The Marine Advisory Board on Nov. 8 recommended denial of a dock-waiver request for 1409 Southwest 17th Street after neighbors and board members raised navigation and emergency-access concerns.

Applicant representative Lisa McConnell described the parcel as a unified plat that includes a privately owned boat-slip basin and asked the board to allow replacement and modest extension of two finger piers (a proposed 50-foot and 30-foot configuration) and a raised seawall. McConnell said the applicant’s survey and tax assessment show the owner holds title to submerged land (a private basin) adjacent to the upland parcel and argued the proposed structures would not encroach on the navigable center channel.

Several nearby residents told the board the canal is narrower in practice than aerial images suggest and said a longer pier would block turning space and reduce emergency access for barges and service vessels. Roy Rodriguez said he lives across the canal and that a new 56-foot pier would “take up that whole area” and create congestion. River Oaks Association President Ted Morley said the neighborhood unanimously opposed setting a precedent that could further restrict navigation.

Board counsel reviewed the local code and the properties’ plats and advised the board the waterway width should be measured from the recorded platted property line, not from the outer edge of submerged lands, and warned that interpreting the code otherwise would produce unreasonable results for adjacent parcels. Counsel proposed a reduced pier length as a compromise. After roll-call, the board voted to deny the applicant’s requested waiver; the board’s denial will be forwarded to the city commission with the board’s recommendation.

Provenance: Applicant presentation and survey discussion (01:05:00–01:20:00); neighbor public comment (01:12:40–01:33:00); legal review and roll-call vote (01:33:45–02:02:05).