Sandusky commission approves submerged‑land lease changes and shore‑permit applications for waterfront repairs

The Sandusky City Commission on May 12 adopted resolutions authorizing modified submerged‑land leases and approving shore‑structure permit applications to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for repairs and upgrades to multiple waterfront structures.

City staff said the approvals cover work at multiple sites including Mig Street Pier, north and east breakwaters, Water Street Pier/Springer’s Wharf, marina bulkheads and floating dock systems, and will allow the city and applicants to seek shore‑structure permits and enter modified submerged‑land leases with the state.

Miss Gilson, a city staff member, told the commission the work being authorized falls into seven categories, including raising bulkheads and shore structures to account for increased projected wave heights, installing new piling and floating‑dock systems for transient boat use, relocating the marina fuel dock to the North Breakwaters, and reconstructing floating docks with new mechanical and electrical systems. “All piers, breakwaters, and bulkheads will be raised in elevation to accommodate for the year over year increased projected wave heights,” she said.

Gilson also said the applications request a lease extension to 99 years, an amendment splitting a parcel for conveyance, reuse of material as core fill to raise structures, and an exemption from the seasonal water‑ban restriction between March 15 and June 30. She said cost estimates were still being formulated and that funding had not been finalized: “the cost estimates are still being formulated, so there isn’t a total cost available today as well as lining up the funding that will pay for that.”

Resident Tim Schwanger, who had asked several public‑comment questions earlier about the Battery Park shoreline repair items, asked when final construction plans would be made public and whether the city could hold a public information session similar to past waterfront projects. Gilson responded that staff would “work on a communication strategy so that [the plan] is shared with the community.”

Commissioner Murray asked whether the basic configuration of the hard walls would change. Miss Gilson replied the hard structures’ basic configuration would remain essentially the same and the work is primarily reinforcement and improvements. Murray also asked whether the cost would be borne by the tenant; Gilson answered, “That is correct.”

The commission voted to adopt the resolutions authorizing submittal of shore permit applications and the modified submerged‑land lease requests. Commissioners recorded affirmative votes during roll calls; the motions carried and the resolutions were declared passed.

City staff said additional details—including formal cost estimates, final design drawings and a public outreach plan—will be provided to the commission and posted for the public when available. The items require state approvals and subsequent permitting before construction can begin.

Why it matters: the changes authorize both permitting and lease terms that would allow significant shoreline work, including raising bulkheads and relocating marina infrastructure, and they commit the city to a public notification process as staff refines cost and design details.