Alys Beach founder turns to neighbors for input

Jason Comer wants residents of South Walton to be the first to know his plans to develop a small neighborhood in Inlet Beach.

When Comer, Alys Beach's town founder, announced the project this week, he said his first goal was to call the families that live in the neighborhood and talk with them about his plans for Lupin Beach.

"Our family had the great fortune of owning this property as far back as 1968, when Inlet Beach barely had six or seven homes," Comer said. "We spent the summers here, often without another soul in sight. My father was CEO of Avondale Mills, which owned Camp Helen at the time, and it was used as a summer retreat for Avondale employees. My grandfather owned three homes on this property, one of which is still standing today. That home is called Lupin."

Now the Alys Beach town founder wants to develop the land with a small, upscale residential development similar to the mix of housing in the surrounding area. The project will not include any businesses or commercial uses.

Lupin Beach will be designed by the town planning firm Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company.

"I'm told that the best way to describe the location is that it is the southeastern-most point in Walton County that borders Bay County at Camp Helen State Park and the Gulf of Mexico," Alys Beach marketing director Mike Ragsdale said.

"Because of the importance of this property to my family, I'm very pleased that I'll be the one to oversee its development," Comer said. "Over the years, so many others have discovered our amazing natural environment, and as a result, Walton County has experienced enormous change. Just like we did with Alys Beach, we want to open our planning process to the wider community so that we can put together the most thoughtful and intelligent development plan."

Comer will work with neighbors, local officials and members of the community to ensure the seven-acre development is an asset to the area. Work has already begun to restore and enhance the property's dune system, which will help to preserve the natural habitat.

Comer is setting up a community advisory panel to holding meetings that will be open to the public. All meetings will take place prior to filing a zoning application with the county.