Want to drive on Grayton Beach? Good luck, officials say
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Dozens of residents had their reasons why they should be given a permit to drive on Grayton Beach, but each one got the same answer: Good luck.
“We’ve had person after person come up with their own story, but the only thing we can do is tell you maybe you’ll be one of the 150,” Walton County Commissioner Sara Comander told the hostile crowd at Tuesday’s commission meeting. “You can go in the lottery just like everyone else.”
Walton commissioners approved a controversial ordinance that they had struggled with for more than a year. The final version allows property owners and registered voters to enter a lottery to win one of 150 annual permits to drive on the sand.
Permits from the lottery and the grandfathered list will cost $125.
There also will be 15 charter boat permits and free permits to disabled visitors and residents.
The ordinance is intended to help ease vehicle traffic on Grayton Beach. The system will allow the number of permits to dwindle as people on the grandfathered list fail to renew them.
The ordinance had gone through several revisions over the past year. Before Tuesday, the law would have limited permit holders to Walton County residents who own property.
That would have left some current permit holders out of the grandfathering system and eligible only for the lottery.
“The question is, who can get a permit historically and legally,” said resident David Kramer. “A lot of people here lost ownership of their homes, but they should still get permits since they’re renting here. This feels like an elitist way of doing things.
“There is a big part of our community that just because they don’t own property doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get a permit,” Kramer added. “These are people who like driving on the beach.”
Commissioners agreed to revise the ordinance to include registered voters.
Those interested in applying for a permit who are qualified under the grandfathering system can register for a permit for this year at the tax collector’s office beginning May 15.
The tax collector’s office will accept applications for the lottery from April 1 through May 10. The lottery selection will be May 15. Winners can purchase their permits beginning June 1.
