More of Jekyll Island could face development under legislation introduced in the Georgia House this week.
House Bill 715, sponsored by Rep. Mark Hamilton, R-Cumming, appears to reflect changes approved by the Jekyll Island Authority in October. Instead of requiring that no more than 35 percent of the island be available for commercial development, the authority wanted to settle on a hard number. The compromise was 1,675 acres.
All but 78 of those acres are already developed and Hamilton’s bill sets out specific rules for how that remaining land may be improved. Twelve acres are set aside for expansion of the existing campground; 20 acres are available for “unrestricted uses” and the remaining 46 acres must be used for “public health, public safety or public recreation.” Public recreation, the bill says, “specifically excludes residential and commercial development.”
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