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This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Georgia Coast Holdings, LLC for a modification of Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit #425 under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et. seq., for turf replacement, installation of drainage system, construction of bioswales, and landscaping within the State’s SPA jurisdiction, at 701 Beachview Drive N, Jekyll Island, Glynn County, Georgia.
SPA Permit #425 was granted on February 21, 2014 to Georgia Coast Holdings, LLC to remodel the existing Holiday Inn hotel, pool facilities, and crosswalk, construct a new crosswalk, and install landscaping at 721 Beachview Drive on Jekyll Island. Both of the crosswalks have been modified and constructed in compliance with SPA Permit #425. This permit was modified June 24, 2016 to make the southern crosswalk ADA accessible and change the location of the approved shower beside the pool to a more seaward location on the seaward side of the existing footpath.
Currently, the applicant’s leased property is approximately 348,881.01 square feet (8.01 acres) of which 77,906.19 square feet (1.79 acres) is located within the state’s SPA jurisdiction. The project area includes the entire leased property within the state’s SPA jurisdiction, as well as the area just seaward of the leased property boundary. The leased property area, within jurisdiction, currently consists of a maintained lawn, sidewalks, a pool, pool deck, an outbuilding, and landscaping. The project area seaward of the leased boundary consists of lawn and a sidewalk. Existing impacts within the project area total approximately 32,627 square feet (0.75 acres). The applicant has received permission from Jekyll Island Authority for the portion of the proposed project that is outside of their leased area.
The applicant proposes to modify SPA Permit #425 to include the replacement of the existing Bermuda turf (Cynodon sp.) with Platinum TETM Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), the installation of a drainage system, and the construction of two bioswales planted as natural grassland habitats. The drainage system will treat the seaward facing hotel building roof runoff, as well as the low-lying turf area where ponding regularly occurs. The current modification request includes no additions to or improvements of the previously permitted hardscapes.
The sod replacement will total 17,226 sq.ft. and the two bioswales will total 7,226 sq.ft. The proposed drainage system for the northern three buildings includes 4” solid PVC conduits at each existing downspout. For the southern building, a 6” French drainage system adjacent to the sidewalk will be installed. The storm water will be directed into a modified French drainage system that will act both as a storm water infiltration system for roof water runoff and as a drainage system, in conjunction with 4” lateral French drainage lines, for lower lying areas of the turf grass. If or when the system reaches full storage capacity, storm water runoff will be directed into one of the two bioswales, planted as native grassland habitats.
The previously approved hardscape impacts, in SPA permit #425, within jurisdiction total 32,627 sq.ft. (42%). Approximately, 45,279.19 sq.ft. (58%) of the state’s jurisdictional area on lease area will be retained in a natural vegetated and topographic state.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the project is not contrary to the public interest and that no feasible alternative sites exist. In passing upon the application for permit, the permit issuing authority shall consider the public interest which for purposes of this part shall be deemed to be the following considerations: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful, increased alteration of the dynamic dune field or submerged lands, or function of the sand-sharing system will be created; (2) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of marine life, wildlife, or other resources; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with reasonable access by and recreational use and enjoyment of public properties impacted by the project.
Please provide this office with substantive, site-specific comments as to why the proposed work should or should not proceed. Comments and questions concerning this proposed project should be submitted in writing and be submitted by the close of business on March 16, 2018 to Jordan Dodson, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Georgia 31520.
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