Anyone who is lucky to live in Atlantic Beach, knows how important our parks, such as Howell and Johannsen, are to our citizens. These green spaces are more than just patches of grass; they are integral to the community's identity and recreational life. As our city develops and more individuals seek to expand their properties with impervious surfaces like driveways and patios, the issue of stormwater runoff becomes increasingly critical. Without proper stormwater management, we face the prospect of flooding and environmental degradation.

Our local code contains a vital provision that requires individuals to include onsite stormwater retention whenever they increase their impervious areas. This code is essential to making sure each property owner is responsible for managing the additional runoff they generate, helping protect our city's infrastructure and precious natural resources.

However, at our last COAB commission meeting, three commissioners voted to remove all onsite stormwater retention. This action  will  overwhelm our public stormwater systems. If the city cannot handle the excess water, we might be forced to convert parts of our cherished parks into makeshift stormwater retention areas. This would be a devastating loss to our community.

Preserving the resilience of Atlantic Beach means ensuring our stormwater systems are not only effective but sustainable. We need to uphold and enforce the current stormwater retention requirements for all property developments.

Join us in urging the City of Atlantic Beach to protect our stormwater retention code. Write, call or meet with your commissioners and come to the October 13th Commission meeting and voice your opposition to such a disastrous code change.  In supporting this petition you are advocating for sustainable development that respects both our environment and our community. Together, we can keep our parks as places of enjoyment and recreation, not as areas for excess water storage. Please sign and share with your friends to show your support for a resilient and beautiful Atlantic Beach!