This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from the Villas-By-The-Sea Condominium Association Inc. for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et. seq. for the construction of two (2) beach crosswalks, a roofed gazebo, two (2) access walkways, and research radars within the State’s Shore Protection Act (SPA) Jurisdiction at 1175 N Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island, Glynn County, Georgia.

The property consists of two parcels. Parcel 1 is approximately 708,354 (16.26 acres), of which approximately 19,193 sq. ft. (0.44 acres) is located within SPA jurisdiction. Parcel 2 is approximately 303,064 sq. ft. (6.96 acres), of which 260,385 sq. ft. (5.98 acres) is located within SPA jurisdiction. All proposed impacts are located on Parcel 2. Existing impacts at Parcel 2 (42,174 sq. ft.) include a rock revetment, wooden bollards and rope, and a wooden wind fence. Approximately 218,211 sq. ft. (83.8%) of the State’s jurisdictional area currently remains in a natural or improved topographic and vegetative condition.

The applicant proposes to construct two beach crosswalks, a roofed gazebo, two access walkways, and research radars within SPA jurisdiction.  

Two (2) Beach Crosswalks: 
Crosswalk 1 will consist of a 162 ft. x 6 ft. walkway starting at the landward toe of the dune, extending over the rock revetment, terminating with a 25 ft. x 6 ft. staircase extending to the beach. Two 5 ft. x 5 ft. staircases, one to the north and one to the south, will be built approximately 104 ft. from the landward side to maintain public access across the structure landward of the rock revetment. 

Crosswalk 2 consists of the existing irregularly shaped structure of which approximately 126 sq. ft. will be removed.  A new 9 ft. 9 in. x 4 ft. 10 in. crosswalk will be constructed in the same orientation as the existing structure and will meet a 54 ft. 11 in. x 6 ft. crosswalk which will be built due east, where it meets the proposed roofed gazebo. Extending east from the proposed roofed gazebo, the crosswalk will continue for 53 ft. 8 in. where it crosses the rock revetment to a 17 ft. x 6 ft. staircase that terminates on the beach.  

Roofed Gazebo: 
A proposed roofed gazebo will be 30 ft. wide x 18 ft. in length (540 sq. ft.) and will connect to Crosswalk 2 as described above.

Two (2) Access Walkways: 
Access Walkway 1 will run in a north and south direction parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, landward of the rock revetment, and will connect Access Walkway 2 to Crosswalk 2. The walkway will be 313 ft. long x 8 ft. wide (2,507 sq. ft.). 

Access Walkway 2 consists of an existing irregularly shaped section of a walkway (approx. 58 ft. long). The proposed walkway will connect to the existing section of walkway.  This will then continue east for approximately 34 ft. 11 in. that leads to Access Walkway 1 to the north, and to a 5 ft. by 8 ft. staircase that descends to the south. 

Research Radars: 
A total of 15 research antennas (radars) are proposed within SPA jurisdiction. The Tx array will consist of four (4) antennas attached to 4in. x 4in. posts placed south of proposed Crosswalk 1 (0.44 sq. ft.). The Rx array has 11 antennas placed parallel to the Atlantic Ocean with three (3) antennas attached to access walkway 1 and eight (8) attached to 4in. x 4in. posts located just south of access walkway 2 and within SPA jurisdiction (1.2 sq. ft.). 

As proposed, approximately 214,565.36 sq. ft. (82.4%) of the State’s jurisdictional area would remain in a natural or improved topographic and vegetative condition.

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 “Marsh & Shore Permits”.  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 May 04, 2020 to Amy Flowers, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.

Click here for the Application

Click here for the Project Description

Click here for the Project Drawings