Don Richards: UPA president would welcome Lamar Advertising’s partnership. GBN file photo Bureaucratic red tape and an outdoor advertising company’s concerns have slowed the initial beautification efforts of the United Peninsula Associationbacked Scenic Zone initiative for U.S. Highway 98 east of Gulf Breeze.

The first planned project – the Garcon Point interchange – encompasses the intersection of the bay bridge road and U.S. 98, extending a quarter- to half-mile in either direction of the traffic light, depending on expenses involved.

Mike Robertson, UPA member and owner of Mike’s Garden, developed a landscaping design and draft drawing for the project.

“We’re proposing 85 trees including Arapaho, Muskogee and Natchez crepe myrtles, and four Live Oaks, all of which would be planted in the medians,” Robertson said.

All but the Live Oaks would be planted 20 feet apart. The Live Oaks would be planted in those areas of the medians that have more space.

UPA will offer companies the opportunity to bid on various aspects of the project from providing plants and trees, mulch, and irrigation – possibly using South Santa Rosa Utility Service’s grey water – to ongoing maintenance. Santa Rosa County would have final approval.

“However,” UPA President Don Richards said at the association’s Jan. 20 meeting at Tiger Point Country Club, “a couple of issues have arisen since the proposed landscaping design was created.

“Originally, we anticipated that Santa Rosa County would be able handle the maintenance. We have since learned that Florida’s Department of Transportation requires that only certified maintenance workers be allowed to work in the medians and right-of-ways of state roads. Unfortunately, the county’s maintenance workers are not certified.”

Secondly, the law provides certain rights for billboard owners regarding visibility of their roadside signage. These rights include a certain angle and distance from which the billboards must be unencumbered.

“Lamar Advertising looked at the proposed landscaping and objected to several aspects of it,” Richards said. “They wanted us to choose another type of tree or hedge and, in some cases, relocate (a planned) palm island altogether.

“Instead, we had a meeting with their representatives and have agreed to move the trees 150 feet west of the proposed location.”

Further, Lamar Advertising is now considering joining UPA in hopes of continuing a cooperative relationship with the association.

“We would be delighted to have their participation and corporate sponsorship of the beautification efforts,” Richards said.

Richards still believes the project should be started in February.

Future beautification projects planned thus far include the intersection of Grand Pointe and Villa Venyce with U.S. 98 as well as the entrance to the new Avalex Technologies complex.

UPA’s submittal for nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service also has hit a bump in the road.

“We applied for a 501C3 on Oct. 20, 2010,” said Treasurer, Mike Andel. “The response dated Nov. 12 indicated the agency had 90 days to review our application after an agent was assigned.”

A call made to the IRS last week by UPA confirmed that no one had been given UPA’s file yet. This delay means that UPA will not be able to move forward with some of its plans for corporate contributions and grant procurements until the application for 501C3 status is approved.

UPA continues to work with Santa Rosa County officials, state officials, the City of Gulf Breeze, Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce, and business owners to find common ground for a myriad of issues. The complete beautification project area includes U.S. 98 from the Gulf Breeze city limits to the Okaloosa County line and County Road 399 north of U.S. 98 to State Road 87.

One question is what, exactly, the zone will be called. Vice President Paul Rollins expected that issue to be resolved during County Commission meetings this week.

In other UPA business last Thursday, state Rep. Doug Broxson gave an update on Garcon Point Bridge’s financial problems; Robertson provided information on the suggestion of Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) doing a feasibility study of handling all of Santa Rosa County’s water and sewer collection; and members discussed the septic tank bill. Elections Supervisor 2012 candidate Tappie Villane provided her qualifications and handed out candidate petition cards.

Commissioner Lane Lynchard will be the guest speaker at the Feb. 17 meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Tiger Point clubhouse. Meetings end promptly at 7 p.m., and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend.