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Perdido Key customary-use debate returns to Escambia County commissioners amid property-rights concerns
Summary
Residents and beach property owners clashed at the public forum over implementing the state'passed customary-use law, with supporters citing public access and opponents warning of lost private rights and maintenance costs. Commissioners agreed to discuss options with staff and legal counsel.
Supporters of expanding "customary use" on Perdido Key told the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 18 that the state'level change (referred to repeatedly as Senate Bill 1622) restores pre-2018 access to beaches and would help resolve long-running access disputes.
"It's a state law, so it's what y'all wanna do with it," said Gary Holt, a Perdido Key property owner and longtime beach advocate, urging the board to direct legal staff to prepare an ordinance and begin enforcement discussions early next year.
Opponents, including condo and beachfront property owners, argued…
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