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Commission approves two Alligator Point seawall variances 3–2; DEP review and turtle/erosion studies still pending
Summary
The board granted two separate variances allowing seawalls within the Coastal Construction Control Line at 1371 and 1373 Chip Morrison Drive, contingent on final approvals by Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Commissioners Sanders and Amison voted against both approvals, citing downstream erosion concerns; the county attorney confirmed DEP will perform vulnerability and beach-model reviews and FWC will be consulted.
The Franklin County Board of County Commissioners narrowly approved two variance requests April 1 to permit seawalls within the Coastal Construction Control Line at adjacent Alligator Point parcels (1371 and 1373 Chip Morrison Drive). Each variance passed on a 3–2 vote (Commissioners Ricky Jones, Jessica Ward and Anthony Croom in favor; Commissioners Cheryl Sanders and Ottice Amison opposed). Both approvals were explicitly made contingent on FDEP permitting.
The applicants’ representatives said they removed rip-rap from the front of the proposed seawall design after concerns about sea-turtle interactions were raised during prior discussions. County Attorney David Theriaque reported DEP had received revised plans and that DEP engineers will evaluate the submittal for erosion effects on neighboring properties, perform a beach-model/vulnerability analysis and route the plans to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission if warranted. He recommended that the county’s variance approvals should not be interpreted as endorsement of a particular engineering design; final design approval rests with FDEP.
Public comment included a neighbor’s concern about historic shoreline retreat in the block and the risk that localized hard armoring could accelerate erosion on adjacent properties. Commissioner Sanders said the area has a history of repetitive storm damage and expressed concern about approving hard armoring that might shift erosion downcoast. Commissioners Ward and Jones said property owners have a right to protect threatened shoreline structures and that DEP’s technical review will evaluate impacts.
Actions and votes: Two separate motions to approve the variances passed 3–2; both approvals included a condition that FDEP must approve the revised seawall plans before construction proceeds.
What’s next: Applicants will await FDEP’s technical review and permits, and the county will rely on DEP’s vulnerability and beach-model analyses and any FWC input before any construction can proceed.
Quote: “If we approve a variance, that does not approve the design — that is DEP’s purview,” County Attorney David Theriaque told the board.
Ending: The board approved variance authorization subject to FDEP review; attorneys and staff emphasized DEP’s independent permitting role.
