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Resolution 2003-193 IDE RESOLUTION No. 2003-.ll.L A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE COLLIER COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION BOAT LAUNCH AND BEACH ACCESS MASTER PLAN. WHEREAS, adequate public access to coastal lands and waterways is an integral part of the superior quality of life enjoyed by residents of and visitors to Collier County, and; WHEREAS, The Collier County Growth Management Plan instructs that the County is to "continue to ensure that access to beaches, shores, and waterways remains available to the public and to develop a program to expand the availability of such including funding options for acquisition," and; WHEREAS, the Collier County Board of County Commissioners heard a presentation of the 2003 Collier County Parks and Recreation Beach and Boat Access Report at a public workshop on March 12, 2003; and, as a result thereof, instructed staff to present to the Board for its consideration and approval a Master Plan that addresses the recommendations contained in that Report; and; WHEREAS, the Collier County Parks and Recreation Boat Launch and Beach Access Master Plan, attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A, is hereby presented to the Board for its consideration and approval in response to the Board's instructions to staff. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Collier County Parks and Recreation Boat Launch and Beach Access Master Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit A, is hereby adopted effective immediately. This Resolution adopted this 21-1h day of t'Yhu , 2003, after motion, second, and majority vote favoring adoption. ~ ATTEST: ;_.~,,:,.~' G-~-~ ',\:;, {J~. BY~*~~ '...:.. Deputy ,~rk ::: ~tttst,,'$ "to) Chai run' S t)gRatut.--1J.' ( , ,'. Approv.~ ~$., tQform and legal sufficiency: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, COLLlE7U'b By: :JfJl---' Tom Henning, Chairman S-2rr-03 Dwight E. Brock, Clerk By: \/)~ p~ Tom Palmer Assistant County Attorney IOE EXHIBIT A 2003 COLLIER COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION BOA T LAUNCH AND BEACH ACCESS MASTER PLAN A. GUIDING POLICIES 1. The frequency of beach access locations will be increased to distribute beach use more evenly. 2. The County's goal is to provide one parking space per one hundred fifty residents (1:150) when determining the need for beach parking. 3. The County wiD maximize parking opportunities at existing boat launch locations. Recognizing the cost of waterfront boat launch facilities, the County should pursue opportunities to expand parking around present locations. Recommendations regarding the expansion of services to include oosite boat storage or other amenities not previously provided by the Couoty (as has been requested by some residents of the community) are not within the scope of this plan. 4. The Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Codes will reflect the County's goal to expand public beach and boat launch opportunities. 5. The County will identify and consider the purchase of available properties for future boat ramp sites. 6. The County will continue to develop alternative opportunities to saltwater beach access and boat launch amenities. B, IMPLEMENTATION POLICY Based upon the policies listed above, the following is a master plan for the practical implementation of these recommendations: 1. BEACH ACCESS I, Barefoot Beach Preserve 1.1. Back Bay Dock and Pier. Currently, excursion vessels drop off visitors at the southern tip of the park. This practice is damaging to the fragile ecosystem at Wiggins Pass. A dock and pier are planned for the inland side of the island to accommodate waterborne visitors while protecting the beach and dunes, This area will also allow Preserve visitors a better look at the mangrove habitat, which presently is only accessible by canoe. Educational programs and signage will accompany the facility. 2, North Vanderbilt Beach and Conner Park 2.1, Bluebill Access, The Parks and Recreation Department developed Conner Park on Bluebill Avenue with eighty parking spaces to serve a future access point between Delnor-Wiggins State Recreation Area and the Vanderbilt Inn, The Department is working with the State Parks and Recreation Department to secure an access easement in exchange for improvements at Delnor-Wiggins, It may be possible to gain an easement from the owners of the Vanderbilt Inn in the future as well. 2,2. Conner Park Shelter and Rest Room. As the northern parts of Vanderbilt Beach are improved and additional access is added, the beach parking at Conner Park will be in increasing demand. A shelter and rest room will increase the amenity of this facility, IDE 3, Vanderbilt Drive, The Boat and Beach Access Report acknowledged the conflicting sentiment surrounding the future of the Vanderbilt Beach area and the resident outcry that prompted the current moratorium, The report concluded that while a more equitable distribution of beachgoers along the entire Gulf front should be a primary goal of the County, Vanderbilt Beach is currently the most viable location for improving beach access. The following projects will work to that end: 3,\, Refurbishment of the Pedestrian Accesses, Refurbishment of the walkway easement on Vanderbilt Drive at the Mansions condominium is currently underway. Staff recommends improvements to the other five walkways as well. 3.2, At the workshop on March 12, 2003, staff was given direction to provide rest room facilities in conjunction with any transportation shuttle program that would serve the improved accesses, The access easements are too narrow for such a facility, so the purchase of and improvements to lots along Vanderbilt Beach to serve that purpose will be necessary, This will improve the County's ability to qualify for State and Federal funding for renourishment of this beach, since the provision of a public beach access point every one-half mile is a requirement of these programs, 4. Transportation Shuttle Service, To cost-effectively maintain the I: I 50 parking ratio recommended in the Boat and Beach Access Report, a transportation shuttle service is proposed for the northern Collier County beaches, The purchase of Shuttle Busses and land for the parking area, as well as improvements to the parking area will be necessary. Florida Department of Transportation grant funds may be available for purchase of the shuttle busses, 5, Vanderbilt Beach Park. A two-story, 400-space parking garage is planned for Vanderbilt Beach Park. This project is currently delayed by litigation, but resolution of the issue and completion of the project remains a recommendation of staff, With the introduction of a shuttle parking service and the possible construction of a parking garage at Vanderbilt Beach Park, this facility's existing rest rooms and boardwalks will need refurbishment or expansion. 6. Pelican Bay Beach Access, Collier County owns some inaccessible parcels of land between Vanderbilt Beach and Clam Pass. Staff recommends examining the viability of providing accesses in these areas, 7, Clam Pass Park. Refurbishments planned for this facility include parking lot resurfacing, new handrails, and improvements to the entrance booth, 8, Tigertail Beach Park. The tidal lagoon at this park is now almost completely enclosed. A boardwalk connecting the mainland to Sand Dollar Island may be necessary in the future to allow visitors true Gulf-front access. The Parks and Recreation Department is currently developing the scope of a feasibility study to evaluate the environmental impact of this endeavor, Repairs to the dune walkovers at this park will be necessary within the next ten years. 2. BOATING ACCESS 1, Lake Access at Heritage Bay. In its review of the Heritage Bay Development of Regional Impact, the Parks and Recreation Department has requested that the developer, US Homes, provide access to one of the lakes within the area to offset the added strain on existing park facilities that the development will create, 2, Access to Golden Gate Canals, Issues regarding recreational use of the Golden Gate canal system are currently under review by the County Attorney's office. Currently, an opportunity exists to purchase a parcel of land at the terminus of 58th Street, which could be developed to provide canal access. 3. Bayview Park. The County should consider purchasing available space around the park to be used for additional trailer parking, The Parks and Recreation Department requested additional parking from the Hamilton Harbor Development of Regional lOE Impact, and in original plans fifteen spaces were provided. However, the most recent plans show that the request could not be accommodated due to environmental issues. 4, Collier Boulevard Boating Park Expansion and Overflow Parking. Expansion to the north will add an additional 47 trailer parking spaces, A second phase of expansion to the south may add an additional 28 trailer parking spaces, This will be a multiyear project for which $600,000 is approved for FY 03 and $600,000 is planned for FY 04. Source funds are Boater Improvement Funds and Impact Fees, 5, Shell Island Road Boat Ramp. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection at Rookery Bay is interested in purchasing the boat ramp facility at the end of Shell Island Road from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, DEP would then consider leasing the ramp to Collier County in exchange in part for funding to pave Shell Island Road, Improvements to the facility would be necessary, 6, Goodland Boating Park. Based upon previous Board direction, present Park plans will include two boat ramp lanes and 50 to 75 trailer parking spaces as well as a neighborhood park. This multi-year project has been accelerated to capitalize on existing permits issued to the previous property owner, Master planning is scheduled for FY 04 at $150,000. A $75,000 Florida Boater Improvement Program Grant has been applied for to offset this cost. Phase I development at $1,500,000 is slated for FY 05, BoaterImprovement Grant funds can be pursued for development as well, 7, Everglades National Park. The master plan for Everglades National Park includes a boat ramp. The facility has yet to be built because funds have not been available. An opportunity exists for the County to partner with the National Parks System to see this facility to fruition.