Coastal Management Easement Initiative Open House

• 19 January 2023
• Category: Coastal Projects Public Meetings
• Tags: 2023

St. Johns County to Host Additional Open Houses for Coastal Management Easement Initiative

St. Johns County will host additional open houses to support the ongoing Coastal Management Easement Initiative.

South Ponte Vedra Beach and Vilano Beach

When: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023

            4 to 6 p.m.

Where: South Ponte Vedra Civic Association

2724 South Ponte Vedra Boulevard

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, and Summer Haven

When: Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023

            4 to 6 p.m.

Where: St. Augustine Beach City Hall

 2200 A1A South

St. Augustine, FL 32080

St. Johns County mailed easement documents to homeowners along the coast in Ponte Vedra, South Ponte Vedra, Vilano Beach, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, and Summer Haven. Homeowners in these areas could receive sand from future County-initiated sand placement projects. The most immediate opportunity for property owners to receive sand is a potential FEMA Dune Enhancement Project in response to damages from hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

For the County to be able to add sand to the dunes during this potential project and any future projects, homeowners must grant an easement for the County to work on the beach on the seaward side of their property. The easements are limited in scope and do not include access through the property from the road or access to the front and side yards. The easements grant access to the beach, and to the dunes from the beach. The County proposed perpetual easements to enable a more efficient response to future needs, but staff can also help homeowners with limited-duration easements.

The upcoming open houses will be an excellent opportunity for homeowners to get answers to any questions related to the easements from St. Johns County Coastal Management staff. Notaries will be present at the open houses to notarize any easement documents signed by homeowners.

One or more County Commissioners may be present at the open houses. The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners will take no action at the open houses.