Pinellas County leaders push for homeowners to sign off on beach renourishment plan in series of meetings

Renourishing the beaches after the storms

Leaders in Pinellas County hosted the first of a series of public meetings to share information on a one-time emergency sand dune renourishment project. Evyn Moon reports.

TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. - Leaders in Pinellas County hosted the first of a series of public meetings to share information on a one-time emergency sand dune renourishment project.

What we know:

Last hurricane season left Pinellas County’s beaches devastated — with as much as seven feet of elevation lost to storm surge. County officials say restoring these dunes is critical to protect homes and businesses from future storms.

They plan to spend $125 million, which will be funded by hotel bed tax dollars and state grants, to bring in millions of cubic yards of sand, stretching from the water’s edge right up to private backyards. 

But, there's a catch. 

More than 130 property owners have yet to sign legal easements that allow the county to put sand on their private land. Without those signatures, contractors can’t build up dunes behind those homes, which could lead to erosion "gaps" that direct stormwater right into neighborhoods.

Sand dunes took a hard hit during last year's hurricanes.

Dig deeper:

This effort will help bring more than 2.5 million cubic yards of new sand to parts of Sand Key, Treasure Island and Upham Beach.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the project last month.

PREVIOUS: Pinellas County approves $125M sand dune project after devastating hurricane season

To help get more easements signed, the county is hosting three signing days on July 21, 22 and 23 from 1-5 p.m. at Indian Shores Town Hall.

The other side:

Not everyone is on board. Some homeowners worry taller dunes will block ocean views and hurt tourism.

"We don’t want it — you lose your view of the beach, of the water," said resident Mark Pelon. "No one is going to want to come, plus walking on it is horrific for old people."

Sand dunes took a hard hit during last year's hurricanes.

Others argue the whole project is pointless if not everyone agrees to the easements. 

"All this money going into beach renourishment — it’s a boondoggle," said resident Tom Spoden. "It’s not going to work because they need 100% compliance … they need the ability to get on your property and pour sand – it effects all of your neighbors."

What's next:

Beach restoration is set to begin this September and continue through next January, moving down the Pinellas coastline. County officials will hold two more public meetings about the easements and upcoming work on the following dates: 

Wednesday, July 16

• Online meeting. To register, click here.

Wednesday, Aug. 6

• Belleair Beach, 444 Causeway Blvd.

Without full cooperation, officials warn the dunes will be incomplete, leaving some homes more vulnerable to flooding once contractors finish and leave.