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SYKES VIEW HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION AND GENE R. SMITH vs DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, F/K/A DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, 94-002578 (1994)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 94-002578 Visitors: 15
Petitioner: SYKES VIEW HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION AND GENE R. SMITH
Respondent: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, F/K/A DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Judges: MARY CLARK
Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
Locations: Melbourne, Florida
Filed: May 06, 1994
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Thursday, August 10, 1995.

Latest Update: Feb. 07, 1996
Summary: Whether petitioners were required to obtain consent or authorization from Respondent to occupy and use sovereign submerged lands for the dock at issue herein; Whether petitioners obtained agency consent or authorization to occupy and use sovereign submerged lands; Whether petitioners are entitled to consent or authorization to occupy and use sovereign submerged lands after-the-fact; and If entitled, what terms and conditions should apply or be imposed incident to granting after-the-fact authoriz
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94-2578.PDF

STATE OF FLORIDA

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS


SYKES VIEW HOMEOWNERS ) ASSOCIATION, and GENE R. SMITH, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

vs. ) CASE NO. 94-2578

) DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ) PROTECTION, f/k/a DEPARTMENT OF ) NATURAL RESOURCES, )

)

Respondent. )

)


RECOMMENDED ORDER


Pursuant to notice, the Division of Administrative Hearings, by its duly designated hearing officer, Mary Clark, held a formal hearing in the above- styled case on February 9 and 10, 1995, in Melbourne, Florida.


APPEARANCES


For Petitioners: Allen C. D. Scott, II, Esquire

120 Commercial Avenue

Federal Point, Florida 32131


For Respondent: M. B. Adelson, IV, Esquire

Assistant General Counsel

Department of Environmental Protection 2600 Blair Stone Road, Mail Station 35 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400


STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES


  1. Whether petitioners were required to obtain consent or authorization from Respondent to occupy and use sovereign submerged lands for the dock at issue herein;


  2. Whether petitioners obtained agency consent or authorization to occupy and use sovereign submerged lands;


  3. Whether petitioners are entitled to consent or authorization to occupy and use sovereign submerged lands after-the-fact; and


  4. If entitled, what terms and conditions should apply or be imposed incident to granting after-the-fact authorization to occupy and use sovereign submerged lands.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT


This case concerns a dock constructed contiguous to Tract A, Sykes View Estates, in Merritt island, Brevard County, Florida.


The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), now Department of Environmental protection (DEP) , issued a letter and notice of rights to administrative proceeding in October 1990. petitioners responded with a request for hearing, but the agency initially contended that the petition was untimely, and initiated enforcement proceedings in circuit court. The circuit court cases were later voluntarily dismissed and the timeliness issue was waived based on Petitioners' production of an earlier date stamped copy of their petition. The case was referred to the Division of Administrative Hearings in May of 1994, for a formal administrative hearing pursuant to section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes.


After a continuance for good cause, and after the agreed withdrawal as parties of several homeowners or former homeowners in the Sykes View subdivision, the hearing proceeded as described above.


Petitioners presented the following witnesses: Richard Hefley, Ron Maddox, Gene Smith, and (as rebuttal) Peter Santisi and Shawn Huff. Respondent presented these witnesses: Ron Maddox, Bryan Poole, William Bunch, Barbara Bess and Michael Ashey.


Two exhibits were marked and received as joint exhibits: the Sykes View Estates subdivision plat and an application for permit dated May 10, 1989. The following were marked and received as petitioners' exhibits: petitioners' #1, 5-17, and 19-36. These were marked and received as Respondent's exhibits: Respondent's 1, 4, 13, 19, 23-25, 27, 30, 40, 43, 55, 58 and 59, and 61-66.

Respondent's exhibits 56 and 57 were marked for identification but were rejected as irrelevant.


The transcript of proceeding was filed on March 7, 1995. The parties filed their proposed recommended orders on April 4 and 5, 1995. The findings of fact proposed by each are addressed in an appendix to this recommended order.


On May 4, 1995 the hearing officer received a telephone message that petitioner Gene Smith was deceased. In response to a notice by the hearing officer, counsel for the parties, in separate letters, stated that the death should not affect the instant proceeding. The references herein to the party, Gene Smith, shall include his appropriate successors in interest.


FINDINGS OF FACT


The Parties


  1. Gene R. Smith is an individual who holds title to real property in Merritt island, Brevard County, Florida, described as Tract A Sykes View Estates. Gene R. Smith originally owned, in its entirety, the upland tract that was developed as Sykes View Estates, a small six-lot residential subdivision.


  2. Sykes View Association, or Sykes View Homeowners' Association is an unincorporated entity with certain rights in Tract A, described on the recorded subdivision plat, filed for record on 10/8/87:


    Tract "A" is dedicated to the homeowners association for river access. Maintenance of

    Tract "A" is the responsibility of the homeowners association.

    (Joint Exhibit 1)


  3. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was created by the Florida Legislature in 1993 with the merger of two previously separate state agencies, the Department of Environmental Regulation (DER) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). All existing legal authorities of the two agencies and all of their actions, pending and completed, were transferred to the new agency in Chapter 93-43, Laws of Florida.


    The Project


  4. The dock at issue extends from Tract A into waters of the State of Florida, more specifically, sovereignty submerged land lying within a water body known as Sykes Creek, part of the Banana River Aquatic Preserve in Brevard County, Florida.


  5. Sykes Creek generally runs north and south approximately 4.25 miles, from State Road 520 on the south to State Road 528 (the Beeline) on the north. Along the western side of Sykes Creek are approximately a hundred canals and thousands of homes. Sykes View Estates is also on the west side of Sykes Creek, and is surrounded on three sides by Catalina Isles Subdivision. Although virtually all of the west side of Sykes Creek from the Beeline to 520 is dredged and bulkheaded, with a myriad of man-made finger canals to access upland properties, the waterfront at Sykes View Estates is not dredged, and in its natural condition the water attains a depth of four feet approximately 220 feet from shore.


  6. Unlike the intensely developed west side of Sykes Creek, the east side of the water body is undeveloped; Audubon Park, a state-run park with extensive marshes and lakes, occupies the area east of and across from Sykes View. There are no homes at all on the east side of the Sykes Creek channel. Directly across the open water channel of Sykes Creek from the Sykes View Estates tract is a man-made dredge berm or dike, on the east side of which is both open water and marsh. Since construction of the dock in issue, the dredge berm across from Sykes View Estates has been filled and made into a roadway. For the purposes of this proceeding, the easterly extent of the Sykes Creek water body has not been surveyed.


  7. Prior to its development, the Sykes View Estates parcel was used as a dump site, full of trash and debris. In the late 1980's, Gene Smith, with the assistance of Richard Hefley, a licensed general contractor who had recently moved to Florida from Minnesota, determined to create a "tropical paradise."


    The Process


  8. In 1987, the subdivision plat was recorded and some houses were constructed, including houses for Gene Smith and Richard Hefley. Shortly thereafter, Gene Smith became very ill and asked Richard Hefley to help obtain permits for the docks they planned.


  9. Hefley had never been involved in the construction of docks, but started at the Brevard County building department for information about the process. He was told that the building department had no jurisdiction over open water but someone referred him to the Army Corps of Engineers, (ACOE), across the street.

  10. Hefley met with Irene Sadowski, staff person with ACOE; she gave him a copy of an instructional booklet titled, "State of Florida, Joint Application for permit" for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Regulation and Florida Department of Natural Resources. He studied the booklet and retained Fredlund and Packard, a survey and engineering firm, to work on the application.


  11. An initial application was prepared in March of 1988. Richard Hefley took it to Irene Sadowski to look over and consulted with Wilbert Holiday from DNR about the water depth requirements; he then went back to the engineers with preparation of an application package for formal submittal.


  12. The first application submitted to DER is dated 5/10/89 and is signed by Richard Hefley, who is also listed as the applicant. The survey and engineer's drawings attached to the application show three docks, one each on lots 3, 4, and Tract A. The intent was to have a dock on Tract A for use by the subdivision homeowners and two private docks for the riparian lot owners, including Gene Smith. The application stated that ownership of all of the subdivision was by Gene Smith, except for lot 2, owned by Richard Hefley. The application is date-stamped received by DNR on June 20, 1989; and by DER on June 14, 1989.


  13. After the initial application submittal, DER required that Hefley segregate the three proposed docks into three separate applications and resubmit them. The application for the dock on Tract A, which is the subject of this proceeding, is dated June 30, 1989, and is signed by both Richard Hefley and Gene Smith. The applicant is shown as "Sykes View Association." The application is date-stamped received by DNR on August 16, 1989; by DER on July 17 and August 15, 1989; and by ACOE on July 6, 1989. processing of the applications for the two other proposed docks was suspended after the present dispute arose.


  14. After resubmitting the joint application, Richard Hefley paid a visit to the DER district office in Orlando, in early August, and met with staff person Barbara Bess. She agreed to see him without an appointment because she perceived he was confused about the process. She also considered the applications he submitted "a bit confusing" and she wanted to make sure that the agency would not need to go through several reviews before his files could be considered complete. In Ms. Bess' view, the application at that time was substantially complete, and she noted this in a handwritten memorandum to the file.


  15. DER permit #05-168716-4 for the dock in dispute was issued on October 27, 1989. The permittee is listed as Sykes View Association, and the permit provides that the permittee is authorized "to construct a private multi-dwelling dock 220 feet long by 5 feet wide terminating in a 25 foot T on Sykes Creek in Section 24, Township 24 South, Range 35 East." (Petitioner's exhibit #6)


  16. The permit, the application form, and the instruction booklet described in paragraph 10 above, each includes clear statements that all necessary state, federal and local permits must be obtained prior to commencing construction. Gene Smith and Richard Hefley were aware of those provisions. On the joint application, below the signature line with Hefley's signature is this printed statement:

    NOTICE TO PERMIT APPLICANTS


    This is a Joint Application; it is NOT a Joint Permit You Must Obtain All Required Local, State and Federal Authorizations or Permits Before Commencing Work


    (emphasis, underlining, bold, and extra spacing in original, Joint Exhibit 2, page 4)


  17. It is apparent that Richard Hefley knew that other agencies' permits and a consent from DNR were required. However, he was also relying on the instructional booklet that he had been given and had studied carefully. The booklet describes a procedure for processing applications and provides that DER will forward the application to the ACOE and DNR. The booklet describes the review by the ACOE, DER and DNR. The booklet also states:


    Where the proposed activity involves the use of state-owned submerged lands, DER shall not issue a permit before approval or consent of use is obtained from DNR, although DER will continue to process the application to the extent possible.


    The processing flow chart on page 29 of the booklet states:


    No time constraints on actions taken by [DNR, Bureau of Lands]. Application submitted to DER is not complete until action by [DNR, Bureau of Lands] is taken, if required. (Petitioners' exhibit #1)


  18. Understandably (and consistent with the typical applicant confusion acknowledged by Barbara Bess) Richard Hefley and Gene Smith were elated with their permit.


  19. A condition on the DER permit requires the applicant to notify the agency when it is ready to commence construction. Richard Hefley called Barbara Bess and asked if everything was done. He understood her to say "yes", and he said that he was notifying her that they were ready to commence and would get a contractor. He followed his telephone call with a written confirmation dated November 19, 1989.


  20. Hefley and Gene Smith retained Darrell's Docks, a qualified builder in Brevard County, and construction commenced on November 27, 1989. By Friday of that week the project was virtually complete. The pilings, stringers, cross- bracing and part of the decking were in place by Friday afternoon when Richard Hefley was notified that he needed to call DNR. He tried to reach Wilbert Holiday, but spoke instead to Todd Vandenberg who said that he needed to speak with Mr. Holiday, who had already left the office. The deck was finished the following day, a Saturday.


  21. When Richard Hefley reached Wilbert Holiday he was told there was a problem since the paperwork for the consent for use was not complete. Hefley met with Holiday in the local DNR office on December 5, 1989 and a lengthy process of exchange of questions and information commenced.

  22. This process continued for several months in 1990 and culminated in October 1990 with the notice of denial which triggered the request for formal hearing and the instant proceeding.


    The Controversy


  23. If the applicant was confused about the process, the agency reviewers were also confused about the application. The references to the Sykes View Homeowners Association on the joint applications made the ownership and the use intended unclear. During the permit review process and at the hearing these issues were partially resolved as reflected in these findings of fact.


  24. At all times relevant, Gene Smith was the record owner of Tract A, the upland parcel upon which the dock is sited. Smith's intent was that the dock would be used by the six homeowners in the small subdivision, for fishing and boating. While the initial plan was for four boat slips, Mr. Smith, at some stage of the review, agreed to reduce the number of slips to two. At all times relevant and throughout the application and review process, Richard Hefley was acting on behalf of Richard Smith, with his express authority. Neighbors enjoy the use of the dock, but there is no evidence of any maintenance by the homeowners' association.


  25. The dock, as designed and built, is approximately 220 feet long and five feet wide, with a 25 foot "T" cross at the end. It extends from the upland tract across approximately 29 percent of the width of Sykes Creek. It does not extend into the dredged channel and does not, therefore, interfere with navigation in that channel. The width of Sykes Creek at the dock site is approximately 750 feet, according to crude measurements with a U.S. Geological Survey map and a ruler. In an attachment to one of the application submittals, Petitioners' engineers reflect a width of 750 feet.


  26. During the course of its review and before the denial notice, DNR staff recommended that the dock be completely restructured to decrease the width of the walkway to four feet, shorten the length from shore to 150 feet, raise the height of the walkway to five feet above water, space the planks no closer than 1/2 inch, install guard rails and post "no mooring" signs.


  27. At any length less than presently existing, boat access is precluded, as the water is too shallow. Power boats would prop dredge the sandy bottom in the shallow water. Turbidity can affect sea grasses as distant as 100 feet from the boat. The modifications recommended by DNR staff would permit some fishing but no boating rights to the riparian owner. In the view of DNR's reviewing staff, boating at this site is inappropriate.


  28. The dock as built has received other permits and approvals in addition to the DER permit. The DNR shellfish environmental assessment section stated no objections, since the area is not a shellfish harvest area. The federal Environmental Protection Agency provided a letter stating no objection. The

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a review and issued a report and recommendation for approval of the dock. The ACOE issued an after-the-fact permit on July 2, 1992.


  29. The DNR consent or approval that is the subject of this proceeding requires a different review, since the Division of State Lands serves a proprietary function on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Internal

    Improvement Trust Fund. No agency, including DER, had or claimed to have the authority to waive the requirements for consent of use for state-owned submerged lands.


  30. There is no credible evidence that the owner, Gene Smith, or anyone acting in his behalf deliberately acted to frustrate DNR review and approval process.


    CONCLUSIONS OF LAW


  31. The Division of Administrative Hearings has jurisdiction in this proceeding pursuant to section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes.


  32. The burden of proof is on the applicant to show that he is entitled to a permit or consent for use required to keep his dock. Florida Department of Transportation v. J.W.C. Co. 396 So.2d 778 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981) . In this case, he has met that burden.


  33. Section 258.42, F.S. provides that the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund shall maintain designated aquatic preserves subject to the following relevant provisions:


    (e) There shall be no erection of structures within the preserve, except:

    1. Private residential docks may be approved for reasonable ingress or egress of riparian owners.

    2. Private residential multislip docks may be approved if located within a reasonable distance of a publicly maintained navigation channel, or a natural channel of adequate depth and width to allow operation of the watercraft for which the docking facility is designed without the craft having an adverse impact on marine resources. The distance shall be determined in accordance with criteria established by the trustees by rule, based on a consideration of the depth of the water, nature and condition of bottom, and presence of manatees.


  34. Section 258.43(1), F.S. provides:


    258.43 Rules and regulations.--

    (1) The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund shall adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this act and specifically to provide regulation of human activity within the preserve in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with lawful and traditional public uses of the preserve, such as sport and commercial fishing, boating and swimming.

  35. Because different criteria apply, the threshold issue is whether the dock is a private residential single family dock or a private residential multi- slip dock, defined respectively as follows in rule 18-20.003, F.A.C.:


    1. "Private residential single-family

      dock" means a dock which is used for private, recreational or leisure purposes for a single family residence, cottage or other such single dwelling unit and which is designed to moor no more than two boats.

    2. "Private residential multi-slip dock" means a docking facility which is used for private recreational or leisure purposes for multi-unit residential dwellings which shall include but is not limited to condominiums, townhouses, subdivisions and other such dwellings or residential areas and which is designed to moor three or more boats. Yacht clubs associated with residential developments, whose memberships or utilization of the docking facility requires some real property interests in the residential area, shall also be included.


  36. In the course of the hearing it became apparent that the applicant and owner is Gene Smith, not the homeowners' association, and that the number of slips is limited to two. The criteria for a single-family dock should apply. The conditions recommended by DNR staff as described in paragraph 26, above, are consistent with those criteria.


  37. Relevant regulatory criteria are provided in rule 18- 20.004, F.A.C.:


    1. RIPARIAN RIGHTS

      1. None of the provisions of this rule shall be implemented in a manner that would unreasonably infringe upon the traditional common law and statutory riparian rights of upland riparian property owners adjacent to sovereignty lands.

      2. The evaluation and determination of the reasonable riparian rights of ingress and egress for private, residential multi-slip docks shall be based upon the number of linear feet of riparian shoreline.

      3. For the purpose of this rule, a private residential, single-family docking facility which meets all the requirements of Rule 18-

      20.004 (5) shall be deemed to meet the public interest requirements of Rule 18- 20.004(1)(b), Florida Administrative Code. However, the applicants for such docking facilities must apply for such consent and must meet all of the requirements and standards of this rule chapter.

    2. STANDARDS AND CRITERIA FOR DOCKING FACILITIES

      1. All docking facilities, whether for private residential single-family docks, private residential multi-slip docks, or commercial, industrial, or other revenue generating/income-related docks or public docks or piers, shall be subject to the following standards and criteria:

        1. no dock shall extend waterward of the mean or ordinary high water line more than

        500 feet or 20 percent of the width of the waterbody at that particular location whichever is less;

      2. Private residential single-family docks shall conform to the following specific design standards and criteria:

    1. any main access dock shall be limited to a maximum width of four (4) feet;

    2. the dock decking design and construction will insure maximum light penetration. with full consideration of safety and practicality;

    3. the dock will extend out from the shoreline no further than to a maximum depth of minus four (-4) feet (mean low water);

    4. when the water depth is minus four (-4) feet (mean low water) at an existing bulkhead the maximum dock length from the bulkhead shall be 25 feet, subject to modifications accommodating shoreline vegetation overhang;

    5. wave break devices, when necessary, shall be designed to allow for maximum water circulation and shall be built in such a manner as to be part of the dock structure;

    6. terminal platform size shall be no more than 160 square feet;

    7. if a terminal platform terminates in a Resource protection Area 1 or 2, the platform shall be elevated to a minimum height of five feet above mean or ordinary high water. Reasonable alterations to the height requirement may be authorized to facilitate access between the terminal platform and the vessel;

    8. docking facilities in a Resource Protect ion Area 1 or 2 shall only be authorized in locations having adequate existing water depths in the boat mooring, turning basin, access channels, and other such areas which will accommodate the proposed boat use in order to insure that a minimum of one foot clearance is provided

      between the deepest draft of a vessel and the top of any submerged resources at mean low water; and

    9. dredging to obtain navigable water depths in conjunction with private residential, single-family dock applications is strongly discouraged.

    (e) Exceptions to the standards and criteria listed in Rule 18-20.004(5), Florida Administrative Code, may be considered, but only upon demonstration by the applicant that such exceptions are necessary to insure reasonable riparian ingress and egress. (emphasis added)


  38. Although the focus of evidence was on the violation of the "20 percent rule", other criteria described above should be waived under the unique circumstances of the case, and with the conditions recommended below.


  39. This conclusion is based on an acknowledgment of the sovereign, proprietary interest of the Board of Trustees under the "Public Trust Doctrine", discussed in Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and Florida Department of Environmental Protection v. Kenneth Levy, 20 Fla. Law Weekly D1522 (First DCA opinion dated 6/27/95). That interest is balanced with the riparian rights of the applicant.


  40. Those riparian rights include boating. As supported by the evidence in this case, the length of the dock is the minimum necessary to permit boating without damage to the sandy bottom and more distant seagrasses. The terminal platform is the only appropriate portion of the dock for mooring of boats, and raising it would preclude safe embarkation. The width and spacing of the main access dock has been approved by the various environmental agencies with concurrent jurisdiction over the project.


  41. While the facts and law do not support an argument that the agency is now estopped from requiring the dock be removed or substantially altered, some consideration should be given to the good faith confusion by the applicant regarding the permit process. Since the two agencies, DNR and DER, are now combined in a single Department of Environmental Protection, the future need to address such confusion is obviated. Waiver in this case should not create an undesirable precedent.


  42. The conditions recommended below are based on consideration of the agency's concern that boats be discouraged from entering shallow water and the agency's concern regarding future maintenance of the dock.


    RECOMMENDATION


    Based on the foregoing, it is hereby RECOMMENDED:

    That a final order be entered, granting a consent of use to Gene Smith, or his successors, for the dock facility described in DER permit no. 05-168716-4, with these conditions:


    1. that he shall comply with all terms, conditions or restrictions of any other governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the project;

b. that he assume full responsibility for future maintenance of the dock;

  1. that no more than two boat slips be maintained;

  2. that those slips be confined to the terminal end of the dock; and

  3. that guardrails along the main walkway be constructed to limit boat access to the dock except at the terminal end.


DONE AND ENTERED this 10th day of August, 1995, in Tallahassee, Florida.



MARY W. CLARK, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building

1230 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550

(904) 488-9675


Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 10th day of August, 1995.


APPENDIX


APPENDIX The following constitute specific rulings on the findings of fact proposed by the parties:


Petitioners' Proposed Findings


1.

Adopted

in

Paragraphs 1

and 4.

2-6.

Adopted

in

paragraph 5.


7-8.

Adopted

in

Paragraph 6.


9-13.

Adopted

in

substance in

Paragraphs 7-9.

14.

Adopted

in

Paragraph 10.


15.

Adopted

in

substance in

Paragraph 11.

16-17.

Adopted

in

substance in

Paragraphs 12 and 13.

18.

Adopted

in

Paragraph 14.


19.

Adopted

in

substance in

Paragraph 17.

20.

Adopted

in

substance in

Paragraph 15.

21-23.

Adopted

in

substance in

Paragraphs 19 and 20.

24.

Adopted

in

substance in

Paragraph 21.

25-32. Adopted in summary in Paragraphs 22 and 30, otherwise rejected as unnecessary.

33-36. Adopted in Paragraph 28. Respondent's Proposed Findings

1. Adopted in Paragraph 3.

2 & 3. Adopted in Paragraphs 1 and 2. 4-6. Adopted in Paragraph 4.

  1. Adopted by implication in Paragraph 29.

  2. Adopted in Paragraphs 1 and 2.

9 & 10. Adopted in Paragraph 13. However, Smith and Hefley were also applicants. See Paragraphs 12 and 24.

11 & 12.Adopted in Paragraph 5.

13. Adopted in Paragraph 9.

14 & 15.Adopted in Paragraph 10.

  1. Adopted in Paragraphs 12 and 16.

  2. Adopted in Paragraph 13.

  3. Rejected as unsupported by competent evidence. It is clear that after the DER permit was received and the dock was built, Hefley received notice from DNR, but the record does not establish that the letter, however dated, was received in September or October 1989.

  4. Adopted in Paragraph 15.

  5. Adopted in substance in Paragraph 20. 21-22. Adopted in Paragraph 16.

23. Adopted by implication in Paragraph 29. 24-27. Adopted in Paragraph 25.

  1. Adopted in Paragraph 28.

  2. Rejected as unnecessary.

  3. Rejected as summary of testimony.

  4. Adopted in Paragraph 29.

  5. Adopted in Paragraph 26.

  6. Adopted by implication in Paragraph 25.

  7. Rejected as unsupported by the evidence, except for the finding that boats have been docked at the site, which is accepted.

  8. Adopted in Paragraph 27.

  9. Adopted in substance in Paragraph 24.

  10. Adopted in Paragraph 25.

  11. Adopted in Paragraph 27.

  12. Rejected a contrary to the weight of evidence, which evidence establishes that the water is four (4) feet deep at the terminal end of the dock.

  13. Rejected as unnecessary, except that in this instance, Smith is an individual owner seeking consent for a single-family dock. See Conclusion of Law, Paragraph 36.


COPIES FURNISHED:


Allen C. D. Scott, II

120 Commercial Avenue

Federal Point, Florida 32131


M. B. Adelson, IV Assistant General Counsel

Department of Environmental Protection

2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Virginia B. Wetherell, Secretary Department of Environmental

Protection Douglas Building

3900 Commonwealth Blvd.

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000


Kenneth Plante, General Counsel Department of Environmental

Protection Douglas Building

3900 Commonwealth Blvd.

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000


NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS


All parties have the right to submit written exceptions to this Recommended Order. All agencies allow each party at least 10 days in which to submit written exceptions. Some agencies allow a larger period within which to submit written exceptions. You should contact the agency that will issue the final order in this case concerning agency rules on the deadline for filing exceptions to this Recommended Order. Any exceptions to this Recommended Order should be filed with the agency that will issue the final order in this case.


Docket for Case No: 94-002578
Issue Date Proceedings
Feb. 07, 1996 Letter to MWC from L. Hefley (RE: enclosing copy of article from Tampa Tribune supporting hearing officer recommendation) filed.
Jan. 29, 1996 Final Order filed.
Aug. 10, 1995 Recommended Order sent out. CASE CLOSED. Hearing held Feb 9 and 10,1995.
May 22, 1995 Letter to HO from M. B. Adelson IV Re: HO Notice of May 9, 1995 filed.
May 17, 1995 Letter to MWC from Allen Scott, II (RE: response to notice dated 5/9/95) filed.
May 08, 1995 Notice sent out. (the hearing officer was given a telephone message from W. Bunch stating that the petitioner has died)
Apr. 05, 1995 Recommended Order (Unsigned) filed.
Apr. 04, 1995 Respondent's Proposed Recommended Order filed.
Mar. 07, 1995 Transcript of Proceedings (Volumes I, II, III, IV, tagged) filed.
Feb. 10, 1995 CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
Feb. 09, 1995 Respondent`s Motion in Limine; Respondent`s Motion to Take Judicial Notice; Respondent`s Motion to Substitute DEP Employee on Respondent`s Witness List (Filed w/HO) filed.
Feb. 08, 1995 (Petitioner) Request for Production of Documentary Evidence; Petitioner's Supplement to Witness List filed.
Feb. 03, 1995 (Petitioner) Motion for View by Hearing Officer; Notice of Compliance with Order for Prehearing Meeting filed.
Feb. 03, 1995 (Joint) Prehearing Stipulation filed.
Jan. 25, 1995 (Petitioner) Renewed Motion to Impose Sanctions filed.
Jan. 13, 1995 (Petitioner) Notice of Filing of Answers to Interrogatories; Second Interrogatories; Respondent`s Answers to Second Interrogatories of Gene R. Smith filed.
Jan. 13, 1995 Order sent out. (motion denied)
Dec. 22, 1994 (Petitioner) Motion to Impose Sanctions filed.
Nov. 30, 1994 Respondent's Reply to Order Compelling Discovery; Certificate of Serving Answers to Interrogatories; Certificate of Serving Answers to Second Interrogatories; Certificate of Serving Answer to Request for Production filed.
Nov. 14, 1994 Order Compelling Discovery sent out.
Oct. 21, 1994 (Petitioner) Motion to Compel Discovery filed.
Oct. 14, 1994 Notice of Hearing sent out. (hearing set for 02/09-10/95; 9:30am; Melbourne)
Oct. 14, 1994 Prehearing Order sent out. (Stips Due 01/30/95)
Oct. 05, 1994 (Respondent) Response to Petitioner Hefley's Motion to Withdraw as a Party filed.
Sep. 26, 1994 Letter to W.L. Bunch from MWC (RE: rescheduling formal hearing) sent out.
Sep. 01, 1994 (Petitioner) Notice of Hearing filed.
Sep. 01, 1994 Order sent out. (re: rulings from motion hearing; formal hearing cancelled)
Aug. 30, 1994 Notice of Hearing; Request for Oral Argument; Petitioners' Motion to Withdraw as Parties; Motion to Withdraw as Parties filed. (From Patrick F. Healy)
Aug. 30, 1994 (Petitioner) Request for Oral Argument; Petitioner's Motion to Withdraw as a Party filed.
Aug. 30, 1994 (Petitioner) Notice of Hearing filed.
Aug. 26, 1994 (Petitioner) Notice of Service of Answers to Request for Admissions filed.
Aug. 22, 1994 Request for Production filed. (From Allen C. D. Scott, II)
Aug. 09, 1994 (Petitioner) Request for Oral Argument filed.
Aug. 08, 1994 (Petitioner) Response to Request for Admissions filed.
Aug. 08, 1994 Special Appearance filed. (From Allen C. D. Scott, II)
Aug. 05, 1994 Order sent out. (motion for enlargement of time is granted)
Aug. 02, 1994 Notice of Propounding Interrogatories filed. (From Allen C. D. Scott,II)
Jul. 28, 1994 Motion for Enlargement of Time to Respond to Request for Admissions filed. (From Kelvin X. Crowley)
Jul. 25, 1994 (Petitioners) Answers to Requests for Admissions filed.
Jul. 22, 1994 Notice of Propounding interrogatories filed. (From Allen C. D. Scott,II)
Jul. 01, 1994 (Respondent) Certificate of Serving Request for Admissions filed.
Jun. 29, 1994 (Respondent) Certificate of Serving Interrogatories filed.
Jun. 29, 1994 Prehearing Order sent out.
Jun. 29, 1994 Notice of Hearing sent out. (hearing set for September 28, 29 and 30, 1994; 9:00am; Melbourne)
Jun. 29, 1994 (Respondent) Certificate of Serving Interrogatories filed.
Jun. 17, 1994 Joint Response to 5/18/94 Initial Order filed.
Jun. 03, 1994 Order sent out. (request for extension of time granted)
May 31, 1994 Respondent's Status Report to the Hearing Officer in Lieu of A Joint Response to 5/18/94 Initial Order filed.
May 18, 1994 Initial Order issued.
May 17, 1994 Letter to SLS from David J. Evans (re: petitioners' representation) filed.
May 06, 1994 Agency referral letter; Petition for Administrative Hearing; Agency Action letter; Final Order; Revised Final Order w/Notification to Parties (ltr form) filed.

Orders for Case No: 94-002578
Issue Date Document Summary
Jan. 29, 1996 Agency Final Order
Aug. 10, 1995 Recommended Order Waiver of criteria appropriate where 220 ft. dock is needed for boating access and extraordinary circumstances exist. Permit for a single family dock
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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