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| What would happen if the BCC installed "no-trespassing" signs all the way down to the beach water line and enforced this with our 300' of beach property--just like the condo owners on Perdido Key are doing presently? Would that force this issue to be addressed? |
In preparation for this Thursday's meeting on the subject of public beach access, I am doing a significant amount of research on this topic all weekend. I think it is an absolute travesty that we are not doing more to #OpenOurBeach ! as it pertains to a large, 300' beachfront plot of land we own on Perdido Key.
I've requested additional information from the staff over the last two days--to include legal, zoning, and environmental "opinions" on whether or not we can open this beach quickly, as was the original intent when this property was purchased, if the resources to do so are identified (e.g. is there any legal reason we cannot open this property if we do so as was contemplated in these documents here, here, and here?).
Obviously--this beachfront is currently, right now, being utilized by a few fortunate residents who have access to this publicly owned beach via a privately owned and maintained wooden beach walkover. (that also is locked and has a "only for use by residents of Sundown Condominium Owners and guests") sign affixed to the gate.
So yes, doing nothing and making no forward progress on getting this 300' of beach frontage opened for the public creates a very comfortable "status quo" for the few condo owners and paying customers of the nearby "Crab Trap" restaurant that are currently benefiting by the Board's inaction on this.
They get to use our beach at their whim with no "competition" from the taxpaying citizens who paid for and would also like to use the beach.
It is a very comfortable status quo for them--just as I have stated earlier here.
These lucky few condo owners are now having their cake and eating it too!....They get to fence off their "private" waterfront areas within their condominium footprints-- and even hire private security guards to keep the public out of "their" areas and off "their" beaches-- while simultaneously using a wooden structure they own on a 10 foot sliver of property that runs down to the beach--to use our 300' of beach exclusively! (remember, you and I are locked out of this property and no trespassing signs are on the property)
I wonder what would happen if the county installed "No Trespassing" signs all the way down to the beach on both sides of our 300' section of this beach and had security keep the condo owners off our property like the condos keep the public off of their property? I wonder how that would play out?
Of course I'd never support actually doing that-- but I bet if we did do this it would spur some action on getting this beach access opened up.
I want us all to be able to enjoy the beach--that's why it is imperative that we do what we told the FEDS we would do--conserve the dunes for habitat and signage, provide public parking and ADA accessibility, and #OpenOurBeach !
11 comments:
Sorry you left out researching that this Beach has been wildly used by both residents of Perdido Key, other parts of Pensacola, and even Alabamians, I am one of them since 2006.
Do all of us a favor, when our 'Watch Groups' that always watch Every BOCC meetings and the COW also, find all the truths to tell not just the tunnel vision politically motivated ones. We in Perdido Key are the farthest thing from Misguided or Uninformed Citizens. It may have been some sort of Secret to you personally, but not to us #KnowYourCommunity #LongRangePlanning
Respectfully
We'll be watching and recording
Dee Horton--
I've been accused of not doing my research--which is utter rubbish--but in an effort to be fully up to speed on this issue in particular prior to Thursday, I am making this a special, intensive area of research and study this weekend leading up to the meeting. This is not a "political" issue so far as I am concerned. I just want us to do what we said we would do when we spent $3.1 million to acquire this property with taxpayer dollars.. I want us to #OpenOurBeach without delaying and finding convenient excuses not to do this. Right now, there are condo owners on the key that have roped off their beaches from use by the public. Right now they have security guards telling citizens they cannot walk on and enjoy the beach. Right now on Perdido Key there are some condo owners who are using their private walkover to use this 300 feet of Gulf-front Beach that the public paid for. Is that right, and is that fair, Dee Horton? This is why this is going to change and we will #OpenOurBeach anyone who in sincerely interested in this legitimate issue and wants to do what's right should "get in front of it" and do what's right--open it up. The dumb thing to do, however, would be to quadruple-down on the loser position that the status quo, as it is right now with this property, is the acceptable course. Let me just tell you something...that opinion is akin to the pilot, on a collision course with a mountain, telling the co-pilot "Shut up, I'm the pilot and we will miss that mountain by a mile--do not question me!" That plane goes into the mountain Dee, figuratively and literally. Do you understand this?
Commissioner Bergosh, you may not be aware that Dee Sanders Horton informed the members of the Facebook forum "Escambia Citizens Watch (free speech)" that she has been using that stretch of beach for quite some time to do wedding shoots there. So if this beach were to be truly opened up for public access, that could significantly impact the bottom line of her photography business. It would need to remain relatively un-peopled for continued use as a backdrop.
I have some concerns about whether the conservation lands and dunes are being treated respectfully, since the property is officially closed for public use, and, I would imagine, not being actively monitored for mis-use.
Sincerely,
Melissa Pino
Ask her a question --- bet she can't answer it..but why waste your time. Underhill supporters..If they can't dazzle with brilliance they try to baffle with B/S #itisnotworkinganymore.
dunderhills
So has the photography business been trampling mouse habit?
#finetheviolators
Lock her up
Dee Horton is a nice lady and a good photographer but in her very own words "I am a PROUD close and personal friend of the Underhill family." I think that trumps anything she might have to say here.
If claims are being made that this HAS actually been open to the public, then would that not be a clear case of discriminatory behavior by the commissioner in D2 if only certain people that he chooses can have this access? It seems it would be expedient to point that out to him and the public during your next opportunity at this meeting.
The photographer claims it has been WILDLY used.,What wild thing does she want you to make sure you speak up in the meeting about. Do tell. Wild Use by Perdido residents So are they and the commissioner expecting the poor people from other areas do with out, so they can funnel tax dollars to their own private advantages and wildness as she claims. Is she trying to help the cause or what? Seems like if I were Doug I would ask some of the Dunderhills to just quit opening their mouths.
Since this property predates the Perdido Key Master Plan and Escambia Owns it. I propose we OPT OUT from the zoning of the master plan if that is an issue and revert it to the other use if necessasy.
The Master Plan, property owner can OPT OUT..right?
I think the HCP Habitat Conservation Plan is also being misconstrued, to just keep this for the " Taking" is like an ace and it doesn't matter who owns it -- correct?
A good legal, non biased opinion about this document is in order. Perhaps it is being manipulated for political reasons and development reasons. It is NOT to protect poor little old reintroduced "endangered species" crock of baloney.
You know the Beach Mouse was reintroduced, That is not a conspiracy theory. Google Perdido Key Mouse and Radio collar in the same search it will come up.
Thank you for your work on this--Counting on you Chairman.
3 years later.
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