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Issues & Info

Seawall Update

#Z .BSL 4OFBE

ou may recall that two years
ago (June 2016), the City of
YFt Lauderdale passed a new
seawall ordinance raising the
minimum height of newly
constructed or highly renovated
seawalls. As a part of this
process, the City also began an
analysis of city-owned seawalls
and assigned priorities to their replacement. We are pleased to report that
the seawall along Cordova Rd. has received one of the highest priorities
(top three) and is scheduled to be among the first to be replaced. The City
has already targeted $5 million in funding pending a land sale to this
project. The City is currently in the final design stages for the project and
will be going out to bid following the availability of the funds.
In the worst stretch of Cordova, at 11th Ct., the current wall is at 1.19 feet
above datum rising to an average of 2.34 at 9th St. The new walls are
proposed to be built at 5 feet above datum. This is higher than the
required minimum but provides additional resilience to the area. Raising
the wall as much as three and half feet may require an earthen berm
behind it to transition to the street level. In addition, the construction will
require the revocation of existing dock permits and the demolition of any
docks or other structures that have been built adjacent to the wall or in the
swale area.
Many of our readers may not be aware, but the land east of Cordova to
the water is city owned. Many adjacent homeowners have applied for
and received a use permit to allow them to build docks and other
structures. Over the years, there have been various terms and conditions
imposed on these permit holders regarding access, permissible
landscaping etc. If you drive down the street, there are clear differences
in what some owners have chosen to do with their permit. This project
will not only provide new and higher seawalls, it will give the City an
opportunity to amend the dock permit ordinance, and reset the permit
process, criteria and fees. During the public input, Rio Vista residents
will have the opportunity to provide feedback such as requesting greater
consistency of the landscaping along Cordova.

Work has just begun on this process and there will be multiple
opportunities for public input and discussion. Stay tuned. RV

24 rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com