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Leon County
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Item#20 January 27, 2026 |
| To: | Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board |
| From: | Vincent S. Long, County Administrator |
| Title: | First and Only Public Hearing to Adopt an Ordinance Establishing a Boating-Restricted Area on Lake Iamonia |
| Review and Approval: | Vincent S. Long, County Administrator |
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Department/Division Review and Approval: |
Ken Morris, Assistant County Administrator Nawfal Ezzagaghi, Assistant County Administrator |
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Lead Staff/ Project Team: |
Scott Brockmeier, Director, Development Support & Environmental Management |
Statement of Issue:
This item requests the Board conduct a public hearing to adopt an Ordinance to establish a boating-restricted area in the pass between Strickland Arm and Lake Iamonia and to direct staff to coordinate with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the installation of associated regulatory waterway markers.
Fiscal Impact:
This item has a fiscal impact. Funding is available in Parks and Recreation’s operating budget to support the costs associated with the installation and maintenance of waterway markers, which is anticipated to be less than $1,000.
Staff Recommendation:
Option #1: Conduct the first and only public hearing and adopt an Ordinance to establish a boating-restricted area within the pass between Strickland Arm and Lake Iamonia (Attachment #1), and direct staff to coordinate with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the installation of the associated regulatory waterway markers upon adoption of the ordinance.
Report and Discussion
Background:
At its regular meeting on December 9, 2025, the Board scheduled the first and only public hearing to consider the adoption of an ordinance establishing Article V of Chapter 12 of the Leon County Code of Laws for January 27, 2026. The proposed ordinance would create a boating-restricted area in the pass between Strickland Arm and Lake Iamonia (Attachment #1) and require coordination with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for the installation of associated regulatory waterway markers.
In an email dated September 12, 2025, the property manager of Foshalee Plantation requested Leon County install waterway signage on Lake Iamonia in the narrow pass connecting Strickland Arm with the lake, where a fatal two-boat collision occurred in 2024 (Attachment #2). Foshalee Plantation is the property adjacent to the narrow pass and Strickland Arm. This pass, approximately 70-80 feet in width, is bordered on both sides by an elevated, densely vegetated levee that restricts visibility. Currently, there is no signage or warning markers on the lake that would otherwise advise or require boaters to reduce speed or use caution before entering the pass.
Following receipt of the request, staff contacted the FWC, which holds regulatory authority over waterway safety and signage on state waters, including Lake Iamonia. FWC advised that, while the State retains oversight of boating regulations under Chapters 327 and 328, Florida Statutes, the responsibility for addressing localized boating safety concerns rests with local governments. Specifically, Section 327.46(1)(c), Florida Statutes (F.S.), authorizes counties and municipalities to establish boating-restricted areas by ordinance within state waters when conditions present a navigational hazard or risk to public safety, including locations within 300 feet of a confluence of water bodies presenting a blind corner, a bend in a narrow channel or fairway, or an obstruction to visibility. In practice, this statute establishes a process for local jurisdictions to respond to identified boating safety concerns by adopting ordinances that establish boating-restricted areas, subject to FWC review and approval, to ensure alignment with state law and public safety objectives.
Additional information on the safety conditions, statutory criteria, and the next steps for ordinance development and coordination with FWC is provided in the Analysis section.
Analysis:
The request for waterway signage on Lake Iamonia prompted staff to contact FWC to determine the appropriate process for establishing a boating-restricted area for the narrow passage between Lake Iamonia and Strickland Arm. According to FWC’s Guidelines for Posting Uniform Waterway Markers, boating-restricted areas may be adopted where concerns have been documented by excessive numbers of boating citations, vessel traffic studies that describe safety problems, and hazardous waterway conditions. According to FWC, if a blind corner or obstruction to visibility is proven to exist in the area, FWC will support and approve an ordinance establishing a boating-restricted area within 300 feet of the blind corner. Following a review of the site, the Administrator of FWC’s Waterway Management Unit confirmed that a blind corner or obstruction to visibility does exist within the narrow passage connecting Lake Iamonia and Strickland Arm. Based on this confirmation, staff prepared a preliminary draft ordinance to establish a boating-restricted area consistent with FWC’s guidance and state law, which is included as Attachment #1.
The conditions confirmed by FWC align with the concerns reported by representatives from Foshalee Plantation. The narrow channel connecting Lake Iamonia with Strickland Arm is approximately 70-80 feet wide and is bordered by an elevated levee on both sides with large trees and dense vegetation that significantly obstruct visibility. As a result, vessel operators approaching the passage cannot see other vessels or users within 300 feet, creating a navigational hazard consistent with the criteria outlined in Section 327.46(1)(c), F.S. This area was also the location of a fatal boating collision, which law enforcement attributed in part to the restricted visibility within the passage.
Pursuant to Chapter 327.46, F.S., counties and municipalities may establish restricted areas when necessary to protect public safety due to conditions such as limited visibility, boating accidents, vessel traffic congestion, or other navigational hazards. Specifically, Section 327.46(1)(c), F.S., authorizes the establishment of restrictions within 300 feet of a confluence of water bodies presenting a blind corner or obstruction to visibility.
To establish such a boating-restricted area on Lake Iamonia, the County must adopt an ordinance in accordance with Section 327.46, F.S., which specifies that such ordinances must be supported by “substantial competent evidence that the ordinance is necessary to protect public safety.” Consistent with these statutory criteria and FWC guidance, staff prepared a draft ordinance establishing a boating-restricted area within 300 feet of the passage connecting Lake Iamonia and Strickland Arm.
Once adopted, the ordinance must be submitted to FWC for review and approval before any waterway signage can be installed. This review process is required for all local governments seeking to address boating safety hazards on state waters, including the narrow and visually obstructed pass on Lake Iamonia. Following FWC approval, the markers will be posted in the waterway by the County, alerting boaters entering the pass to approach the passage at “idle speed, no wake” consistent with the State’s uniform waterway marker standards as authorized under the Division of Law Enforcement’s Boating and Waterway Section of the FWC. Enforcement of the boating-restricted area will be by the FWC, or any other appropriate law enforcement entities with regulatory authority as provided in Section 327.70, F.S. Violations of the ordinance will constitute a non-criminal infraction and shall be punishable and carry fines as provided in Section 327.73, F.S.
Based on the information presented above, the proposed boating-restricted area is supported by documented navigational hazards and is consistent with the criteria established in Section 327.46, F.S. Adoption of the ordinance will enable the County to coordinate with the FWC for the installation of uniform regulatory waterway markers, thereby enhancing boating safety and ensuring safer passage between Lake Iamonia and Strickland Arm. The item recommends that the Board approve the proposed ordinance establishing a boating-restricted area in the pass between Strickland Arm and Lake Iamonia for the protection of public safety. Approval will also direct staff to coordinate with FWC on the installation of the required regulatory waterway markers.
The proposed ordinance was reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Quality Growth (ACQG) on December 15, 2025, and no substantive changes were recommended. The ACQG raised a question regarding whether the ordinance would limit access to Strickland Arm; however, the ordinance does not restrict access. The proposed boating restricted area is intended to address safety concerns by reducing the speed of boaters entering the narrow pass.
The public hearing has been advertised, consistent with Florida Statutes (Attachment #3). A Business Impact Estimate was also published online as required by Florida law (Attachment #4).
Options:
Conduct the first and only public hearing and adopt an Ordinance to establish a boating-restricted area within the pass between Strickland Arm and Lake Iamonia (Attachment #1), and direct staff to coordinate with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the installation of the associated regulatory waterway markers upon adoption of the ordinance.
Conduct the first and only public hearing and do not adopt the proposed ordinance to establish a boating-restricted area within the pass between Strickland Arm and Lake Iamonia (Attachment #1), and do not direct staff to coordinate with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the installation of the associated regulatory waterway markers upon adoption of the ordinance.
Board direction.
Recommendation:
Option #1
Attachments: