GOLF COURSE GREENSPACE

PROPOSAL TO PRESERVE GREENSPACE

Since the creation of the 65/35 development limitation in 1971, the amount of allowable future development of Jekyll Island has been controlled and debated. In 2014, as part of the process to develop a new Jekyll Island Master Plan, a proposal to change from the 65/35 ratio to a maximum acreage limit was endorsed by the JIA Board and approved by the Georgia General Assembly. The 2014 Plan set the maximum development acreage limit at 1,675 and defined and delineated lands on the island as “developed” or “undeveloped.” The most recent 2021 update to the Master Plan called for the maximum development acreage to be adjusted to 1,659.4 acres in response to mapping technology improvements. This adjustment did not affect the extent of remaining developable acreage, which is 60.39, of which, only 20 is available for commercial or residential uses. While the JIA Board has long taken the position of limiting development on the island consistent with its capacity, public misconceptions that the Master Plan and the Vincent Golf Master Plan were attempts to expand development opportunities on the island persisted. Such areas include the island’s golf courses, notwithstanding the JIA Board’s position on limiting development, the island’s golf courses are technically categorized as “developed” under the Master Plan and state law. Recognizing the importance of preserving the golf course areas technically categorized as “developed” from more intense, hardscape development, JIA staff prepared a proposed ordinance that would memorialize and protect these areas as greenspaces for conservation and recreational purposes. Greenspace preservation provides many benefits to the island. In addition to the many ecological benefits and the quality of (human) life, open space and greenspace preservation is a significant factor in Jekyll Island’s participation in the FEMA Community Rating System, accounting for nearly 60% of our entire point total. The points gained from greenspace and open space preservation directly contribute to the island’s Georgia-best Class 5 rating, resulting in a 25% discount for island residents on flood insurance policies through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The proposed ordinance set forth in the Appendix will operate to establish a protective overlay district on the subject lands, including most of the island’s golf courses and surrounding areas, limiting the further development to specific, narrowly defined uses.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ORDINANCE

• Providing for the creation, preservation, and maintenance of a Greenspace Preservation District, including certain open spaces such as golf courses and related facilities, for low-impact recreational activities, wildlife habitats, and natural resource conservation areas.

• Permitting within the Greenspace Preservation District: - General recreation - Golf courses - Greenspaces - Installation and maintenance of underground public utility facilities - Installation and maintenance of underground telecommunications facilities - Natural resource management • Conditionally permitting within the Greenspace Preservation District: - Educational facilities - Public utility facilities - Special events - Telecommunications facilities

By limiting the types of uses and activities by ordinance, the JIA will be better able to plan for the future of Jekyll Island State Park.

STRATEGIC ACTIONS

• Adopt the Greenspace Ordinance presented in the Appendix as recommended by staff. • Update the Jekyll Island Master Plan maps to reflect the Greenspace Preservation areas during the next Master Plan Update in 2028. • Consider requesting introduction of legislation to enshrine the Greenspace Preservation ordinance protections in an amendment to the Jekyll Island State Park Authority Act.