Board approves several Navarre/Gulf Breeze shoreline and setback variances amid erosion concerns

Several shoreline and setback variance requests on Aug. 13 were approved after staff presentations and limited public comment. The board heard that erosion and seawall history in parts of Navarre Beach and Gulf Breeze have produced precedents for reduced rear setbacks on certain lots.

Key items included a variance to reduce the shoreline protection setback from 50 to 18 feet for a pool at a Grand Navarre Boulevard address (applicant represented by Joe Hill), and several residential variances on Navarre Parkway and Emerald Sound Road where narrow lots or prior construction limited buildable footprints. Staff noted previous variances and seawall installations in the area; applicants said their proposed work (pools, patio covers, additions or houses) would match neighboring properties and that stormwater and permitting requirements remain in place.

Neighbors asked questions about erosion history and whether future approvals would further reduce protective buffers; board members and staff emphasized that seawalls have been installed at some neighboring properties and that building and stormwater permits will require lot‑grading and inspections.

Quote: "They'll do a good job. I guarantee you," a board member said after reviewing the applicant’s drawings for a patio cover replacement that required a 13‑foot rear setback variance.