Board approves Beachview site plan for restaurant and two apartments on Okaloosa Island

The board approved a site plan for the Beachview project on Okaloosa Island, which proposes a two‑unit apartment above a 1,566‑square‑foot restaurant in a two‑story building on a 0.41‑acre parcel in the B‑2 zone. Growth management staff said the project meets the B‑2 zoning (apartment/hotel/tourist services) and cited a 2019 precedent allowing a similar mixed use on the island. Staff recommended approval, noting the project was found to be consistent with the comprehensive plan and land development code.

Brian Harrington, an Architecture Review Committee (ARC) member, explained why the ARC recommended disapproval, citing concerns about parking, delivery access, trash and pedestrian pressures on narrow Well Court adjacent to Beach Access Number 7. He warned a very successful restaurant could create congestion in the small street and asked the board to consider island infrastructure limitations. Growth management staff said approvals are on file and staff stands behind the consistency determination. Commissioner Kechel moved to approve the site plan and the board voted unanimously to adopt the recommendation.

The approval does not change the island covenants; ARC retains its advisory role and raised its procedural concerns during final public comment.