Agenda Item Name:
Title
Public Hearing to Consider Ordinance Amending County Code to Establish a Vessel Exclusion Zone in Melrose Bay at Melrose Park
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Presenter:
Bob Swain
Description:
Public hearing to consider an ordinance regarding an exclusion zone in Melrose Bay at Melrose Park.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve ordinance amending the County Code to establish a vessel exclusion zone in Melrose Bay at Melrose Park; authorize Chair to sign
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Prior Board Motions:
None.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Budget exists to cover costs of advertising the public hearing within the County Attorney's budget 001-03-0300-514-49-04.
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Background:
Lake Santa Fe is within the unincorporated boundaries of Alachua County and Melrose Bay is contiguous with Lake Santa Fe. Through Ordinance 89-13 and 95-5, the Board of County Commissioners recognized that the operation of motorboats and watercraft on Melrose Bay constituted a safety zone justifying the placement of idle-speed/no-wake signs at the points of entry into Melrose Bay.
Section 327.46, Florida Statutes provides that under certain circumstances local governments may establish watercraft exclusion zones and limited speed/wake zones; Section 327.46(1)(b)3., Florida Statutes allow the Board of County Commissioners to establish a vessel-exclusion zone in an area that is designated as a public bathing beach or swim area; and Section 327.46(1)(c)3.b. provides that a vessel-exclusion zone may be imposed when a particular activity and user group separation must be imposed to protect the safety of those participating in such activity.
Melrose Bay Park is a public access park which contains a designated, roped off swimming area. It is in the public interest and promotes the public health and safety to establish a vehicle exclusion zone around that designated swimming area in Melrose Bay Park; a reasonable separation is 100 feet. In order to further provide for the safety and ...
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