Shorelines, 12/15/04
The Beaches Watch Group, which led the petition drive for Jacksonville Beach’s 35-foot building height referendum, received the Community Activism Award Monday from the Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group.
The award recognizes the Beaches Watch Group’s organization and efforts to promote community-friendly growth at the Beaches.
The Beaches Watch Group, an association of community activists led by Chairwoman Sandy Golding, formed in February after a developer proposed a 550-unit condominium and yacht club at Beach Marine on Beach Boulevard.
The Marina plan failed. Concerned about plans for dozens of high-rise oceanfront condos, the Beaches Watch Group started a petition drive for a ballot referendum that would cap building height at 35 feet. About 76 percent of Jacksonville Beach voters approved the measure on Nov. 2.
The Sierra Club also recognized state Rep. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, as legislator of the year and Barbara Goodman, park superintendent of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, for environmental leadership.