Santa Rosa County Puts Brakes on Kern Street Paving Plan

Santa Rosa County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Santa Rosa County commissioners took no action on a proposal to pave Kern Street in the Florida Town subdivision. Commissioners took no action on the item at Tuesday's BOCC committee meeting, and do not plan to discuss the item at their regular meeting this Thursday.

The Proposal

Developer Thomas Cornelius requested that the county pave the currently unpaved road and be reimbursed by his development. The arrangement would have enabled construction of affordable homes priced between $250,000 and $290,000 in the area.

Why Commissioners Hesitated

Board members raised concerns about the project's environmental impact, particularly its location within the Florida Town watershed. One commissioner noted the area is flagged in the watershed analysis as a potential problem zone for stormwater drainage.

Engineering questions also emerged about whether the existing road surface could be simply resurfaced or would require full reconstruction to county standards.

What Happens Next

Staff will complete a full watershed impact analysis and stormwater engineering review. The developer can resubmit the proposal once that analysis is complete.

If approved at that time, the agreement would require Cornelius to obtain all state environmental permits and construct the road to county standards, with specific payment deadlines and penalties for late reimbursement.