Commission approves 82-foot extension of dune handrails at Coast Cottages to curb foot traffic

Carey, senior planner, told the commission that the conditional use permit request for the Saint Simons Coast Cottages seeks to extend existing dune crossover handrails by approximately 82 feet into the seaward portion of the dune to prevent foot traffic and encourage revegetation. Staff said the existing crossover is roughly 545 feet with a landward portion of about 204 feet and that the proposed 36-inch handrail will address trails through vegetation.

Carey noted a prior conditional use permit (CUP 4618) approved on 02/23/2022 authorized the crossover construction and that the DNR has indicated the extension should be possible via a letter of permission rather than a new SPA permit. "So the new design is to extend those handrails from here all the way down into the vegetation to help prevent foot traffic within the dune," Carey said.

Patrick Anderson, neighborhood manager for the Coast Cottages and a homeowner, spoke in favor representing the HOA: "All of the owners in Coast Cottages are very much in support of this application," he told the commission.

Commissioner (unnamed) moved to recommend approval of CUP-25-5 as presented; the motion passed unanimously. Staff will seek the DNR letter of permission and then proceed with county and DNR steps required to implement the extension.