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Residents urge delay, voter education and a Barrier Island master plan during packed public comment
Summary
More than a dozen residents urged commissioners to delay placing beach and election items on a crowded November ballot, demanded clearer voter education, and asked for a Barrier Island master plan before changing charter protections.
During a lengthy public-comment period, residents across multiple districts criticized the timing and substance of the charter package and urged the commission to delay some questions until March 2027 to allow more public education and a master plan for the Barrier Island. Commenters emphasized turnout and voter familiarity concerns for a November ballot and warned that moving several technical items to a complex general-election ballot risks uninformed decisions.
Speakers repeatedly pressed commissioners to provide clear explanatory materials ahead of any vote. April Bolewicz said voters would be overwhelmed by a crowded November ballot and highlighted that the change could postpone March 2027 and March 2029 elections. Resident Sam Perk said extending terms by nearly two years "compromises public trust" and described personal plans to run in the March election who would be delayed by the change. Others called for a focused Barrier Island master plan, targeted spot zoning, or a beach redevelopment board prior to modifying FAR and other coastal protections.
