§ 5.5. Water-Dependent and Water-Related Land Uses

Water dependent uses are activities which can be carried out only on, in or adjacent to water areas because the use requires access to the water body for: waterborne transportation including ports or marinas, recreation, electrical generating facilities or water supply. Water-related uses are activities that are not directly dependent upon access to a water body, but which provide goods and services that are directly associated with water-dependent or waterway uses.

5.5.1 Water Dependent Commercial/Industrial Development

There are no existing commercial fishing facilities (i.e., commercial docks, seafood processing facilities) with the exception of charter fishing and pleasure boats for hire at several marinas- or water-dependent industrial facilities located along the shorelines of unincorporated Santa Rosa County. The absence of these types of water dependent uses in Santa Rosa County is due to the unique lease situation on the County's barrier island and the lack of nearby Gulf Access. Therefore, these types of uses have not been displaced by development nor do they require special planning consideration. No need for new commercial fishing facilities or water-dependent industrial facilities including electric generating or water supply facilities has been established. Due to the environmental sensitivity of the Pensacola Bay system, the development of these types of facilities is not recommended. The predominant land use along the unincorporated shorelines is residential and there are no large parcels of vacant land that would accommodate adequate buffers that might allow compatible industrial development with existing adjacent land uses.

5.5.2 Beach and Shoreline Access

Approximately 1,548 acres of coastal area recreation sites are open to the public in unincorporated Santa Rosa County, including county, state, and federal parklands located on the Gulf of Mexico and other estuarine shorelines in the coastal planning area. In addition, the Plan contains policies related to the development and protection of public beach access. The existing public beach access points on Navarre Beach are shown on Map 5-7 below.

5.5.3 Marinas

The demand for recreational marinas grows along with the local population. In general, marinas should be sited where the optimum physical characteristics are maximized and impacts on marine resources are minimized. The Land Development Code establishes the locational criteria for marinas and these facilities must be comply with State and Federal permitting requirements which are consistent with adopted Comprehensive Plan policy.

5.5.4 Boat Ramps

Map 5-8 provides the location of the County's boat ramps. There are 27 boat ramps located within Santa Rosa County.

Map 5-7 Navarre Beach Public Access
Santa Rosa County, Florida

Map 5-8 County Boat Ramps
Santa Rosa County, Florida