Jeff Bergosh Blog: Deer Run Subdivision in Beulah: 10 Questions Asked and Answered

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I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following : Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commissioner District 1

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Deer Run Subdivision in Beulah: 10 Questions Asked and Answered

What are the facts surrounding the allegations leveled against the Deer Run Subdivision in Beulah?

There has been a significant level of scrutiny applied to the Deer Run subdivision currently under construction in Beulah. There were issues with the holding ponds, and there were issues with wetlands clearing and sediment infiltration. A group of the neighbors asked for me to host a meeting with them and the developer at the property--which we did.

Now, a sweeping list of 10 allegations has been made against Deer Run's developer. I have relayed the concerns expressed in this email blast with BOTH the developer and with staff. For staff, my request was simple: run these allegations to ground and tell me if there is any truth or substance to these allegations, and we will go from there. When I spoke to the developer's representative--he was exasperated. "Jeff, we are doing everything we said we would do, we are complying with the consent order and fixing the ponds. If there is something else we need to fix, we will fix it!"

So late this week I received back the answers to the questions that were posed, which I am going to publish below. Here is my position on this matter: Everyone must abide by and comply with our LDC, to the letter of the ordinance. If they do, and they have approved plans, then they can and should be allowed to continue to build. If, on the other hand, a developer does not do as is specified in the code--there should be appropriate sanctions and a delay in approvals going forward.

to me it is very basic and simple. Do what's right, get your permits and carry on. Cut corners or worse--don't comply--and you will not be moving forward.

According to staff and from their assessment of the 10 allegations presented, it appears as if this developer is doing as requested and as expected, but by all means judge for yourself by reading the 7 pages of questions and answers below: