An official website of the State of Georgia.
This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Jekyll Seaside Retreat, LLC for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et seq. for the removal of an existing crosswalk and modification of an existing wooden crosswalk within SPA jurisdiction at 150 S. Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island, Glynn County, Georgia. The proposed project is considered a minor activity under O.C.G.A. 12-5-230 et. seq.
SPA Permit #193 was issued January 10, 1989, and authorized the construction of three wooden boardwalks, two decks, and a covered gazebo. The area within jurisdiction consists of vegetated dynamic dune field and two crosswalks in need of repair. The existing southern crosswalk is 1750.57sq.ft. and the existing northern crosswalk is 2,797.9sq.ft.
The Jekyll Seaside Retreat parcel is 300,216sq.ft. (6.892 acres). The adjacent parcel to the east is owned by the Jekyll Island Authority. The applicant proposes to remove the 1,751sq.ft. southern crosswalk in its entirety and maintain and modify the northern crosswalk.
The modified crosswalk will have both the existing landward end, and a portion of the seaward terminal end removed. The new landward end of the crosswalk will begin on the upland with a 6ft. x 112ft. (672sq.ft.) walkway upland of the SPA jurisdictional area. The walkway will continue seaward with an additional 6ft. x 14.42ft. walkway connecting to the existing fixed deck. The remaining portion of the existing crosswalk will be maintained and repaired with new decking and handrails to include the 30ft. x 32.16ft. fixed deck, 8ft. x 112.46ft. walkway, and a 5.92ft. x 8ft. bench. Posts, beams, and joists will remain in this existing section. A new 8ft. x 19ft. seaward terminal end will be added and connected to the existing portion of the crosswalk to include stairs terminating perpendicular to the shoreline, seaward of the existing dunes, and approximately 68.74 feet landward of the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM). The crosswalk will be raised a minimum of 36in. above the sand throughout its length. Total impacts within SPA jurisdiction of the existing and proposed crosswalk will be approximately 2,150.36sq.ft.
All construction access will occur from the applicant’s property. All work within jurisdiction will be accomplished using low impact hand tools. Removal of existing structures shall be removed to the dune surface. No digging or excavation will occur. Any native dune vegetation impacted by construction activity will be replaced in like kind. Construction materials will be marine grade pressure treated wood and marine grade stainless steel or galvanized fasteners and hardware. There will be no construction fencing used in the jurisdictional area.
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.
A detailed public notice with drawings has been distributed and is available by visiting the Department of Natural Resources website: CoastalGaDNR.org under
“Public Notices”.
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 July 22, 2025 to Beth Byrnes, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
Click here to view application.
