May 12, 2008 WEAR ABC3 See Video
Chris Reid: "Public use of our beaches, and access to our beaches, could in effect be in jeopardy. People don't realize it's not just Pensacola Beach resident issue - it is an issue for everyone who enjoys Pensacola Beach."
When the Santa Rosa Island Authority issued 99 year renewable land leases to Pensacola Beach residents, lessors were under the impression that they were exempt from paying property taxes on the land and improvements made to the property. Leases were granted to develop the beach and to help afford an infrastructure on the island. Residents of the beach paid for water supply, sewage treatment, road construction and overall system development. The Santa Rosa Island Authority has maintained Pensacola Beach, managed development on the island, and has protected public land. Once taxation of improvements on the land has occurred, it is likely that the next step for the county would be to tax the land. In doing so, leaseholders would be given title to the land. Current and/or future property owners could limit access to beaches once considered to be public, likewise, without management by the Santa Rosa Island Authority future land uses could come into question. The Santa Rosa Island Authority is funded independently from Escambia County by the land lease. Bridge tolls, bed tax, and sales tax is paid to the county. Approximately 60% of the area known as Pensacola Beach managed by the Santa Rosa Island Authority is considered to be public access, this is not including the National Seashores. This is a fact that Pensacola can boast, unlike many other coastlines in Florida and across the country. If the reinterpretation of land lease contracts is permitted, all of those who enjoy Pensacola Beach as we know it may be affected. It seemingly opens the door to changes that many residents and non-residents of Pensacola Beach may not be fully aware of. For more information on the Island Authority visit SRIA-FLA.com
1 comments:
Thank you Chris, for your post on this issue. As you know, I own property in Pensacola as well as lease my home on Pensacola Beach. The politicians have used the “divide and conquer” method to turn everyone who does not lease property on Pensacola Beach against those that do.
I was shocked to hear that some of the areas that we all think are protected forever have future land use designations that could allow high rise buildings and other commercial development. Getting rid of the Santa Rosa Island Authority as a unnecessary layer of government is just a smoke screen. Without the protection of the SRIA, the county government can turn Pensacola Beach into another over developed shoreline with little or no access for the common people.
Follow the money on this issue and you find nothing but a dead end at the county government’s feeding trough.
Everyone should be against this whole scheme to suck every dime possible from the Beach with no concern for the NEGATIVE effects on ”OUR BEAUTIFUL PARADISE.”
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