Destin council asks staff to open talks with state over Noriego Pointe after public outcry; resolution seeking CFO probe fails

At the request of numerous residents, the City Council directed city staff to open talks with state officials to clarify the future land‑use and zoning for a roughly four‑acre parcel the State of Florida purchased in December adjacent to Noriego Pointe Park.

City staff told the council the packet included a draft lease between the state and Okaloosa County and a county draft management plan. The city’s manager/attorney asked whether council wanted staff to begin conversations with the state about designating the property as conservation land and changing the city’s future land‑use and zoning to match.

Public commenters — including long‑time neighbors of Noriego Pointe — objected to elements in the county’s draft management plan they said would allow an intensive commercial marina and related commercial uses. Guy Tadlock said the park is heavily used and that a commercial marina would bring unacceptable traffic and parking impacts to the neighborhood. Alan Osborne urged the council to hold its position and investigate whether proper disclosures were made during the state purchase process; he recommended asking the CFO to review the transaction.

Council amended the original motion to a narrower directive: staff should engage the state to discuss conservation zoning and the appropriate management approach. That substitute motion passed on the record (council announced the vote as 6–1). Later, a separate resolution asking the Florida Chief Financial Officer to investigate the state purchase was introduced and debated; members split over the wisdom of initiating an investigation before exhausting talks with DEP and the state. That resolution failed on the record.

What happens next: staff will contact the state and DEP, provide them materials from the town hall and packet, and return to council with an update. Council members asked staff to emphasize the city’s interest in conservation outcomes and to explore options — including the city managing the property or assisting with removal of existing marina infrastructure if needed — while preserving community access.