Vilano Beach property owners' cooperation needed for renourishment project

SJC needs approval from 150 property owners to replenish shoreline

VILANO BEACH, Fla. – As beach erosion continues to threaten hundreds of homes along Vilano Beach, St. Johns County has started the process to rebuild the coastline. But the county first needs the help of property owners in order to begin the renourishment project.

In between the homes and the ocean, Vilano Beach is getting smaller and smaller. 

"I've lost 4 feet of sand in front of my steps right there, so it's gone down tremendously," said Jennifer Flournoy, Vilano Beach homeowner. 

That's why she said the county's push to replenish 2 miles of shoreline has her full support. 

"I’m ready for it. I haven’t really talked to anybody else around here, but I think, I’m sure, everybody else is with me, because we need it," Flournoy said. "Our beach is just being washed away."

St. Johns County officials are asking 150 property owners along Vilano Beach for easements -- permission to put equipment on their property to bring in much-needed sand. In just five days, they’re almost halfway to their goal.

The project would impact a stretch of Vilano Beach -- an area heavily impacted by Hurricane Matthew. But people who own property along the stretch said the problem started long before this past hurricane season. 

"We’ve suffered almost $120 million of sand loss. We’re trying to get every bit of it back and here is the first opportunity," said Neal Shinkre, St. Johns County Public Works directors.

The renourishment is being spearheaded by the Florida Inland Navigation District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In order to move forward with the project, they need approval from all 150 property owners. 

"One thing I want to note is, it’s free. It doesn’t cost any homeowner and these temporary easements will go away within 12 months," Shrinkre said. 

County officials will be going door-to-door this weekend in hopes of meeting their March 13 deadline for full support, saying the future of the homes depends on it.