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Beach access widening plans rescaled
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 |
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REDINGTON SHORES – Hoping to put an end to the ongoing conflict between the town and a group of condo residents over a proposed beach access widening at 176th Avenue, the Redington Shores Board of Commissioners scaled down the planned expansion.
The protests had recently escalated into a lawsuit filed against the town by the condo association.
In a special meeting on April 14, the commission unanimously approved a proposal made by Mayor Bert Adams to limit the planned widening of the paver area to 4 feet rather than 6 to 8 feet.
The reduction would preserve most of the plantings that would have been removed under the original plan.
The greenery on the north side of the walkway was put in place years ago by Joanne Greenberg, who lives on that side of the beach access. While that property belongs to the town, the Greenberg family has personally planted and maintained the landscaping there.
The south half of the beach access is owned by the Gulf Mariner condominium, but the property was granted as an easement to the town years ago.
Widening of the beach access, which would allow emergency and beach maintenance vehicles to cross the property, has been opposed by the Greenbergs and Gulf Mariner residents since it was first proposed.
Discussions between town officials and the opposing groups has been heated at times and prolonged. The Gulf Mariner condo association filed suit over the matter several months ago.
Under the compromise approved by the commission, there will be a 4-foot addition to the existing pavers going north. The entire beach access would be widened to 10 feet, down from the 13 feet originally planned.
Though the vegetation removed will be minimal, according to Adams, cactus plants at the entryway will be removed for safety reasons.
Adams said he had bumped into one of the cacti during a visit to the property, and “I got a reaction.” Local children have also reportedly had painful run-ins with the plants, Adams said.
Town Attorney James Denhardt agreed with Adams on the cactus removal.
“Cactus should not be on a public easement,” Denhardt said. “For liability purposes, those need to come out.”
Town maintenance crews also will take over responsibility for upkeep of the walkway and plantings, Adams indicated. A letter will be written to the Greenbergs and the condo association stating the access belongs to and will be maintained by the town of Redington Shores.
Adams said he hoped the town’s compromise proposal would put an end to the controversy.
“I am hopeful this will bring a solution and stop all the rumors,” he said.
A representative of the Gulf Mariner Condo Association was present at the meeting but did not speak.
Afterward, resident Ron Gonzales appeared somewhat optimistic.
“We’ll see if we can get this done and move on,” he said.
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Article published on Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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