STEVE REID
Editor & Publisher
sreid@lbknews.com
The very northern tip of Longboat Key has long been a residential oasis. But over the past decade, the convergence of three factors – louder boats, louder stereos and far more boaters – is causing numerous north-end Longboat residents to cajole town government to beef up the size and protection of no-boating zones.
Noise has been a long-standing problem, emanating from the large sandbar in front of Jewfish Key as well as the spit of sand under Longboat Pass Bridge known as Beer Can Island.
But most recently, the convergence of boaters under the Longboat Pass Bridge and encroaching into the swimming and kayaking zone is causing headaches for residents and those wanting to protect a fragile shoreline and quiet lifestyle.
No one has been more vocal than Longboat resident Joan Bergstrom who grew up on the north end of Longboat and whose family, which includes Longboaters Tom Mayers, and sister Michael Saunders, have all lived for extended periods at Lands End directly on the pass.
Bergstrom wrote the Longboat Key Commission last week saying there are essentially four problems:
• Motorboats intruding into the swim, kayak zone to moore their boats
• The intrusion of danger from the motorboats to swimmers and kayakers who have to worry about the motor propellers
• Manatees and sea life are endangered with the motorboats next to the channel leading to Greer Inlet, which does not allow motorboats.
Bergstrom suggests restricting motorboats to beaching on the west side of Longboat Pass Bridge with the east side solely reserved for swimming and kayaking.
Just south of the Bergstrom, Mayer, and Saunders properties, lies the residential community of Lands End. James Haft wrote the Longboat Commission on behalf of the Lands End Homeowner’s Association Board that, “We wholly support Joan Bergstrom’s recommendations regarding the Greer Island Swim Kayak zone.”
Haft added that many boats play “excessively loud music, disturbing not only beachgoers, but the residents at the north end of Longboat Key.”
Haft said signage should also include prohibition on loud music.
Bergstrom’s proposal soon received support from Commissioner Sarah Karon. Karon said she looks forward to discussing with the commission the Bridge-as-Boundary option after town management offers feedback.
Dilemma of shifting sands
The dilemma is a convoluted one on several fronts.
First, the shoreline has changed dramatically since the completion of the north end groins. Although the northwestern tip of the island has eroded, an entire beach of crystalline sand has formed and continues to extend below the Longboat Pass Bridge, creating a crescent that continues to grow toward the mainland. This expanding beach is beckoning to both boaters traversing the intercoastal as well as swarms of kayakers and bathers.
Second, the entire act of creating the already restricted zones represents the adoption of ordinances, the cooperation and approval of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) as well as compliance with Federal regulators. It is not a simple move.
The town commission will meet in September and likely discuss the matter after Town Manager Howard Tipton responds to the suggestions.
St.Regis sits on what once was the mecca of tennis in America. From Nick Bollettieri to the to the top tennis resort in the U. S. aka The Colony…I understand not one tennis court is located on this newly developed property. Doc and Nick must be shaking their heads in disbelief