Commissioners Deny Private Crystal Beach Dock

So many people showed up Tuesday to speak out against a proposed private dock in Crystal Beach, they filled the Pinellas County Commission Chamber and had to wait in an overflow room one floor below.

Commissioners listened to citizens' pleas for more than two hours. Some supported the 296-foot-long dock that homeowner Glenn and Leah Bergoffen want to build on public waterfront land in front of their Maryland Avenue home. But most opposed it, including 12-year-old Justin Lis who has lived in Crystal Beach his entire life. The Palm Harbor Middle School student wore a colorful T-shirt that said "Crystal Beach" as he stood before commissioners and read from a neatly typed statement he had prepared.

"I don't see why the county would give away public land to a private owner," he said calmly.

Lis also spoke about the environmental impact of the dock. "If their dock happened, more people would want to have a dock, which means more dead grass and more cut down mangroves," Lis said.

A shell path that is also on the property is a popular walking route for residents. Many want to make sure the shell path and the rest of the property continues to be open to the public.  

"By granting Mr. Bergoffen the vacation of said property, it would not only set a precedent for others to apply for a vacation of property, but it would defy the intent of developers' desire for all equally to have full access to the water's edge and beyond. We do not want this to happen," said Linda Henry, who is in her 60s and grew up in Crystal Beach and still lives there today.

"As a Native American I oppose it, you're giving away public land," said Dr. William Falls.

Bergoffen supporters told commissioners there has been a lot of misinformation passed along in the community about the proposed dock. They argued that the dock would be environmentally friendly and two private docks already exist in the area.

The arguments were not enough to sway commissioners, who unanimously voted against the proposal. It was the same proposal Bergoffen brought before commissioners in 2008, but was denied. 

"I believe if you own waterfront property, you should be able to have a dock. This applicant is not a waterfront property owner, so that's very different. His application shows a blatant disregard in my opinion, for the history, the tradition and the legal intent of this very, very special community. The original developer set it aside for a purpose. Almost a hundred years now, it has been kept for that purpose," said Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala, who is also a Palm Harbor resident.

Commissioners voted to deny the proposal with prejudice, which means the proposal can not be brought before commissioners again in its present form.

Commissioner Norm Roche said he would like to see if the county can officially designate the property as a park or public land to prevent future attempts of private construction on it. 

Those against the dock organized a protest and petition drives. They say 759 people voiced their opposition to the dock by speaking at the public hearing, writing to commissioners or signing the petitions.

Related-

• Dogs Join Protest Against Private Dock in Crystal Beach
• Controversial Crystal Beach Dock Proposal Discussed at Public Hearing
• Poll: Should Crystal Beach Homeowners Be Allowed to Build a Private Dock on County Property?

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