Okaloosa County BOCC — January 5, 2016 — Courtyard - Okaloosa Island, 6' wide Dune Walkover — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: January 5, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Elliot Kampert SUBJECT: Courtyard - Okaloosa Island, 6' wide Dune Walkover DEPARTMENT: Growth Management BCC DISTRICT: 2 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: To review plans and consider approval of a six foot (6') wide dune walkover for the new Courtyard - Okaloosa Island motel as submitted by Mark Siner, P.E., as agent on behalf of the property owner, Beachmark Inn Inc. BACKGROUND: The developer of the new Courtyard - Okaloosa Island has constructed a 6’ wide dune walkover in order to provide beach access to their guests. The Okaloosa Island Architectural Review Committee (ARC) reviewed the proposed dune walkover on March 24, 2014 and found it to be in compliance with the Okaloosa Island Covenants and Restrictions, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issued Permit Number OK-490 on January 9, 2015. However, because the walkover occupies the County-owned beach, the Board of County Commissioners must approve its installation, as well. Since the walkover occurs in a portion of the County's dune restoration project, the Tourist Development Department reviewed the walkover and has no objections provided all necessary state or federal permits were obtained. While the developer did obtain the requisite FDEP permit (no federal permits are required), no local building permit was obtained prior to construction, nor was Board approval obtained. While the Board of County Commissioners approved the construction of the Courtyard Motel on May 20, 2014, the site plan submitted as part of that request did not include the dune walkover. The developer has been made aware of the necessity of obtaining a local permit and has submitted an application. However, no building permit may be issued until such time as the Board approves the structure which occurs on the publicly-owned beach. As part of the local building permit process, the developer must demonstrate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida Accessibility Code. The property is currently zoned B 2 (Apartment, Hotel Courts and Hotel Areas) and the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) designation is OI (Okaloosa Island). OPTIONS: The Board may approve, disapprove, or approve with conditions the dune walkover. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends after-the-fact approval of the dune walkover with the condition that it meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida Accessibility Code. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator