Legislature 2007: Options stay open for Jekyll:
Battle for island's future heads to Senate floor

April 13, 2007
By Dan Chapman | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sen. Jeff Chapman (R-Brunswick) said he tried to "draw a line in the sand" Thursday to prohibit developers from building on the south end of Jekyll Island.

But a majority of his Natural Resources Committee colleagues voted instead for legislation to keep development options open for the pristine, popular and environmentally sensitive section of the state park.

The battle over Jekyll's future now moves to the Senate floor where Chapman and others remain confident they'll garner enough votes for HB 214 to stymie developers' designs on the island's south end.

"I think we'll be successful taking care of this important piece of business," said Chapman, whose district includes the 7.5-mile-long barrier island. Developers want to build up to $3 billion in new condos, hotels, shops and houses on the state-owned park that now boasts such development as a convention center, campground, historic district and golf courses.

By law, 65 percent of the island must remain beach, marsh and maritime forest. No pending legislation would allow development on that portion of the island.

Builders covet the other 35 percent, already home to 623 low-level, low-density residences, hotels with plans for $200 million in upgrades and worn-out shops. But there are still 108 vacant acres available for development within the 35 percent sector. And properties, including the 4-H Center and the soccer fields on the south end, could be scrapped in favor of new projects. "The highest and best use of the south end of the island is for it not to be further developed," said Sen. Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody), who voted for Chapman's amendment. "It is incumbent upon us to look after the interests of the citizens of Georgia."

Weber, though, didn't carry the day. Instead, Sen. Ross Tolleson (R-Perry) prevailed. Tolleson chairs the committee and offered a substitute to HB 214.

Tolleson's version, approved 5-4, extends the Jekyll Island Authority's lease another 30 years, until 2079. The original House version of the bill suggests a 50-year extension. Residents' leases also could be extended an additional 30 years.

Tolleson's substitute also reduces the degree of legislative oversight sought by the House over developers.

Chapman's amendment would have drawn a line literally in the sand below the south end's water tower to prohibit builders from getting control of the soccer complex, 4-H Center and an adjoining 3.9 acres. "If I was king for a day, I would prefer it be untouched," he said before the vote.

But authority chairman Ben Porter was satisfied that democracy, at least in the form of a committee vote, prevailed Thursday. "You don't want any restrictions [on] the direction and future of the island," he said. "Micromanagement is never good because you can't see the future."