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This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from VMG Properties, 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 and installation of native landscaping and installation of a pool and spa, pool deck, house deck, and fencing within the State’s SPA jurisdiction at 826 Park Way, St. Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia.
The applicant’s property is approximately 4,982 sq.ft. (0.11 acres), of which 1,561 sq.ft. (0.04 acres) is within SPA jurisdiction. The landward area within jurisdiction consists of lawn and landscaping, a cinder block wall on the seaward side of the property, and portions of wall extending from each adjacent property owner.
The applicant proposes to install a 335 sq.ft. pool and spa, 369 sq.ft. pool deck made of sand set pavers, 266 sq.ft. portion of a two-story deck extending from the house, and 9 sq.ft. of aluminum fencing constructed around the backyard within SPA jurisdiction. The existing 30 sq.ft. cinder block wall will be removed. A 0.9467 sq.ft. portion of the northern adjacent property owner’s wall and a 4.1355 sq.ft portion of the southern adjacent property owner’s wall currently extends into the jurisdictional area of the subject property. If disturbed during construction, the applicant also proposes to return an area of 534.92 sq.ft. back to a natural or improved topographic and vegetative condition by installing native landscaping and grass of like kind or beach quality sand of like kind. Underground irrigation will be installed in the lawn and landscaped areas. A final landscape plan will be submitted for approval prior to conducting the work.
All work within jurisdiction will be accomplished with typical earth-moving equipment including excavators and skid-steer. Existing and proposed impacts within jurisdiction will total 984.08 sq.ft. (63.04%), and approximately 576.92 sq.ft. (36.96%) of the state’s jurisdictional area will 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 “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 16, 2023 to Beth Byrnes, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at elizabeth.byrnes@dnr.ga.gov.
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