Vernon annexes Highland Properties

VERNON – Highland Properties, LLC on County 279 (Moss Hill Road) is part of the City of Vernon. City Council unanimously approved second reading and passage of the annexation ordinance.

There was some confusion at first between Bud Clark of Clark Communities, representative of the developers, and City Attorney Kerry Adkison over whether the proposal had some of the same problems encountered during the earlier annexation attempt. Those were cleared up, however, and the ordinance passed.

Two more public hearings are set for July 14 and July 20.

Clark and contractor Andy Coleman described the 50-plus acres project. Phase I will be development of the commercial section, including a supermarket, a real estate office, a post for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, a storefront bank (inside the supermarket at first), and a seafood restaurant.

Coleman said construction should begin in late spring 2009. “Once two-thirds of the commercial is built they we will pour the pads for the houses,” he said.

With the looming demolition of downtown Vernon, Highland Properties would be valuable real estate for business owners. Coleman said the plan is to build a “walking community” with the commercial part fronting the road and up to 150 single-family homes and a multi-family development also planned.

Homes would be 1,400 to 1,600 square feet, with garages behind the homes and off the streets.

Council also approved having the Board of County Commissioners forward the Evaluation and Appraisal Report for the comprehensive plan to the state Department of Community Affairs. County Planner Lynda Waller and Alan Gray of West Florida regional Planning Council were on hand to describe the process.