application (MAJ25-000053) submitted by Nautilus Civil Engineers on behalf of Sunrise 850, LLC, requesting to develop a 104-room hotel on 2.57 acres with Mixed Use and Village Mixed Use zoning in District 5, located on the north side of US Highway 98 West, approximately 0.195 miles east of Don Bishop Road and 0.249 miles west of US Highway 98 West Crossover and Mussett Bayou.
Where: 28-2S-20-33220-000-0495
Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) Based Text Amendments to the -
held to request Board and Public Input on proposed substantive text amendments to Goals, Objectives, and Policies of Capital Improvements Element, Coastal Management Element, Conservation Element, Element, Housing Element, Infrastructure Element, Recreation Element, and Transportation/Mobility Element based on EAR report prepared by DPZ CoDESIGN and approved by Board of County Commissioners.
Other1 item
April 9, 2026 Planning Commission Minutes
Minutes were approved.
Coming up
- Text Amendments continued hearing · June 11, 2026
- Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) Based Text Amendments to the continued hearing · June 11, 2026
- Hotel Rain Inlet Beach continued hearing · June 11, 2026
Summaries are AI-generated; each meeting links its original documents · Independent, not an official Walton County site · Source · Updated Sep 20, 2026 · Privacy · Terms