Commission approves private seawall at 5409 N. Surf Road after insurance assurances, 6–1

Hollywood — After a lengthy discussion about sea turtles, shoreline impacts and insurance, the Hollywood City Commission voted 6–1 on Sept. 17 to approve a license agreement allowing homeowners Steven and Jody Streli to remove and rebuild the seawall in front of 5409 North Surf Road in the city right-of-way.

The motion (moved by Commissioner Calari, seconded by Commissioner Hernandez) carried with Commissioner Schuham opposed.

Why it matters: The city’s shoreline is an important recreational and ecological resource. Residents pressed the commission to block new shoreline armoring, saying seawalls can intensify erosion at adjacent sites and harm sea-turtle nesting. The property owners and their engineer said the existing seawall is deteriorated, creating a present safety and structural risk; they said reconstruction will stabilize the shoreline immediately adjacent to their house and will not expand coverage beyond two neighboring properties. The substantive question for the commission was whether the city should permit and document a private rebuild on public sand while protecting the city from liability.

Key facts: The owner’s engineer testified the rebuilt seawall would be similar in elevation and design to the existing buried/semi-submerged wall and would retain sand and reduce wave energy in severe storms by breaking waves farther offshore. The site already has an aged seawall with exposed rebar, the owner said, and the proposed work would repair that existing marine infrastructure. The applicant said he has met preliminarily with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Department of Environmental Protection; both agencies must issue their permits separately.

Insurance and liability: The administration told the commission that the city has general liability coverage for public activities ($1,000,000) and a property-insurance line for land improvements (a $2,000,000 limit) that can cover seawalls. The city also requires the contractor to carry construction insurance listing the city as an additional insured; that contractor insurance is intended to cover the city during the statute-of-limitations period after construction. The homeowner’s insurance broker told the commission that commercial policies insuring a private party for improvements located on public land are uncommon and that insurers typically refuse to cover improvements that the homeowner does not own. The proposed license removes the expectation that the owner will insure the city’s seawall (the seawall is within the city right-of-way and therefore is city property), and the commission accepted staff assurances about coverage for the city.

Opposition: Dozens of residents and environmental advocates urged the commissioners to deny the permit, saying seawalls worsen long-term beach erosion and harm marine wildlife including sea turtles. The Sea Turtle Conservancy provided written opposition to the city and warned that shoreline hardening should be a last-resort measure. Several speakers recommended alternatives such as moving a wall landward onto private property, or deeper on-site foundation solutions that would not require armoring the city right-of-way.

Action taken: The commission voted to approve the amended right-of-way license with the conditions in the staff report. The motion passed 6–1 (Commissioner Schuham opposed). The item requires permits from FWC and DEP before work can begin.

What’s next: The homeowner will apply for and must secure state and federal agency permits (FWC, DEP), and the contractor must provide required insurance and comply with the city’s license conditions. Staff will ensure recorded permits and insurance are in place before construction.

Quotes: Homeowner Steven Straley: “We have an existing seawall now, it’s 75 years old, it’s crumbling, it’s cracking… it’s a liability for everyone at that point so we’re gonna restore that.” Tammy Heckler, Human Resources Director (staff on insurance): “We have a $1,000,000 general liability policy… and land improvements are covered under a $2,000,000 property policy; contractor insurance will be required during construction and will provide best protection for the city.”

Ending: The owner and staff said they will pursue agency permits and the contractor must comply with the city insurance and construction requirements; opponents said they will continue to press for alternatives in future shoreline policy discussions.