Fort Walton Beach Development News
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June 23, 2026 - City Council Regular Meeting
Published: Jun 23, 2026
Pole Barns Under 5,000 Sq Ft Exempted from Development Order Requirements
Ordinance 2216, amending Land Development Code Section 9.00.03 regarding development permits and development orders, was presented on second reading. The amendment exempts pole barns up to 5,000 sq ft from the 1,000 ft requirement for a development order, allowing them to bypass certain development order requirements. No public comments or questions were received.
City Amends Land Development Code to Allow Commercial Use of Shipping Containers
Ordinance 2215, amending Land Development Code Section 5.01.07 regarding storage buildings, storage sheds, greenhouses, and detached garages or carports, was presented on second reading. The amendment allows for the commercial use of shipping containers. Currently, shipping containers are not permitted for commercial use. This change will permit their conversion for commercial purposes. No public comments or questions were received on this ordinance.
Council Approves Development Order for 100-Unit Senior Living Facility
The council reviewed a major development order for the Housing Authority to construct a 100-unit senior living facility at 27 Robinwood Drive Southwest. The project had previously gone through the development order and agreement process but required restarting due to soil issues and an expired variance. The new development order is similar to the previous one, with the project shifted west and meeting all code requirements. The council authorized the mayor to execute the major development order. The motion passed unanimously.
City Allows Commercial Use of Shipping Containers
Ordinance 2215, amending Land Development Code Section 5.01.07, was presented on second reading. The amendment permits the commercial use of shipping containers. Previously, these were not allowed for commercial purposes. Staff recommended adoption, and no public comments were received.
One Okaloosa EDC Reports on Economic Development Initiatives, Military Support, and Major Projects
Nathan Sparks, Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC, presented the organization's quarterly report. He highlighted defense support initiatives, the annual legislative priorities paper taken to Washington D.C. which has resulted in approximately $150 million in millcon projects, and successful events such as the largest round table luncheon in the organization's 30-plus year history featuring UWF President Manny Diaz and NWFSC President Mel Ponder, and the ninth annual TechNet Industry Day, which was also the largest ever. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Space Florida and the Okaloosa County School District to establish Space Academies in high schools. Sparks also detailed the Career Connect initiative for veterans, military spouses, and the public. He discussed Project Normandy, a $43.5 million aerospace project, and mentioned the County Commission's approval of an economic development ad valorem tax exemption totaling over $1.2 million over 10 years. Sparks clarified the organization's funding sources, with $223,000 from public sector funding (including $160,000 from the county) and approximately $360,000 from memberships and investors. He noted that in the past 18 months, $75 million in investments have been facilitated.
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The Fort Walton Beach News archive
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