Port Royal Club wins approval to raise seawall, change pool lift, add stormwater vaults

City council on Oct. 15 approved an amendment to the conditional-use resolution that governs the Port Royal Club’s new clubhouse, allowing four minor but material changes to the previously approved plans.

The changes approved include raising the club’s seawall from about +5.3 feet NAVD to +8.0 feet NAVD at the club’s frontage; relocating the pool’s accessible lift from the north edge to the south edge to satisfy state-accessibility code provisions; replacing swinging entry gates along Gordon Drive with sliding gates moved to the same footprint after demolition; and expanding the below‑grade stormwater vault storage from about 85 units to about 162 units to improve on‑site capture and reduce discharge to the city system.

Why it matters: The club is rebuilding a generational facility and says the seawall elevation and the added stormwater storage are resilience measures that both protect the facility and reduce runoff into public systems. The amendments were presented as “minor improvements” that do not change the conditions listed in the 2024 conditional‑use resolution, and staff reported the changes are consistent with city code and existing review findings.

Project team architect Tim McCarthy told council that the clubhouse already includes significant elevation and flood‑proofing: “Compared to FEMA’s zone AE designation, the club’s dining rooms are located about 6 feet higher at elevation 15, with kitchens at about elevation 18.6,” he said, adding the club is choosing more durable construction systems and a longer planning horizon. McCarthy also said the seawall work will be built immediately behind the existing wall “entirely on the club’s privately owned property.”

Civil engineer Blair Foley described the stormwater improvements, saying the new design was developed during building‑permit review and will both meet the city’s 2021 stormwater standards and reduce peak discharge. Foley said the design shows the flow rate to the city system will be limited and that the vault expansion substantially increases on‑site storage: “The previously proposed 85 storage units have now nearly doubled to 162 storage units below grade,” Foley said. He also explained the project will install collection trenches, pipes and control structures so runoff is held and treated on site before release.

Council and staff comments: Planning staff reported the amendment does not alter the conditions that city council originally imposed in August 2024 and that staff finds the revised plans sufficient. Council members asked about neighboring seawall elevations and the public‑benefit rationale; the petitioners said neighboring properties have permits or construction raising walls toward +8.0 feet and that the club’s work follows AECOM’s resilience recommendations prepared for the city.

Outcome: Council member Ray Christman moved approval; Vice Mayor Terry Hutchison seconded. The resolution to amend the conditional use passed unanimously. Council members said they appreciated the accessibility change that moves the pool lift to a code‑compliant location and generally supported the stormwater upgrades.

What’s next: The amended plans will be incorporated into the building permit and final construction documents; permits and any Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) approvals (coastal construction setback line, CCCL) remain required for the seawall and beachside work. The council action updates only the conditional‑use resolution that references the approved plan set; the conditions of the original approval otherwise remain in force.