3.a) First Reading of Ordinance 26-08, an ordinance amending the City of Dunedin Code of Ordinances to prohibit launching motorized watercraft from the Dunedin Causeway Beach to protect the shoreline, reduce negative environmental impacts and reduce overall user safety.
The proposal to ban motorized watercraft launches from the causeway offers many benefits: seagrass and wildlife recovery, and improved safety around jet skis and other motorized vehicles. But I believe this situation has more than one side, so instead of a full ban, I'd ask the Commission to consider allowing motorized watercraft during certain hours or days. That way, the environment still gets time to recover and safety risks go down, but people don't lose recreational access to a spot that's meant a lot to this community for years.
Please protect this unique and beautiful area from vehicles with trailers in and out all day. It has been so much more peaceful without. Not to mention the benefits being brought to the table about seagrass and marine life. The city just spent money redoing the shoreline. Why would you invite a bunch of trucks with heavier trailers back to ruin it? Not the place for it!
I want to express my unequivocal support for Ordinance 26-08. I urge you to pass it. The benefits are obvious, and there are no downsides.
Also, I want to remind the City Commission that their primary obligation is to the residents and taxpayers of the City of Dunedin. There will be people who express support for keeping the Causeway open to launching motorized watercraft. Many of them will be from outside the City of Dunedin, therefore not paying any City taxes or fees which are used to maintain the Causeway. The Commission should disregard the input of people who don't live in Dunedin.
I’m not able to attend the meeting this Thursday but hope that the ban on Jetski’s launching on the Causeway is confirmed. As a resident of Dunedin I think that all of the outside noise from non-residents should be ignored.
The causeway has been a much better place since the ban, making it safer for kayakers and paddlers as well as swimmers. The resurgence of the sea life is invaluable and we should do all that we can to preserve and protect our beautiful beaches.
Please do not be swayed by the jet ski groups. They are motor vessels and should launch at boat ramps, not along our beautiful causeway.
I sent emails to all commissioners and the mayor stating that I desire the causeway to remain jet ski free. I have frequented the causeway for decades and the trash they leave behind, noise, reckless behavior of some raise significant issues for me as a taxpayer on two properties in Dunedin. I'm certain there has been one individual renting jet skis from a tent on the causeway, which should be regulated as to safety and income. There have been unfortunate accidents claiming lives out in the water off the causeway and we should do whatever we must to ensure the safety of those enjoying Florida's environment and that means we need to prohibit jet skis from launching there. More details were provided in my email to those mentioned above.
We support keeping the causeway closed to motorized launches. The rebound of sea life, safety of swimmers and cleanliness of the causeway beaches have markedly improved since its initial closure after the October 2024 hurricanes.
Dunedin should not further restrict pwc launching from the causeway. I do not own or operate a pwc. However the causeway provides a unique and valuable opportunity for water sports, including pwc’s. This action will also lead to further congestion at the Dunedin boat ramp and marina, if it ever reopens. The sounds should be freely available for all the public, including pwc’s. And those that don’t care for them should not use this process to restrict the otherwise lawful and peaceful use of our waterways and beaches - including by pwc owners and operators.
The proposal to ban motorized watercraft launches from the causeway offers many benefits: seagrass and wildlife recovery, and improved safety around jet skis and other motorized vehicles. But I believe this situation has more than one side, so instead of a full ban, I'd ask the Commission to consider allowing motorized watercraft during certain hours or days. That way, the environment still gets time to recover and safety risks go down, but people don't lose recreational access to a spot that's meant a lot to this community for years.
Please protect this unique and beautiful area from vehicles with trailers in and out all day. It has been so much more peaceful without. Not to mention the benefits being brought to the table about seagrass and marine life. The city just spent money redoing the shoreline. Why would you invite a bunch of trucks with heavier trailers back to ruin it? Not the place for it!
I want to express my unequivocal support for Ordinance 26-08. I urge you to pass it. The benefits are obvious, and there are no downsides.
Also, I want to remind the City Commission that their primary obligation is to the residents and taxpayers of the City of Dunedin. There will be people who express support for keeping the Causeway open to launching motorized watercraft. Many of them will be from outside the City of Dunedin, therefore not paying any City taxes or fees which are used to maintain the Causeway. The Commission should disregard the input of people who don't live in Dunedin.
I’m not able to attend the meeting this Thursday but hope that the ban on Jetski’s launching on the Causeway is confirmed. As a resident of Dunedin I think that all of the outside noise from non-residents should be ignored.
The causeway has been a much better place since the ban, making it safer for kayakers and paddlers as well as swimmers. The resurgence of the sea life is invaluable and we should do all that we can to preserve and protect our beautiful beaches.
Please do not be swayed by the jet ski groups. They are motor vessels and should launch at boat ramps, not along our beautiful causeway.
I sent emails to all commissioners and the mayor stating that I desire the causeway to remain jet ski free. I have frequented the causeway for decades and the trash they leave behind, noise, reckless behavior of some raise significant issues for me as a taxpayer on two properties in Dunedin. I'm certain there has been one individual renting jet skis from a tent on the causeway, which should be regulated as to safety and income. There have been unfortunate accidents claiming lives out in the water off the causeway and we should do whatever we must to ensure the safety of those enjoying Florida's environment and that means we need to prohibit jet skis from launching there. More details were provided in my email to those mentioned above.
We support keeping the causeway closed to motorized launches. The rebound of sea life, safety of swimmers and cleanliness of the causeway beaches have markedly improved since its initial closure after the October 2024 hurricanes.
Dunedin should not further restrict pwc launching from the causeway. I do not own or operate a pwc. However the causeway provides a unique and valuable opportunity for water sports, including pwc’s. This action will also lead to further congestion at the Dunedin boat ramp and marina, if it ever reopens. The sounds should be freely available for all the public, including pwc’s. And those that don’t care for them should not use this process to restrict the otherwise lawful and peaceful use of our waterways and beaches - including by pwc owners and operators.