The Board of County Commissioners discussed closing two roads in the county, but the issue that received the most time at last week’s meeting was a sandbar.
Debbie Boyd, a former state representative, said boaters congregate at a sandbar that has developed at Sun Springs curve on the Suwannee River.
Boyd said the boaters who meet there play loud music and use profanity.
She argued that this infringes on the rights of property owners in the area to enjoy their property.
Boyd said she has been able to clearly hear the music while she is inside her house with the doors and windows shut.
Gilchrist County has a noise ordinance, but it does not apply between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m..
Boyd said she spoke with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and FWC said there is nothing in state law to address the issue. She added that FWC said it will look into issues of boating under the influence since many of the boaters at the sandbar are drinking.
There is a state law against loud music coming from automobiles, but Boyd said that law does not apply to waterways.
County Attorney David Lang said the fact that this occurs on the river raises questions about whether Gilchrist County has jurisdiction. The Board may need to work with Dixie County to create an ordinance.
Lang said they are looking at getting a decibel meter and setting noise limits.
The County Commission will have a workshop on Jan. 18 to discuss the matter and determine a course of action.
Lang recommended the Board have Brandon Stubbs from North Florida Professional Services attend the workshop. Stubbs worked with Columbia County on a similar ordinance. The Board will also try to have representatives from the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office and FWC at the workshop.
The Board discussed closing NW 72nd Way outside of Bell near the Suwannee River.
Residents in the area would still be able to access the river at other locations, Commissioner Darrell Smith said.
“The County has no purpose in even owning that,” County Administrator Bobby Crosby said.
Crosby asked the residents in the area to proceed with a survey.
The Board will vote at a later meeting.
The other road that is up for closure is SE 75th Court, also known as “Relax ‘N’ Enjoy Road.”
The adjoining property owners applied for the closure.
The land that the road occupies would go to the adjoining property owners.
The Board also voted on an special use permit for a boat and RV storage at 6840 SE 80th Ave in Gilchrist County part of Newberry about a mile west of the county line.
Lang said the SUP was filed under Recreation, but it does not fall under that classification. Lang said the Recreation classification is for things like like kayak rentals.
Lang said boat and RV storages are not specifically listed under A2 land use, but they are similar to self-storage rentals, which are under A2.
“My opinion is that they are so close that it’s more likely than not that should be permitted by way of a special use permit,” Lang said.
The property abuts a residential area to the south. The property would require landscaping.
The proposed acreage for the site is 4.96 acres.
The A2 land use code requires the property to be five acres, but it can be reduced by five percent assuming the building density is not too high.
A traffic assessment will be required to move forward and a section of SE 80th Ave will have to be paved.
The owners of the property will be responsible for the paving.
The property will have a fence along the perimeter.
The Board voted in favor of the SUP by a vote of 5-0.
There were also several budget amendments made.
The EMS budget was increased by $28,000 by taking money from the EMS reserve.
There was an unanticipated increase in LESA funds for the Sherriff’s Office payroll totalling $29,105 as well as $14,938 in unanticipated Security Service Fees collected for a total of $44,043 in unanticipated revenue.
E-911 also saw an increase in grant revenue of $523,061.
County Attorney Lang informed the Board in his report that three appeals had been filed in regard to the Duke Solar Farm. He recommended — and the Board accepted — Patrice Boyd to represent the County in this matter.