Public commenters raise Ragged Point beach access claims and urge clearer solar guidelines

During the public‑comment period on April 13, two residents brought separate issues to the board’s attention.

Rich Wilkins (who identified his address) urged the board to improve constituent follow‑up processes after several unanswered emails and texts. He asked officials to clarify why a county right‑of‑way appears on property records off Longfield Road and requested better tracking on case follow‑up (an office form for "office use only" that indicates whether an issue was resolved and who must follow up). Wilkins also asked that the county’s solar guidelines apply the same environmental and visual setback standards to solar facilities of less than 50 acres as apply to larger projects.

James Dow presented three written testimonies on behalf of neighbors living at Ragged Point, saying his deed and those of neighbors have historically included walking access to sandy beaches there. He said a pending court case has limited access and that property owners are now being blocked from using the beach; he asked the county to restore walking access from Pecolia Drive and left copies of testimony for the record.

The chair closed public comment after the speakers; staff or appropriate departments were invited to follow up with requesters by phone or email.

What happens next: the board did not take immediate action at the meeting; the transcript shows requests for administrative follow‑up and documentation left by the commenters for staff review.