Storm impacts, Siesta Village issues on meeting agendas

The residential structure at 7110 Manasota Key Road is threatened by beach and dune erosion, according to a preliminary county staff assessment. The wooden deck has collapsed, and the dune walkover has been washed out.

During their monthly meetings this week, members of the Siesta Key Association are expected to hear an update on the damage Tropical Storm Debby inflicted on Sarasota County, while members of the Siesta Key Village Association are expected to hear updates July 3 on the bid process for the Siesta Village maintenance contract, noise issues in the village and Sarasota County staff efforts to determine the best way to illuminate the Village crosswalks.

Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson is expected to be present for the SKA meeting on July 5.

County staff has been continuing to compile and update assessments of beach erosion and other problems, County Administrator Randall Reid told The Sarasota News Leader July 2. A preliminary meeting was scheduled today, July 2, among county staff and representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to Laird S. Wreford, the county’s coastal resources manager.

In a June 29 email to Patterson, Wreford wrote, “Turtle Beach suffered some significant beach erosion from Tropical Storm Debby. It is estimated that 10-20 ft. of beach eroded away. South of Turtle Beach Public Park, from Fisherman’s Cove and Fisherman’s Haven condos down to the Palmer Point Park area, most of the restored beach and restored dune vegetation were washed away. … The rock revetment in front of Fisherman’s Cove and Fisherman’s Haven was exposed for the first time since the construction of the South Siesta Key beach nourishment project.”

However, Wreford added, the positive news was that some of the sand that had remained near the shore as submerged sand bars was expected to be pushed back up onto the shoreline in the coming days.

“So we won’t know the final loss for a little while,” Wreford added.

In an email sent to Reid June 29, Rob Lewis, the county’s executive director of planning and development services, said he had directed staff to Manasota Key last week for a hands-on review of storm damage to homes. Staff had met with John Geist, president of the Manasota Key Homeowners Association, and residents.

“They inspected homes on the beach side of the key to determine storm damage and to establish which agencies should be contacted and included in the dissemination of information toward the mitigation of storm damage,” Lewis added.

According to preliminary reports, Manasota Key sustained some of the worst erosion from the storm, county staff has notified the County Commission.

Lewis pointed out that one residence on that key had suffered “significant washout,” which had undermined its foundation.

The Village Association meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, at the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar, 5250 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key.

The SKA will meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 5, in Room F at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key.