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 separation of watercraft and swimmers, the area within 200 feet of the designated swimming area will be designated as a no wake zone.