Residents urge county to enforce waterfront development rules as staff identifies 19 county parcels at issue

Dozens of residents pressed the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 25 about what they called a ‘‘systematic avoidance of duty’’ by county staff in enforcing development conditions on canal parcels deeded to the county.

John Osanic, speaking for Friends of South Gulf Cove, told the board the options before commissioners “have never been subject to a public hearing” and warned that proposals shifting ownership or responsibility for enforcement would ‘‘undo specific government agreements previously presented to this board and the public.’’ Other speakers, including Jim Krause and Mary Ann Wise, described mangrove removal, shoreline erosion and docks that appear to contravene county and state protections in recently approved Harbor East developments.

Planning and zoning official Sean Cullinan told the board staff has identified about 19 parcels across Mid and West County that were deeded to the county by a prior developer succession (Atlantic Gulf Corporation) and that inconsistent labeling—some parcels recorded as county tracts while neighboring canals were platted public waterways—has led to confusion over whether docks can be issued there. He told commissioners the county’s default is to treat county‑owned tracts like parks and refuse private improvements, but that in some remnant tracts docks already exist and some permits have been issued in error.

Commissioners debated options that ranged from doing nothing to platting and dedicating waterways formally as public canals or dedicating tracts as canal rights of way. Commissioner Deutsch urged a public hearing to gather broader countywide testimony; that motion failed for lack of a second. Instead the board voted unanimously to direct staff to hold a public workshop that includes representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Southwest Florida Water Management District to explain enforcement pathways and to identify where the county can and cannot act. Commissioner Constance asked staff to ensure invited agencies explain ‘‘how do you handle a complaint? And what is your process?’’

The workshop is intended to map the 19 parcels, identify ones that can be resolved quickly (for example via platting or rights‑of‑way dedication) and flag those—such as parts of South Gulf Cove—where enforcement, state agency jurisdiction, or complex deed restrictions will require a more detailed remedy or further board direction.