Owners seek abandonment of strip along Golf Club Drive; TRC conditionally forwards request
March 19, 2026 | Walton County, Florida
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A Walton County technical review committee conditionally forwarded a request to abandon a small strip of Golf Club Drive, saying the matter should proceed to the planning commission and then the board once utility protections and outstanding reviews are resolved.
Staff recommended advancing the application, noting the request covers approximately 0.12 acres — about 159 feet of a 33-foot right-of-way — submitted by Emerald Coast Associates on behalf of owners Steve and Carla Chambers (project PA26-000001). Staff said outstanding items include verification of existing utilities, confirmation of drainage structures and reviews from South Walton Fire and regional utilities.
"We have asked the applicant to provide details whether there are drainage structures of any sort or easements within that right of way," a staff member told the committee, adding that engineering typically does not support abandonments but that staff had the materials necessary to move forward pending a draft resolution that preserves utility access.
Owner Steve Chambers told the committee the road historically dead-ended before Lot 5 and that the strip had been used only for driveway access. "When we purchased that lot... Golf Club Drive dead ended in Lot 4," Chambers said, describing landscaping and maintenance he and his family have performed and saying the adjacent golf club supports the abandonment.
Committee members asked for a survey "with benefit of title"; the applicant’s representative said a survey was provided and that a land-use attorney is preparing draft resolution language that will preserve utility easements. The committee voted to conditionally forward the item for board consideration once the outstanding comments, the draft resolution and required agency reviews are complete.
The committee recorded a single dissenting vote; the chair said one member cast a "nay" while others voted "yay." The motion was otherwise approved to move forward with conditions.
The item will return to the planning commission and the board for final action after the applicant provides the requested documentation and the agencies complete their reviews.
Staff recommended advancing the application, noting the request covers approximately 0.12 acres — about 159 feet of a 33-foot right-of-way — submitted by Emerald Coast Associates on behalf of owners Steve and Carla Chambers (project PA26-000001). Staff said outstanding items include verification of existing utilities, confirmation of drainage structures and reviews from South Walton Fire and regional utilities.
"We have asked the applicant to provide details whether there are drainage structures of any sort or easements within that right of way," a staff member told the committee, adding that engineering typically does not support abandonments but that staff had the materials necessary to move forward pending a draft resolution that preserves utility access.
Owner Steve Chambers told the committee the road historically dead-ended before Lot 5 and that the strip had been used only for driveway access. "When we purchased that lot... Golf Club Drive dead ended in Lot 4," Chambers said, describing landscaping and maintenance he and his family have performed and saying the adjacent golf club supports the abandonment.
Committee members asked for a survey "with benefit of title"; the applicant’s representative said a survey was provided and that a land-use attorney is preparing draft resolution language that will preserve utility easements. The committee voted to conditionally forward the item for board consideration once the outstanding comments, the draft resolution and required agency reviews are complete.
The committee recorded a single dissenting vote; the chair said one member cast a "nay" while others voted "yay." The motion was otherwise approved to move forward with conditions.
The item will return to the planning commission and the board for final action after the applicant provides the requested documentation and the agencies complete their reviews.
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