UPDATE: DOCUMENT ATTACHED (click here) New Development Update
Property development on SHI is very active this year, as you have probably seen. Baron Island Storage has begun construction and land has been cleared in the areas of OceanGlass (28 townhomes) across from Atlantis, and Sea Oats (4 townhomes) & Missy’s Beach House (single family) across from Islandia. St. Lucie County’s Land Development Code (LDC) includes a section specific to Hutchinson Island Residential Development (HIRD) to ensure that the unique characteristics of our barrier island are protected. There are several vacant parcels that have caught the interest of developers who are discussing plans that exceed zoning and development codes, such as encroaching on shoreline protection setbacks and wetland buffers, exceeding 35’ building height limit and alcohol sales nearby county parks. As requests for waivers and amendments are submitted for County Commissioner consideration, PC will alert you to dates and details to encourage your support of existing zoning and development codes to protect the environment and residents of SHI. Federal Beach Project– Alert
Construction Easements: Presently, the Corps continues to indicate that for the project to proceed nothing less than 100% participation is acceptable, despite efforts to convince them 99%+/- of the beachfront is more than sufficient. We understand a Corps only, multi-committee meeting to further evaluate the matter is next Tues., April 13th. Please see the attached email & letter to the USACE for additional information and join us in sending your own letter to the Corps. This is in addition to an all-out, multi-prong effort underway by the County as well. Costs: Good news! $4.3M less! The Corps now estimates project costs at $18.5M instead of the prior $22.8M. It is expected most of it will fall to the bottom line, reducing the amount required from the “local share” after adjustments in Federal and State funding. An updated official summary is pending. Funding: Efforts continue concerning county-wide sourced funding. Please see attached email & letter to SLC and if you have not already, please join other PC members with your own letter or e-mail. Project funding may or may not be part of the discussion at the next Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Informal Meeting (9 am also next Tues., April 13th) as part of agenda item “A. St. Lucie County FY 2021 ‐ 2023 Strategic Plan Strategic Initiatives Review”. Public comment is typically only part of “Formal” NOT Informal BOCC Meetings. Meeting Notices and agendas can be followed at: https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-services/a-z/board-of-county-commissioners/meeting-portal-page Lastly if you haven’t already, please post this and the attachments on your bulletin board and if possible, forward it to your residents. Thank you! Harvey Alligood, VP & Chair of the Beach & Dune Committee may be contacted at 414/202-4278 or via e-mail via pcofhi@gmail.com or directly at jhalligood@gmail.com PC Board letter to State Legislature re “home rule” pending bills
As you may be aware, there are several bills in the State Legislature that would preempt County home rule ability to act in the best interest of the local residents. St Lucie County Commissioners recently enacted a Resolution (21-026) urging members of the Legislature to oppose these bills. In support of this Resolution, the PC Board sent a letter to the Legislature (copy attached to this post). We encourage interested Associations and individuals to also forward similar letters to Tallahassee to help ensure that state standardization of regulation does not supersede controls based on local needs. (click here to view letter) Reminder - Beach Funding Letter to SLC
As Harvey Alligood, B&D Committee Chair, explained at the meeting this week, a mailing went out on Wednesday asking Associations and individual members to send letters to the Commissioners in support of County-wide funding for the Federal Beach Project. Currently the State and Federal governments provide 2/3 of the project funding. The remaining amount, “local share”, will be funded by the County and local owners. To date the County has not indicated that there will be any “County-wide” funding provided and will rely only on the SHI MSTU, with the local property owners paying the total “local share” portion. We need to voice our view to the SLC Commissioners, that county-wide funding is warranted. If you have not already done so, please ensure that your letter is sent to the County by the end of March. Reminder: 2021 President Council Membership Renewals Due
2021 PC Membership renewals were due January 1. We appreciate the renewals of the Associations who have continued their support of PC. We ask that any Association, who has not yet paid their 2021 membership, please forward your check to 11007 S Ocean Dr #6220, Jensen Beach. Your membership will ensure that you are informed of critical information on issues impacting the island and future meetings with guest speakers of interest to your residents. New Property Development on HI
As you have seen, there is considerable development activity along A1A with new signs being posted and parcels being cleared. PC Board members remain engaged with SLC Planning & Development Services to gain updates and progress reports regarding these projects. The latest update on the “New Development Projects” is on the website. click here to view New Legislation in State Senate On February 23rd, SLC voted to approve Resolution 21-026 to oppose state legislation that would preempt county home rule ability to act in a timely manner in the best interest of the residents of the county. A couple of the bills that have been filed in the 2021 Legislative Session could have significant negative impact on SHI; i.e. control over Ft Pierce Port and regulations over short term rental properties. As you see in the summaries below, this topic was discussed during the meetings with both SLC Commissioner Mitchell and State Senator Harrell. PC will continue to engage in discussion on this topic and keep the membership advised. Fire Dept Communication System - BDA Survey At this time a holding pattern is recommended, as the President’s Council continues to work with the Fire Marshall and County Commissioners to research the most effective way to comply with the state regulations. Everyone will be kept informed as progress is made on this issue. We expect to have more information by late summer. Minutes for 2/17/2021 PC Membership Meeting Links for information from Senator Gayle Harrell discussion. click here Joshua Revord joined the 2/17/2021 meeting to provide an update on the status of the Perpetual Construction Easements (CE), the last milestone to complete before a successful “initial start” for the Federal Beach Project.
· Only 1 Association and a couple of landowners have not yet returned the signed CE. PC will continue to support the County to acquire all of the CEs from the property owners. We hope to build on the 90% participation rate to date, to over 95% participation. · Expect USACE to bid the project in June/July and award contracts September/October. Placing sand on the Beach will occur after turtle season, November through March. February 1st 11:00am at Island Dunes Country Club. St Lucie County hosted - informational outreach meeting regarding the Federal Beach Project Construction Easements. SLC encourages interested property owners who have yet to execute and submit required easement documents to attend. (SLC letter dated January 15th attached)
Presidents Council (PC) 2021 membership renewals were due this month and many have been received. If you have not already done so, please mail your renewal checks to PO Box (11007 S Ocean Dr #6220, Jensen Beach, 34957). If there are changes to your Association’s Board at your 2021 Annual Meeting, please complete a PC 2021 data sheet (available on the website https://www.pcofhi.com/members.html) and email to pcofhi@gmail.com.
All changes will be reflected in the PC distribution list. |
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PRESIDENTS COUNCIL OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND | MISSION STATEMENT
The President’s Council, working together, seeks to maintain and enhance the lives of the owners and residents of Hutchinson Island. President’s Council serves St Lucie County, Hutchinson Island resident concerns, such as beach & dune, island safety & beautification, roads, future development and County services affecting us. |