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Commissioners permit amendment to conservation easement to allow dock access at 525 South Shore Drive with conditions
Summary
The board approved an amendment to a conservation easement recorded after prior code enforcement, allowing a narrowly sited access ramp and dock at 525 South Shore Drive subject to avoidance/minimization, permitting reviews and preservation of the easement language.
Sarasota County commissioners on April 8 agreed to amend a recorded conservation easement for 525 South Shore Drive to allow the property owners to seek permits for a dock access ramp sited to avoid and minimize impacts to an established mangrove fringe and seagrass beds.
Background and staff summary Howard Berna, manager of Environmental Permitting in Planning and Development Services, explained the site carries a conservation easement recorded after a prior code-enforcement case (1997) that prohibited docks and alteration of native vegetation. The shorefront now supports a mature mangrove fringe and seagrass beds. The owners proposed an amendment that would leave the conservation easement intact but permit a tightly controlled access ramp and dock located outside the mangrove fringe; any trimming or alteration would be avoided or minimized and would require standard WNCA (wetlands/navigation) and other permitting.
Developer and staff assurances Attorney Charlie Bailey, representing the owners, said the proposed amendment retains the existing conservation easement language and adds narrowly tailored permissions to allow the owners to seek regulatory permits and to site the ramp at the narrowest crossing. Bailey said the amendment is the third iteration of a draft worked on with county staff and that the owners have hired coastal engineer Christie Tigner to prepare permit-ready designs.
Board reaction and vote Commissioners discussed avoidance, minimization and staff review; several commissioners said staff would have discretion to require mitigation and siting at the least-impact location. The board voted unanimously to authorize the amendment and related permitting review.
Next steps If the amendment is executed, the owners must obtain required county and state permits and avoid impacts to the mangrove fringe and seagrass areas; staff said the WNCA-level review and conditions would control final siting and construction.
