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Council approves first reading to ban motorized boats at Alexander Island shoreline
Summary
City council approved first reading of an ordinance establishing a motorized vessel exclusion zone (MVEZ) near Alexander Island Park to protect nonmotorized recreation and shoreline users; a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is pending.
The City of DeBary approved first reading of Ordinance O‑3‑20‑25 to create a motorized vessel exclusion zone (MVEZ) in a portion of the St. Johns River adjacent to the city’s planned Alexander Island Park.
City Engineer Richard Wilson told council the measure is intended "to improve public safety, protect environmental resources, and enhance the recreational experience" for park visitors engaging in nonmotorized activities such as kayak launch and use of the fishing pier. He said the proposed exclusion covers roughly 1,000 linear feet of the island's approximately 8,400 feet of river frontage and that permit review is ongoing with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Wilson said the exclusion zone will include openings to allow emergency access and passage of nonmotorized boats. He described next steps as barrier identification, procurement, coordination with local law enforcement and public awareness work, and noted installation and maintenance costs would come from the parks and recreation budget. "There are openings in the barrier, to allow for emergency use or for the kayak non motorized vessels to go on both sides of the line," Wilson said.
Council members asked about enforcement and lifeguards. Council member Sell asked if the city planned to staff the park with someone who could enforce the zone; Wilson replied the park is not intended to be a formal swimming beach and that staff expect daytime presence when the park is open but that formal enforcement details are to be determined. Vice Mayor Butland and others said signage and repeated public messaging will be needed to change boater habits.
Mayor Chesay noted the city owns the submerged land under the crosshatched area on the project map — property created when the river was dredged decades ago — and said that ownership strengthens the city's position though it does not by itself bar boats. A motion to approve the ordinance's first reading carried 5‑0 (Vice Mayor Butland, Council members Stevenson, Papalardo, Sell and Mayor Chesay voting yes). Staff will submit the ordinance to Florida Fish and Wildlife for formal approval and proceed with barrier and signage work once permits are issued.
