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This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Jekyll Island State Park Authority (JIA) for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et. seq., for replacement of public bath house/restrooms, construction of family and group pavilions, sidewalk extension, and landscaping within the State’s SPA Jurisdiction, at Oceanview Beach Park on Jekyll Island, Glynn County, Georgia.
The subject parcel for the proposed project site consists of 279,655.2 sq. ft. (6.42 acres). Existing impacts within jurisdiction include 55,019 sq. ft. of a paved parking lot, a 1,361 sq. ft. public bath house/restrooms, and 10,953 sq. ft. of concrete sidewalks, and an existing beach crossover.
The Shore Protection Committee issued SPA Permit #456 on March 30, 2018, which allows for the modification of the existing crossover structure to provide ADA access. The crossover has not been constructed, but the permit allows for the structure to be approximately 2,005 sq. ft. Impacts currently existing and permitted within SPA jurisdiction total approximately 69,338 sq. ft. (1.59 acres).
The applicant is proposing beach park improvement activities including demolition of the existing public bath house/restrooms and construction of new public bath house/restrooms, construction of three (3) new family pavilions with sidewalk connections to the existing bike path and construction of two (2) new group pavilions with sidewalk connections to the existing bike path, and landscaping.
The proposed new bath house/restroom will be constructed in the same location as the existing and will be 1,826 sq. ft. (net increase of 465 sq. ft.). The proposed pavilions will consist of three (3) 16 ft. x 22 ft. family pavilions (1,029 sq. ft. within jurisdiction) and two (2) 20 ft. x 36 ft. group pavilions (1,440 sq. ft.). The proposed sidewalk connections (1,269 sq. ft.) will connect the proposed pavilions to the existing sidewalk. The total increase of proposed hardscape within the jurisdictional area is 4,203 sq. ft.
In addition, the applicant is proposed to conduct landscaping on the landward side of the existing sidewalk/bike path. Landscaping will include the modification to the existing 8,000 sq. ft. bioswale located on the northern portion of the project area.
As proposed, the total jurisdictional impacts of hardscape would be approximately 73,541 sq. ft. (26%). Approximately, 206,114.2 sq. ft. (74%) of the state’s jurisdictional area will be retained or restored to a more natural vegetated and topographic state.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the project is not contrary to the public interest and that no feasible alternative sites exist. In passing upon the application for permit, the permit issuing authority shall consider the public interest which for purposes of this part shall be deemed to be the following considerations: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful, increased alteration of the dynamic dune field or submerged lands, or function of the sand-sharing system will be created; (2) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of marine life, wildlife, or other resources; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with reasonable access by and recreational use and enjoyment of public properties impacted by the project.
Please provide this office with substantive, site-specific comments as to why the proposed work should or should not proceed. Comments and questions concerning this proposed project should be submitted in writing and be submitted by the close of business on August 31, 2018 to Jordan Dodson, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
Click here for the Project Application
