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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes-Final October 2,2018 <br />Natural Resources Manager James Gray,withthe aid of a PowerPoint <br />Presentation, displayed:a map showing an area north of Wabasso Beach Park; in <br />the Summerplace Subdivision,where"No Trespassing" signs have been <br />installed by the property owner. He displayed slides from the 1930's to.the <br />present, showing the historical use of the Wabasso beach area for recreational <br />activities, and relayed that restricted beach access limits public use of beaches, <br />impedes sea turtle monitoring, and impacts the beach nourishment for Sector 3. <br />Mr. Gray affirmed that he customarily observes people using the beach, and that <br />he has never before seen'a private property owner restrict public beach access. <br />Coastal Division.Environmental Specialist Kendra Cope,:who manages the. <br />County's Habitat Conservation Plan:for sea turtles, affirmed that she,too, sees <br />people frequenting:the beach site. Ms. Cope confirmed that in her experience, <br />she has never before observed a private property owner restrict public beach <br />access. <br />Mr. Gray read testimony that had been submitted from Summerplace residents <br />Crary Lauer,Walter Garrard, and Gary Fox, asking tokeep the beach accessible <br />to all. He advised that staff's recommendation was:for the County to proceed <br />following the public hearing),with the Notice of Intent to Affirm the Existence <br />of a Recreational Customary Use (the Notice of Intent), and to file the <br />Complaint for Declaration of Recreational Customary.Use. <br />Discussion:ensued,wherein Mr. Gray confirmed that when beach renourishment.. <br />was done in 2009 at the subject area, all of the property owners at that time <br />signed off on temporary construction easements,which remain in effect. : <br />The Chairman opened the public hearing. <br />The following speakers from Summerplace provided testimony supporting <br />public beach access: <br />Dr. Philip R. Glade,who was accompanied:byCarol Glade, 1851 Pebble Path <br />Patty Girard, 1960:West Shell Lane <br />Walter Girard, 1960 West Shell Lane <br />John Lehnhardt, 1991 West Barefoot Place <br />Dr. Micae ax <br />There were no additional speakers, and the Chairman closed the public hearing. <br />A motion.was made by Commissioner Flescher,seconded by Commissioner <br />Zorc,to.approve.staffs recommendation,with fundingprovided to the County <br />Attorney's office in an amount up to$50,000 for any court-related costs. <br />Indian River County Florida Page 11