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Politics

Bill could benefit boat slips project

By MIKE DONILA
Published April 25, 2007

The driving force behind the city of Clearwater's only local bill before the Florida Legislature is the city's beach marina and private property in the affluent Island Estates area - not the recently voter-approved boat slip project, the city's legal staff says.

But the boat slip project could benefit directly if state lawmakers approve the bill before adjourning May 4. City officials believe it could fortify the project against potential litigation by opponents of the project.

Largely unexplained by city leaders until last week, House Bill 1585 would grant amnesty for any property owners in the Island Estates area who may have violated a 1925 state law by building private docks within 500 feet north of the Memorial Causeway. Island Estates, built just north of the causeway, didn't exist in 1925.

It would also allow future private docks in the area - subject to voter approval.

The bill is poised for a full vote by the Florida House. And its Senate counterpart was expected to be heard Tuesday in the Senate's Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, its only stop before the Senate floor.

In 1925, the state granted the city the authority to allow construction on the submerged land along portions of the Memorial Causeway, as long as it's used for public purpose. If not, the underwater land would revert to state control.

Another benefit, city officials said, is the bill would write into state law that the city's beach marina's fuel dock and bait house meet the definition of "public purpose."

City Attorney Pam Akin said in past years the city held discussions with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about the matter, "but we wanted to make sure there were no other issues like that again," Akin said. "The boat slips are an added benefit - it clarifies that for them too - but that was not the (bill's) purpose."

The bill has caused some confusion among residents and local leaders who have pushed for its passage. City and state leaders even contradicted each other last week when asked about its driving force.

House sponsor Rep. Ed Hooper maintained the boat slip project led leaders to craft the bill.

City leaders countered that the bill was proposed to assure riparian rights to the Island Estates area, which didn't exist in 1925. Some residents have threatened legal action if they couldn't build and the city felt they should have the right.

[Last modified April 24, 2007, 23:20:58]