This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from the JIDB Oceanfront Hotel, LLC for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et. seq. for the construction of a new Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant crosswalk with observation deck and planting of native grasses within the State’s Shore Protection Act (SPA) jurisdiction at 178 South Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island, Glynn County, Georgia.

The subject parcel is approximately 405,378 sq. ft. (9.31 acres), of which approximately 162,563 sq. ft. (3.73 acres) are located within the state’s SPA jurisdictional area. There are no existing impacts within the jurisdictional area.  The applicant proposes to plant native grasses and to construct a new ADA compliant crosswalk with an observation deck and four (4) switchbacks within SPA jurisdiction. The proposed ADA compliant crosswalk will be constructed using hand tools and marine grade pressure treated wood.

The proposed ADA compliant crosswalk consists of a 233 ft. by 8 ft. wide walkway that runs west to east where it meets with four switchbacks with landings to the south seaward of the terminus of the seaward most dune and landward of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM). The proposed 8 ft. by 8 ft. observation deck will be located approximately 97 ft. east from the entrance of the proposed crosswalk on the northern side and will be constructed over the accreting dynamic dune field.

The proposed terminal end of the crosswalk includes, on the northern side, a 5 ft. 6 in. by 5 ft. landing with attached 13 ft. 9 in. by 5 ft. 6 in. staircase terminating to the dry sand beach. Also at the terminal end, on the south side of the crosswalk, are four (4) proposed switchbacks with landings of varying lengths to maintain ADA compliance with a ramp to the dry sand beach. The four switchbacks are east/west facing and all landings are north/south facing and are as follows: a 5 ft. wide by 4 ft. long landing will meet the 4 ft. wide by 25 ft. long switchback, leading to a 5 ft. wide by 8 ft. long landing, leading to a 4 ft. wide by 25 ft. long switchback, leading to a 5 ft. wide by 8 ft. long landing, which leads to a 4 ft. wide by 15 ft. long switchback, leading to a 5 ft. wide by 8 ft long landing, which leads to a  4 ft. wide by 20 ft. long switchback that will terminate on the beach. Given the proposed design, approximately 29.5 ft. of structure will be oriented parallel to the ocean and the total finished area of the crosswalk structure is proposed to be approximately 2,574 sq. ft.

In addition to the dune crosswalk, the applicant proposes to enhance a currently undisturbed area with ornamental native grasses, predominantly Muhly Grasses, which will temporarily impact approximately 5,545 sq. ft. within SPA jurisdiction. As proposed, approximately 162,563 sq. ft. (100%) of the State’s jurisdictional area would remain in a natural or improved topographic and vegetative condition.

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.

A detailed public notice with drawings has been distributed and is available by visiting the Department of Natural Resources website: CoastalGaDNR.org under “Marsh & Shore Permits”.  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 March 10, 2020 to Amy Flowers, Department of Natural, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.

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