Residents urge preservation of Bowditch Point language after comp‑plan draft emphasizes recreational access

At the Nov. 25 joint hearing, multiple residents urged the council to restore preservation‑focused language for Bowditch Point Park and to keep dunes and sensitive coastal habitat protected from expanded recreational access.

Kathy Schultz, a resident, told the council the draft replaces original plan language that “enhance[d] the natural resources at Bowditch Park” with wording that prioritizes “increased accessibility for recreational purposes.” She said the change would amount to “a pretty significant shift” away from the park’s prior preserve/quiet‑beach characterization and asked the council to restore the earlier wording.

Staff acknowledged the change reflected earlier plan text that carried forward in the draft, and said they would prepare revised wording to emphasize habitat protection. Council members and staff discussed a compromise that would instruct staff to “balance accessibility and environmental protection” for Bowditch Point — language staff said they would bring back with precise wording.

Separately, residents and council members discussed beach and dune management practices — including permitted raking and control of invasive vegetation — and recommended the plan include a dune management and maintenance program consistent with DEP and FWC rules. Staff agreed to incorporate language instructing a dune management program that protects existing and future dunes and controls invasive plants, while noting specific permits and operational details remain under state and LDC authority.

The council did not adopt final language Nov. 25; staff will return redlines and a short change sheet for the Dec. 1 meeting.