Charlotte County residents packed the Board of County Commissioners’ chambers April 8, asking it to fully reopen the Port Charlotte Beach complex and South Gulf Cove boat ramp that were damaged during hurricanes Ian and Milton.
Groups from the Buena Vista section of Port Charlotte and South Gulf Cove expressed frustration that the BOCC is not acting quickly enough to fix aspects vital to their quality of life and safety.
Buena Vista neighborhood residents decried the loss of their park, pool and beach, while South Gulf Cove residents cited liability issues and fears their insurance companies will not cover their boats if they are not removed from the water ahead of a hurricane.
The loss of the community’s boat ramp forces them to trailer or motor their vessels to area ramps.
Some residents suggested those unable to travel farther to other boat ramps might leave their vessels on lifts. Hurricane force winds could blow the crafts into the waterway and the county would incur financial costs for cleanup.
David Cormier, president of the South Gulf Cove Homeowners Association, asked commissioners to find “some sort of fix so people can get their boats off the lifts and in a safe place.”
Michael Oberacker said the boat ramp is vital to the community and speculated property values in the neighborhood are affected by its absence. “A number of us moved to this area because it had a boat ramp close by,” he said.
Residents of the Buena Vista neighborhood lamented the loss of the beach complex. Although the tennis, volleyball and basketball courts and one boat ramp reopened, there is still no access to the beach.
Some residents of the Buena Vista Property Owners Association displayed signs that read “Take Down These Fences,” referring to fences around the construction site that blocks beach access.
“Our area means [a] good view,” said Sandi Witzke, president of the Buena Vista Property Owners Association. “Right now, all we look at is fences.”
There are 480 homes in Buena Vista located on a peninsula surrounded by Charlotte Harbor.
Mike Thompson asked why the county couldn’t move a section of fence to allow beach access.
Also expressing frustration were the commissioners.
Chair Joe Tiseo told residents that the county already provided $4.5 million to Community Services to make minor repairs throughout the county. In addition, Commissioner Chris Constance explained the county hasn’t been fully reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the $180 million it already spent, only recouping $100 million so far.
Community Services Director Tommy Scott said he must follow FEMA’s “20-step process” and likened it to a game of Chutes and Ladders with progress sometimes moving sideways.
If the county doesn’t follow bureaucratic guidelines and procedures, it may not be reimbursed by FEMA.
Commissioners also discussed seeking other funding sources from grants.
They voted to suspend parking fees at Englewood Beach, where repairs are ongoing, and Tiseo said he will seek to make beach parking free in the future.
The Port Charlotte Beach complex will be fully opened in late 2026.
Also, commissioners asked Scott to have staff provide a path to the beach.
Commissioner Ken Doherty, who has an engineering background, suggested that temporary repairs to the South Gulf Cove ramp be inserted into the project’s request for proposal as it moves through the design stage.
Project updates for the beach complex and boat ramp will be provided at the board’s April 22 meeting, along with progress reports for Englewood Beach, which is now partially open with a transit service to and from Tringali Park.
