Summary

Board recommends approval of marine construction at 619 Choctaw Drive; water quality and navigational updates provided

DestinJan 22, 20262 min read

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The Harbor and Waterways Board met January 22, 2026 at the Destin City Hall Annex. Members approved the November 10, 2025 minutes and voted 5-0 to recommend City Council approve a residential marine construction project at 619 Choctaw Drive for ~130 linear feet of vinyl seawall and an 80' x 6' marginal dock, subject to required federal/state approvals and compliance with the City's Marine Siting LDC Section 11.05.00. Staff presented a quarterly water quality update (results within the good/typical range and the harbor pump has been offline since late October). The U.S. Coast Guard will replace channel markers 3 and 4 and temporary lights are in place at the entry. Board discussion included an update on Norriego Point (purchased via Florida Forever; County nominated as caretaker; no lease finalized as of the meeting). Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

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Harbor and Waterways Board

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TransportationPublic SafetyEnvironmental

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Key decisions

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Approved minutes of the November 10, 2025 Harbor and Waterways Board meeting.
Voted 5-0 to recommend City Council approve residential marine construction at 619 Choctaw Drive: approximately 130 LF of new vinyl seawall and an 80' x 6' marginal dock, with conditions that all applicable federal and state approvals be submitted with the Marine Construction Permit Application and that the City's Marine Siting LDC Section 11.05.00 be followed at all times.
Requested consideration that Mr. Burgess and Mr. Stephens provide a water quality update and baseline for the coming year (suggested by board members).

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Meeting information

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Harbor and Waterways Board Meeting

Jan 22, 2026, 5:30 PM4100 Indian Bayou Trail, Annex Building, Destin FLORIDA 32541completed

Agenda

1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. AGENDA APPROVAL
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A) November 10, 2025 Minutes
attachments=1
Decision: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4. CURRENT BUSINESS
A) 619 Choctaw Dr.- Residential Marine Construction, PZ-2025-27
William F. Davis Construction, Inc, on behalf of both Scott G. Brand and Kacey A. Murphy, has applied for Harbor and Waterways Board review. The proposed project includes the installation of approximately 130 LF of new vinyl seawall and construction of a new marginal dock measuring 80 feet (80’) long by six feet (6') wide, for a total of 480 SF. The applicant seeks a recommendation for approval from the Harbor and Waterways Board for a residential marine construction project proposing a new residential marginal dock with: Total Square Feet: 480 SF Total Number of Piers or Docks: 1 Total Length: 6 LF Total Slip Density: 0 Located in : Canals of Holiday Isle | attachments=9 | reports=1
Decision: CURRENT BUSINESS
B) Quarterly Water Quality Update
City Staff receives quarterly water quality reports for water testing done within the Destin Harbor, performed by Analytical Services Corporation. These results are then provided to the Harbor and Waterways Board for informational purposes. Provided herein is the water quality report provided to the City in December. | attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: CURRENT BUSINESS
C) Navigational Improvements Update
In June 2025, the Harbor and Waterways Board (HWB) passed a motion unanimously to request the City Council to reach out to the Coast Guard about Destin’s East Pass marker to be repaired and upgraded with a new day marker at the end of the west jetty, as well as lights to be added to all nun and can buoys, and to keep markers number one and two at their new location, while having them illuminated. City Staff drafted a letter based on this motion and presented it to HWB in August, seeking a motion to forward the letter to Council for their review. This motion passed 5-0. As a result, City Council reviewed the letter and unanimously passed a motion to support the navigational improvements recommended by the HWB, with Staff proceeding to send a letter to Congressman Jimmy Patronis, as well as State Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, requesting support. | reports=1
Decision: CURRENT BUSINESS
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
6. NEXT MEETING DATE: February 26, 2026