(SANTA ROSA COUNTY, F.L.) --- Data Centers and walk-up coffee trailers are not wanted here.
A special July 23 rezoning meeting with the Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners was not just about banning data centers. While the board did approve a temporary one-year moratorium, not a full ban, after hearing public protest on environmental impact and surveillance concerns, commissioners also heard about java. Officials overlooked former zoning restrictions for real estate use, hours of use, and architectural resemblance for Bell Vision Coffee on Bahia Drive due to lack of control.
(Photo: Susan Bradshaw pleads for her coffee trailer to remain on a lot zoned 20 years ago at the July 23 meeting)
Bell Vision Coffee Owner Susan Bradshaw represented Thomas Green, lot owner, immediately noting resident opposition at the podium.
“I understand their concerns because they love their neighborhood and Navarre Beach as much as I do,” Bradshaw said. “I hope we can work towards something acceptable for both myself and the residents of the street.”
Clearly choked up, Bradshaw continued asking “that you approve the removal of the 2008 restriction limiting this commercially zoned property to a real estate office.”
“This restriction no longer reflects how this corridor functions today. It currently remains a vacant, unimproved lot,” Bradshaw said.
(Photo: Navarre Beach resident Ron Mays objects to a coffee-trailer across the street from his home)
The coffee shop owner called the trailer the “least intensive commercial use,” noting the minimal disturbance raised with Seven Brews at the last commissioners meeting. However, neighbors do not feel the same, beginning with Ron Mays, who lives directly across the street. The concern is traffic disturbance rather than noise.
“My opposition would be coming out of our driveway; it's 100 feet to the street where this property fronts,” Mays said. “I would think that a business in that location, whether it be a coffee shop or a real estate office, would, you know, hinder traffic.”
Douglas Kinsley, who used to live across the street on Gulf Boulevard, disagreed, arguing the coffee would reduce traffic since patrons could walk there instead of drive. Kinsley was the sole supporter of the new walk-up java joint, expressing full support while praising its community-building aspect.
(Photo: Ray Nosavich said he would appeal a zoning decision for a coffee trailer if he could)
Ray Nosavich, who lives across the street, questioned why the lot was ever rezoned, noting “it doesn't fit the neighborhood.” Commissioner Rhett Rowell made it clear the 20-year-old ordinance is not in the elected officials' control.
“It's very clear that we do not have the authority to change a citizen's zoning without them; we can't make it residential at this point,” Rowell said. “That’s not even an option.”
Rowell said due to the Burt Harris Act it “is very clear that you cannot change you can't take away private property rights.”
That was not good enough for Nosavich.
“I don't want another Alvin's Island across the street,” Nosavich said. “There are other places on Navarre Beach that I think would be more suitable for the coffee trailer.”
While Nosavich said that if he could appeal it, he would, Commissioner Kerry Smith came back with “that would be kind of like taking away your zoning from your house.”
“Once the zoning's there, it can't be taken away,” Smith said. “You can understand that concept.”
After discussion, commissioners approved removing prior restrictions for the coffee trailer to move forward with potential future commercial site plan requirements.
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