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Highland Beach approves waterways grant application amid sharp criticism of state permitting delays
Summary
The commission adopted Resolution 2026-002 to apply for a Florida Inland Navigation District waterways grant for a marine docking facility, while staff expressed frustration with permitting delays and mitigation requirements from the South Florida Water Management District.
The Town Commission voted to adopt Resolution 2026-002, authorizing the town to apply for financial assistance under the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Waterways Assistance Program for a proposed marine docking facility intended to improve public safety operations in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Town Manager Labradi described a protracted permitting dispute with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), saying the town has completed two seagrass surveys and expects to resubmit the application in April but is skeptical about further design spending without a clearer path to permit approval. Labradi said the town requested a de minimis mitigation waiver for a roughly 32.6-square-foot impact area, called the SFWMD stance “irrational” and said the town’s engineers and outside experts described mitigation as unlikely to succeed in the state.
Commissioners and staff discussed legal and administrative remedies, and Labradi said the town has engaged lobbyists and reached out to legislative contacts to escalate the issue if necessary. Labradi said engineers warned against spending hundreds of thousands more on mitigation that may not yield a permit. The commission approved the resolution to keep the grant opportunity active while staff pursues administrative and legislative avenues.
Motion and vote: Commissioner (speaker 6) moved to adopt Resolution 2026-002; the motion was seconded and passed by roll-call vote with all commissioners voting yes.
Next steps: staff will re-submit permit materials and continue outreach to the FIND, SFWMD and legislative contacts; the commission identified this project as a top strategic priority.
