Board approves tower variance at Children's Home site after residents voice concerns

The Walton County Zoning Board of Adjustment voted March 26 to grant a setback variance for a 305-foot public-safety tower proposed at the Children's Home parcel. The applicant said the tower is part of the same countywide network and that the proposed design meets FAA and fall-zone requirements.

Neighbors voiced concern that the tower would encroach on land donated for the Children's Home Community Center and that previous tower construction removed a local helipad area. Wanda Willis, who spoke for the community center, said the parcel was donated for public use and asked why other county-owned parcels were not used. "When we donated that property... it was never supposed to be used for something like this," Willis said.

Walton County emergency-services officials responded that the design will not inhibit helicopter responses and that the access road and cleared approach could improve landings; they also said siting on county-owned property saved lease costs and matched the operational needs defined by engineers. Planning staff (Rosanna Edwards) clarified the variance sought relief to setback requirements only and that height exceptions remain a separate board-of-county-commissioners process.

The board discussed the balance between community amenities and public-safety needs, then approved the setback variance by voice vote. The approval allows the applicant to proceed with minor development orders and any required county height-exception steps.

Documents and follow-up: Applicants placed an FAA "no hazard" determination and fall-zone report in the record. Staff noted this variance does not itself grant a height exception; the tower will require additional county approvals before construction.