City Approves Marina Developement

City Approves Marina Development
Posted on 10/14/2019
Port St Joe Marina

After weeks of negotiations on some of the fine print, Port St. Joe city commissioners last week approved plans by the St. Joe Company for development of the Port St. Joe Marina.

Commissioners approved the Planned Unit Development for the marina, a plan that fills in the details on what St. Joe is proposing in what the company is labeling a complete rebuild.

“The Port St. Joe Marina received substantial damage from Hurricane Michael,” wrote Josh Baxley, Senior Project Manager for Dewberry Engineers, Inc. “The St. Joe Company is in the process of removing the damaged facilities and planning for a complete rebuild.”

Most of the parcel has been cleared as of this week.

Commissioners have already approved a small-scale amendment which will accommodate the details of the PUD, which commissioners had held off approving as negotiations continued over boat slips and parking.

The number of boat slips has increased from 99 to 300, including wet and dry slips, according to the plans.

The required parking for boat slips will be one space for every five wet/dry slips.

In addition, the plans call for a marina store and marina club and the addition of a 150-room hotel and accessory services such as restaurants, lounges, retail space, meeting rooms and recreation facilities.

The PUD also provides for single-family or multi-family residential units with density increased from seven units per acre to 15.

In addition, the PUD includes passive recreational areas including hiking, nature and bike trails, stormwater management facilities, docks, piers, viewing platforms, boardwalks, picnic areas and areas for bird watching.

“I am looking forward to them getting going on this,” said Mayor Rex Buzzett.