Supporting Documents (Data and Analysis) - Satellite Beach
Supporting Documents (Data and Analysis) - Satellite Beach
Supporting Documents (Data and Analysis) - Satellite Beach
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show such zonation. These plants assist in building the dune by trapping windblown s<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> in<br />
stabilizing the dune with extensive lateral root systems.<br />
Means currently used to protect the dune line from pedestrian disturbance include: cross-over<br />
structures, fencing, strategic l<strong>and</strong>scaping, <strong>and</strong> signs. Pedestrian traffic over the dunes is intended to<br />
be accommodated by the cross-overs, but pedestrians walk around these <strong>and</strong> damage dune vegetation<br />
at some public accesses. Cross-overs are also provided in front of private beachfront developments<br />
pursuant to Chapter 6, City Building Code. The City has also established an Ocean Bluff Protection<br />
Area in order to prevent disruption or removal of dune s<strong>and</strong> or vegetation. This area is determined<br />
by a surveyor's estimate of 50 feet from the bluff line on any given piece of property. The bluff line<br />
is defined as the "the easternmost projection of the top edge of the natural vegetated ocean bluff or<br />
dune" (City Code, Ch. 21, Art. I, Sec. 21-7, see Appendix A). The Building <strong>and</strong> Zoning Department<br />
has been effective in administering the Ocean Bluff Protection ordinance <strong>and</strong> will need to continue<br />
monitoring violations as beach usage increases.<br />
The City of <strong>Satellite</strong> <strong>Beach</strong> provides full cooperation on renourishment projects <strong>and</strong> the County's<br />
overall <strong>Beach</strong> Management program which is aimed at conserving <strong>and</strong> enhancing beach <strong>and</strong><br />
shoreline areas for environmental <strong>and</strong> recreational purposes. Brevard County renourished dune<br />
locations at the two (2) County-owned parks within the City, Hightower <strong>Beach</strong> Park <strong>and</strong> Pelican<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Park, in 1989.<br />
Litter, in the form of paper, bottles, cans, <strong>and</strong> drift debris, accumulates on the beach. Keep Brevard<br />
Beautiful, Inc.'s “Trash Bash” <strong>and</strong> community groups provide recurring beach cleanup services. In<br />
addition, uncontrolled <strong>and</strong> unauthorized pedestrian traffic <strong>and</strong> consequent impacts to the dune<br />
vegetation are most noticeable at two locations. They are near public crossovers at the ends of<br />
Palmetto <strong>and</strong> Sunrise Avenues in the southern part of the City. Plantings, signs, barricades, <strong>and</strong><br />
nearby crossovers have mitigated, but have not yet eliminated, the problem. Two previous problem<br />
areas on private property in the northern part of the City are now free of damage due to pedestrian<br />
traffic, with one now having a dune crossover. In general, the City’s unhardened shoreline is wellvegetated,<br />
primarily with sea oats <strong>and</strong> beach morning glory. Both plants aggressively colonize the<br />
exposed dune front <strong>and</strong> help to anchor it against erosion <strong>and</strong> "blowouts" during severe storms. There<br />
are, however, areas immediately north <strong>and</strong> south of Pelican <strong>Beach</strong> Park <strong>and</strong> south of Magellan <strong>and</strong><br />
Palmetto Avenues where the face of the dune is only sparsely vegetated. Despite the construction of<br />
cross-overs to accommodate pedestrian traffic over dunes <strong>and</strong> the adoption of City Ordinance No.<br />
548 - Dune Regulations (1991), dune damage resulting from pedestrian impacts continues to be a<br />
concern.<br />
Public Access<br />
<strong>Satellite</strong> <strong>Beach</strong> has made a concerted effort since early in its history to preserve public access to its<br />
ocean beach. As a result, 40% of the ocean shoreline is in public ownership, the City maintains an<br />
inventory of 16 dune crossovers, <strong>and</strong> has an easement for one more. Two of the crossovers meet the<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pelican <strong>Beach</strong> Park provides 159 parking spaces<br />
<strong>and</strong> four crossovers, restroom facilities, <strong>and</strong> pavilions for ease of public access. Hightower <strong>Beach</strong><br />
Park provides 16 parking spaces which are scheduled to be doubled to 33 spaces along with the<br />
Coastal Management/Conservation Element<br />
<strong>Data</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Analysis</strong> 5-4