On Thursday, the Escambia County Commission will consider selling the 541 acres of OLF-8 for $42.5 million to Tri-W Development and Chad C. Henderson Enterprises of Pensacola II. Read Purchase and Sale Agreement – STAMPED.
- Background: OLF-8, or Outlying Landing Field 8, is a 540-acre property located in the Beulah area, just west of the Navy Federal Credit Union campus along Nine Mile Road. Originally established as a training facility for naval aviators, OLF-8 was acquired by Escambia County from the U.S. Navy in a 2019 land swap. For more history on the site, read The Great OLF-8 Debate.
Deed Restrictions
Escambia County has taken a significant step to ensure the proper development of one of its most important redevelopment projects by establishing permanent deed restrictions on the OLF-8 property. Read Draft Declaration of Restrictive Covenants.
The heart of the restrictions centers around a comprehensive Master Plan created by DPZ CoDesign and approved in 2021. The Master Plan is a detailed blueprint for how this large tract of land should be developed over the coming years and decades.
Permanent Protection: The deed restrictions run with the land permanently. They can only be modified or removed by a future Board of County Commissioners through a formal amendment process.
Comprehensive Control: The restrictions don’t just cover basic land use – they incorporate nine separate technical documents that govern everything from street design to environmental standards. This includes:
- Master Plan and regulating maps
- Development area designations
- Transportation and thoroughfare classifications
- Detailed design codes
- Environmental analysis requirements
- Green infrastructure implementation standards
Broad Enforcement: What makes these restrictions particularly robust is that they can be enforced not just by the county, but by “any other person, firm, corporation, or governmental agency that is substantially benefited by this Declaration.”
Why This Matters for the Community
Long-term Vision Protection: By locking in these development standards through deed restrictions rather than just zoning, Escambia County ensures that future political changes won’t derail the carefully planned vision for this important site.
Quality Assurance: The comprehensive nature of the incorporated planning documents set the stage for a high-quality, well-planned development rather than typical suburban sprawl.
Community Input Preservation: The Master Plan underwent an extensive public hearing and community input process. It was enacted into county ordinances in November 2021. The deed restrictions preserve that community-vetted vision.
The OLF-8 sale will be considered during the Board of County Commissioners meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building.