New condo development may rise in Regatta Bay

A 458-condo project could become the newest feature of Regatta Bay, if Okaloosa County approves the proposal next month.
Legendary’s filed statements with the county say the change — replacing 64 single-home sites and 35,000 square feet of retail that had been planned for the Destin area subdivision — would actually put less traffic on U.S. 98 than the Regatta Bay master plan allowed.

Legendary’s Tom Patton wrote to the county that the current plan “provides for 35,000 square feet of retail on U.S. Highway 98 and some additional office (space). With other quality development in the area, we believe these needs are best served on larger parcels of land in the immediate area. Therefore, the owners have re-envisioned and re-concepted the remaining parcels to become several neighborhoods of undulating, multistory residential buildings. The buildings will gradually step in height moving south.”

If the county approves, Legendary would be allowed to build 458 “resort condos” in multistory buildings — some of which would rise up to 99 feet — plus a parking lot with 802 spaces east of Regatta Bay Boulevard. In addition to dropping plans for the homes, retail and office space, the proposal would cut Regatta Bay’s green areas by 11.89 acres. Development would be buffered from Regatta homeowners by the golf course, lakes and wetlands in the subdivision.

The county has already “vested” Regatta Bay with the right to add 708 daily trips on U.S. 98 from the retail and office development Legendary had planned. The company said replacing that development with the condominiums will cut the number of added trips to 669.

The proposal is scheduled to go before the county Planning Commission on May 8, then to the County Commission on May 20.
Some Regatta Bay residents are not happy with the proposal.

“When we bought our lot here, we were told that land would stay single-family residential,” said Yogi D’Orazio, who has lived on Sailmaker Lane since 2004. “If we ever decide to sell, nobody is going to want to buy a house with condos next to it.”

In addition to possibly lowering property values, Roger Wallis is concerned about increased traffic from the condos and possible flooding in his neighborhood if Legendary removes two retention ponds as illustrated in plans.

“We’re basically paving over paradise and putting in as much density as (Legendary Chairman Peter Bos) can get away with without putting in a skyscraper, which he knows he can’t get approved,” Wallis said.

Tom Patton, development manager at Legendary, said the company was aware of residents’ concerns. He plans to ask county officials for a continuance to give his company more time to work with homeowners at Regatta Bay and County Commissioner James Campbell.

“We definitely need to see what we can do to bring everyone together,” Patton said.

Florida Freedom Newspapers contributed to this article.