Summary

Harbor & Waterways Board recommends approvals for two marine construction projects; weighs livery permit rules, water quality, and signage

DestinMay 22, 20254 min read

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At its May 22, 2025 meeting the Destin Harbor and Waterways Board recommended City Council approval of two marine construction projects (4144 Belcourt Dr and 724 Harbor Blvd) with standard federal/state permit and marina‑siting conditions, reviewed Ordinance 25-05-CC on livery vessels and made recommendations on transfer/value limits and grace periods, discussed water quality and pump‑out practices, and recommended signage at Norriego Point for boater safety.

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Harbor and Waterways Board

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Public SafetyCommerceEnvironmentalUtilities

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Recommended City Council approval of residential marine construction at 4144 Belcourt Dr (HWB-001565-2025) for a new single‑family dock, covered boat slip, two catwalks and two platforms (~912 sq ft, 64 ft dock, two slips) conditioned on submission of all applicable federal/state approvals and adherence to the City's Marina Siting LDC Section 11.05.0.
Recommended City Council approval of reconfiguration of an existing multifamily commercial dock at 724 Harbor Blvd (HWB-001582-2025) to six residential slips, conditioned on submission of all applicable federal/state approvals (FDEP and Army Corps submittals noted) and adherence to LDC Section 11.05.0.
Recommended to City Council that sale prices of vessels with attached livery permits not exceed NADA Guide value plus 10% to avoid permit‑driven price inflation (motion passed unanimously, 4-0).
Recommended to City Council that any livery vessel registrations unassigned as of the ordinance adoption be given a one‑year grace period to attach to a vessel, after which unassigned registrations shall be forfeited to the City (motion passed unanimously, 4-0).
Reviewed Ordinance 25-05-CC (livery vessels) as read by the City Attorney, including provisions for a 490‑permit cap, required operator training, a 60‑day abandonment/forfeiture timeline, and a bracelet system; board discussion produced the above formal recommendations.
Recommended City Council authorize installation of signage at Norriego Point to warn boaters of potential underwater hazards and erosion control structures (motion passed).
After presentation from Destin Water Users, the board concluded there are generally no alarming trends in available reclaimed/ambient data but recommended continued sampling; board favored private pump‑truck haul‑off for concentrated boat waste until further data/support for sewer acceptance is available.
Noted that an oyster gardening proposal was presented to the Harbor CRA and approved with a condition to maintain a 3‑foot buffer from seagrass beds; Okaloosa County indicated support and possible cost‑sharing/engineering assistance; next presentations planned to Parks & Rec Board.

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