Subject:
Title
Review of an after-the-fact Public Interest Determination (PID) request for an unpermitted "Widening Project within Pelican Creek," 1865 1935 South Banana River Drive, Merritt Island. District 2.
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Fiscal Impact:
Approval could cost the County in excess of $250,000 for wetlands restoration, monitoring, and maintenance or up to $500,000 for State and Federal wetlands mitigation bank credits.
Dept/Office:
Natural Resource Management Department and Public Works Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
Staff requests that the Board of County Commissioners consider the applicant's submittal and issue a finding of whether or not the proposed dredging activities meets the definition of Public Interest and Best Public Interest (as defined in both the Comprehensive Plan and the Brevard County Code) related to the request.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
On June 24, 2024, Attorney Kimberly Bonder Rezanka, of Lacey Lyons Rezanka, on behalf of Mr. Aaron Reninger and Mr. Roger Xavier (Applicants), submitted a request for a PID for "Widening Project within Pelican Creek" (Project) (Submittal) (attached). The subject properties are located at 1865 1935 South Banana River Drive, Merritt Island (Tax Parcel IDs: 2524354, 2524350, 2535314, 30222327, and 2524353) (Project Area). Specific Project details were not provided, thus, the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department (NRM) requested additional information. A Supplemental Engineering Assessment report (SEA) depicting a plan-view sketch showing the limits for the dredging, littoral shelf, and stormwater treatment swale was submitted on September 6, 2024 (attached). A significant portion of the dredging proposed in the PID request has already occurred illegally, without the benefit of any approval or permit from the County or any other jurisdictional agency (e.g., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).
In June 2022, the Brevard County Public Wo...
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