Supporting Documents (Data and Analysis) - Satellite Beach

addition of restroom facilities and a picnic pavilion. In addition, on street parking is available at
seven of the City’s dune crossovers located at the end of streets.
The only public access to the shoreline of the Banana River and canals is provided by the City dock
behind the Fire Station. This is adequate only for launching canoes and kayaks which can be carried
to the water. The next nearest locations where the public can gain access to these shorelines is at
County boat ramps on the Eau Gallie and Pineda Causeways 2.5 miles south and 6.4 miles north and
west of the Fire Station, respectively.
Land Development Influences and Controls
Approximately 30% of the 2.85 miles of oceanfront shoreline in Satellite Beach is hardened. While
vertical sea walls, backshore sills and rock revetments protect the property behind them, they
increase erosion rates immediately in front of and adjacent to the structures. This erosion is
especially severe where property is adjacent to hardened structures.
Water Dependent/Water Related Uses and Shoreline Conflicts
Land use relationships along the ocean shoreline are restricted by the constraints of existing zoning
which has limited development primarily to residential uses. These range from low density (singlefamily
detached) to high density (fifteen units per acre maximum). In addition, a hotel across SR
A1A from the Atlantic Plaza shopping center has been constructed as the only non-residential
structure. Pelican Beach Park and Hightower Beach Park and the entire stretch of beach (including
beach accesses) are the only water-related and water dependent land uses respectively. There are no
shoreline developments reflecting incompatible relationships which interfere with proper shoreline
management, access, and environmental requirements.
Development along the shoreline of the Banana River consists of low-density, single-family
residential uses and Samsons Island Nature Park. New development along the City's waterways has
had to comply with FDEP regulations governing installation of seawalls and other hardening
structures and preservation of conservation easements to protect the open water from runoff. Being
built-out along its waterways except for scattered vacant bulkheaded lots and Lansing Island, there is
little opportunity to apply current requirements within the City. Scattered mangroves which have
volunteered along bulkheads lining the City's waterways represent an opportunity to improve
management of the City's shoreline. Several organizations interested in improving the Indian River
Lagoon have undertaken programs to plant mangroves under conditions not usually conducive to
their success using split plastic pipes as surrogate seed beds until the trees become established on
their own. Such a program may, at a future time, be implemented in the City if volunteers and
resources can be mustered. On Lansing Island the FDEP has required a conservation easement of
native vegetation and limited structures along the shoreline. Samsons Island Nature Park is, by its
nature as an island, accessible only by boat, a water-related and dependent land use.
As noted in the Recreation and Open Space Element, there is adequate beach access available to
residents and tourists at the two ocean-front parks, along with free access to privately owned beach
areas. These are sufficient to meet present and future needs of the City's population. Samsons Island
Coastal Management/Conservation Element
Data and Analysis 5-5