1:35 p.m. update: Commissioners approved a resident's request to install a dock on the Gulf in Hernando Beach.
There was concern from county staff about the dock causing navigation hazard, according to Spectrum Bay News 9 reporter Kim Leoffler.
Commissioners found it was not a substantial hazard.
HERNANDO BEACH, Fla. — Monday morning, Hernando County Commissioners will be hearing an issue involving a boat dock in Hernando Beach.
- Commissioners to discuss issue of a gulf front boat dock
- Resident wants to install a dock on her gulf front property
- Port Authority says it could be dangerous for boaters
A resident wants to install a dock on her gulf front property, but the Port Authority is concerned it would be dangerous because the dock would be close to a channel.
Sarah Hill grew up along the gulf in Hernando Beach. She inherited her childhood home three years ago.
"This is just the perfect place, the view out here is gorgeous, the people here are just incredible," Hill said.
Like so many others here, Hill wanted to install a dock for her boat. Most houses along the gulf have slips in the nearby channels. Hill's does not. With no more available, she looked to the gulf.
"We looked at different alternatives and this was the best thing, the best area to put it in was right here in the lot next door which we recently purchased about a year and a half ago," she added.
But when she brought up the idea to the Port Authority in Hernando County, they said no, concerned about the safety of boaters who use the nearby channel.
The county already lowered the speed in that channel over the summer for safety, noting an increased danger there with blind curves.
"Approximately 60-70% of Hernando Beach use that channel and that blind curve," Hernando County Port Authority Chairman Frank Santo said.
"If we can leave a buffer zone between the edge of the channel and the farthest items sticking out into the Gulf at least it gives boaters a chance on a blind curve if they do have to peel outside the channel to have some safety buffer before they slam into something," Santo added.
Santo said that the Port Authority does want to find some way for Hill to put a dock in.
“It may not work out that way but that's what our goal is," he explained.
Hill said since the discussion began she's made changes to her design bringing the dock closer to her shore line and lowering the square footage.
"I'm not really asking for anything different than what any of my neighbors currently have," Hill explained.
The decision now is in the commissioners' hands.
The commissioners will discuss this issue at their 9 a.m. meeting on Monday.