Should driving on the beach be restricted to permanent residents?

[Grayton Girl]

So what about those owners of fractional units? Each can sell their deed separately from the remaining owners. They are not held in a collective LLC as owning all portions of the total unit. Each portion is separate.

Well, I guess if the fractional owner is also a full-time resident (as evidenced by either a Walton County address on the driver's license, a homestead exemption in Walton County (which they can't get as a fractional owner), or a Walton county Voter's registration) AND also has the 4-wheel drive vehicle registered in their name and in Walton County, then they could get a permit.

But is a fractional owner a full-time resident? I don't think so and I also believe that the fractional ownership is noted on the deed and therefore would not be eligible.

 

[Geo]

I hear a lot of talk that due to the growth of the area that we now need to limit the number of vehicles on the beach. But do we really? I drive on the beach about every other day and except for a couple holidays (e.g. July 4th) I don't see a major issue. Do we really need to implement more rules for the whole year when the problem exists for half a dozen days annually?

If I am wrong and we really do have an issue then I think limiting it to one car per household is the simplest change that provides the biggest bang for the buck. When I have more guests in town than will fit in one vehicle we simply take two cars, park one of them someplace near the beach and shuttle everyone and all our stuff on and off the beach with the one permitted vehicle.

The only drawback I can think of with this is that it could cause parking issues in Grayton. But is this scenario really that common?

Two cents...

G

 

[Smiling JOe]

I haven't heard anyone mentioning curbing the number of vehicles by having limitations between Memorial Day and Labor Day. As Geo said, there isn't much ado about the number of vehicles in the off season.

 

[ShallowsNole]

I am not a beach driver, and I don't have a dog - uh, vehicle - in this fight, but limiting the number of permits per household would be my answer, if someone asked me.

Certainly, there are many families who vacation here in the summer - some ALL summer - that have historically driven on the beach. And then you have the boat launch issue.

I'm just waiting for someone (else) to get run over, and hoping it never happens (again). I do not remember the details and I'm thinking it was at least 25 years ago, but a truck did drive over a sunbather once.

 

[Bobby J]

It seems to me its just a matter of time before we will not be allowed to drive on the beach. Too many people. If anything I think they should do it like they do in St. Augustine. You drive down to the beach but you can not drive up to the water. You park closer to the dune and then walk towards the water. This way everyone gets to enjoy the views and the waterfront does not look like a parking lot. It also would be safer and more people could enjoy the beach instead of this first come first serve atmosphere. We would share space with people instead of four wheel drives.

 

[Geo]

It seems to me its just a matter of time before we will not be allowed to drive on the beach. Too many people. If anything I think they should do it like they do in St. Augustine. You drive down to the beach but you can not drive up to the water. You park closer to the dune and then walk towards the water. This way everyone gets to enjoy the views and the waterfront does not look like a parking lot. It also would be safer and more people could enjoy the beach instead of this first come first serve atmosphere. We would share space with people instead of four wheel drives.

I really enjoy driving on the beach and having my dog on the beach. I think our existing rules would serve us well if they were enforced.

Who is behind any proposals for change?

 

[Yzarctoo]

County Commissioners Driving on the Beach

Who is behind any proposals for change?[/quote]

County Commissioners are reading the draft on the 13th at 4, and rumor has it plan to vote on it. You can read the draft ...a link is listed at the beginning of this thread.

 

[Geo]

Link doesn't work. Can someone copy paste the text, please?

 

[Smiling JOe]

A group of people in Grayton Beach are the people who have drafted a proposed change in the ordinance for beach driving permits. Some other lady brought up the dog permit.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Geo, all the links to tonight's BCC agenda are currently broken, so we don't have access to the text.