FAQs

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How can I get updates on the Sector Planning process?
The St. Joe Company has created a project web site that will be updated from time to time. The address of the web site is: www.bay-waltonsectorplan.com. You can also join our mailing list at www.bay-waltonsectorplan.com/comments.html.

What is the starting location for Phase I of the Project?
The Phase I site is located in Bay County along the Intracoastal Waterway. This location was chosen for many reasons. It has direct access to the water for fishing and boating activities. It has direct access to State Road 79 which connects to Interstate 10 and it is in close proximity to the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and Pier Park and other shopping.

What is St. Joe proposing?
St. Joe is proposing to expand and update the West Bay Sector Plan.

What is the West Bay Sector Plan?
The West Bay Sector Plan is a comprehensive, long-range land use plan that directs and balances growth and environmental-resource protection on approximately 75,000 acres immediately surrounding West Bay. The plan was adopted by Bay County in 2003.

Where can I find specific information about the West Bay Sector Plan?
The West Bay Sector Plan is adopted into the Bay County Comprehensive Plan. Specific information about the West Bay Sector Plan can be found from Bay County at the following web site: http://www.baycountyfl.gov/planning/comp-plan/chapter12.pdf

What lands are proposed to be added to the West Bay Sector Plan?
St. Joe is proposing to add approximately 46,192 acres of land it owns to the immediate west of the West Bay Sector Plan. The majority of these lands are located in Bay County, with a smaller component located in Walton County.

Why is this being proposed?
The West Bay Sector Plan provides a long-range vision that enables adequate planning for the future in a comprehensive, coordinated and balanced manner. The lands St. Joe owns to the immediate west of the West Bay Sector Plan do not have such a vision. By expanding the West Bay Sector Plan a long-range vision will be created for these lands.

What process will be used to expand and update the West Bay Sector Plan?
The Sector Planning process is proposed to be used to expand and update the West Bay Sector Plan. Sector Planning is encouraged for large geographic areas by Florida law because it emphasizes a comprehensive and long-range approach.

What planning principles will be used for the expansion area?
In order to promote consistent integration of the expansion area into the West Bay Sector Plan, it is anticipated that the core planning principles and concepts of the West Bay Sector Plan will be used for the expansion area. For example, it is anticipated that the same land-use categories that are in the West Bay Sector Plan will be used for the expansion area.

Will any changes be made to the West Bay Sector Plan?
The core planning principles and concepts of the West Bay Sector Plan are not anticipated to change. However, because the West Bay Sector Plan is more than 10 years old, updates related to current market conditions and recent changes in the State's Sector Planning law are anticipated to be proposed. These changes are not anticipated to substantially alter the long-range vision that was originally created by the West Bay Sector Plan.

Why is the proposed Sector Plan called the Bay-Walton Sector Plan instead of the West Bay Sector Plan?
The proposed Sector Plan is called Bay-Walton Sector Plan to acknowledge the larger geographic area that is not just immediately surrounding West Bay.

When was the Bay-Walton Sector Plan application submitted?
The St. Joe Company submitted its Bay-Walton Sector Plan application on April 11, 2014.

Are any changes proposed to be made to the West Bay Preservation Area?
No changes are proposed to be made to the West Bay Preservation Area. In fact, if the Bay-Walton Sector Plan is approved, St. Joe is proposing to voluntarily add another layer of protection and commitment to the West Bay Preservation Area by converting the West Bay Preservation Area from an "overlay" concept to an actual land-use designation.

What are the major steps in the Sector Planning process?
There are two major steps in the process. The first step is the adoption of a Long Term Master Plan for the entire area. The Long Term Master Plan is conceptual and must include at least 15,000 acres. The second step is the adoption of a series of smaller Detailed Specific Area Plans of at least 1,000 acres each. Each Detailed Specific Area Plan must be consistent with the Long Term Master Plan and add specificity to the Long Term Master Plan. Both steps must be completed before any permits can be applied for or development can commence.

What will be looked at as part of the Sector Planning review process?
The government agencies will review the proposed plan to ensure it complies with all applicable local and state laws and regulations for things like impacts on roads, utilities, stormwater, environment, schools, etc.

How long will the Sector Planning process take to be finalized?
It is difficult to predict an exact time frame, but it is anticipated that the process will take many months to finalize.

Will there be opportunity for public input?
Yes. The Sector Planning process allows for and encourages public input, and St. Joe will actively solicit and consider all feedback and input. St. Joe hosted a series of Open Houses in December and February to kick-off the Sector Planning process and introduce the public to the process and answer questions. More than 400 participants attended the series of six informational open houses before the Bay-Walton Sector Plan application was submitted.

Who reviews and makes a final decision on a Sector Plan?
Local governments review and make the final decisions on Sector Plans. Since the proposed expansion area lies in both Bay County and Walton County, each of these counties will review and make a final decision on the portion of the Sector Plan that is located in its county. The Sector Planning law also requires extensive review by and coordination with State of Florida and regional agencies. The State of Florida also has the ultimate responsibility to determine whether the adopted Sector Plan is in compliance with Florida law.

What types of projects are being planned for the proposed Sector Plan?
The Sector Plan would allow for several types of projects including a wide-range of housing types, such as primary and seasonal, as well as commercial uses to support the wide-range of housing types. The Sector Plan is proposed to have a significant active adult/retirement component, which will have a relatively low demand on public facilities and services like schools. Click here to request information on future St. Joe Retirement Communities.

Will the active adult/retirement component be age restricted?
The active adult/retirement component of the project is anticipated to have an age restricted sub-component but the exact extent and nature of that sub-component has not been determined.

Will the active adult/retirement component be just like The Villages® in Central Florida?
Yes and no. The Villages is a very popular and successful age-restricted retirement community located in Central Florida that started in the 1970s. We anticipate some aspects of the active adult/retirement component of the project will be similar to The Villages but other aspects will be different. The character of the lands, current retirement demographic trends and interests and existing context of the local areas are different.

Where is the project starting and when?
It is too early in the process to determine where and when the project will start. The immediate focus is to create a long-range planning vision of the lands that is comprehensive, coordinated, and balanced. Subsequent steps will be implemented once this vision is created.

Does this mean St. Joe is giving up on economic development efforts associated with the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport?
No. The St. Joe Company will continue to be committed to work with state, regional, and local economic development organizations and partners to actively promote economic development opportunities in the region, including at the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and on lands surrounding the airport. St. Joe is interested in adding the additional lands to build on the success of the West Bay Sector Plan.

How long do you anticipate the build out of the Bay-Walton Sector plan to take?
Sector Plans by their nature are a long-range plan. The build-out horizon for this project could take at least 50 years, depending on factors such as growth or market conditions.

How does the proposed West Bay Parkway impact this project?
The study area of the West Bay Parkway is within the boundary of the project and St. Joe will coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to make sure the Sector Planning process is coordinated with the planning of the West Bay Parkway. More information on the West Bay Parkway project can befound from FDOT at the following website: www.westbayparkway.com.

When will the 4-laning of Hwy 79 to I-10 be completed?
The majority of State Road 79 from US 98 to Interstate 10 has already been widened to 4-lanes. FDOT has a plan in place to complete the segments that have not been widened and construction has commenced. More information on the status of the widening of State Road 79 can be found from FDOT at the following web site: http://www.nwflroads.com/

What is the plan for utilities like potable water and sanitary sewer?
St. Joe has been in communication with the local utility service providers and it appears that there is adequate capacity to accommodate the project for the foreseeable future. As part of the Sector Planning process, St. Joe will coordinate with the local utility providers with respect to the planning of additional capacity needed for the long- term utility needs of the planning area.

How can I get updates on the Sector Planning process?
The St. Joe Company has created a project web site that will be updated from time to time. The address of the web site is: www.bay-waltonsectorplan.com