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Now—in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael—it is more important than ever that
St George Islanders have a shared Vision of our future and speak in a common voice with our state and local officials who hold our future in their hands. As rebuilding around the county occurs, St George Island needs to be actively involved in decisions that will affect our island and move us toward the attractive and welcoming community we know it can be.
Our revised website SGI2025VISION reflects the recommendations arising from workshops and comments gathered since the original publication. Please review this new version for specific changes and clarifications. Thank you.
Editor's note: These changes clarify that the plan applies only to the business district which is the topic of the ordinance.
The St George Island Civic Club, now 400 members strong, has a long history of volunteerism for the betterment of the island and of serving as a forum for discussion of issues that impact island residents and home owners. This year the Civic Club has embraced the task of coordinating the development of a citizen-driven Business District plan, consistent with Franklin County Ordinance 2018-02, that will position St. George Island as a unique, attractive, vibrant, and economically prosperous community. Franklin County Ordinance 2018-02, adopted earlier this year, put additional regulations on the existing Business District on the Island. The timing is tied to the current infusion of new grant dollars for Gulf Coast counties resulting from the 2010 Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill Disaster.
The goal of the concept of “SGI 2025,” a working title chosen by the Civic Club, is to preserve and enhance the natural beauty and ecology of the island while providing managed economic development and positive growth. This plan is committed to maintaining the current height and density restrictions that are critical to maintaining the uniqueness of the Island.
At the request of many interested people, the website was opened not only to Civic Club members, but anyone who loves the Island for comments and suggestions. We need all Island citizens to join this planning effort. SGI 2025VISION, like its earlier version, addresses only the public land, not private property, within the commercial area of St George Island Overlay District, 3rd to 3rd, and beach to bay. This Vision will become the basis of a request to the County to prepare grant proposals for multiple funding sources.
Sponsored by the SGI Civic Club
The SGI2025 Plan is a proposal in response to the Ordinance 2018-02 SGI Business District Overlay.
No requests for funding or approvals have been granted for St. George Island's Business District Overlay Plan at this time.
On behalf of the SGI Board of Directors, we thank all the volunteers for their countless hours of research, preparation, measuring of distances, website creation, travel to meet with other communities and govt officials, photos, and endless commitment to SGI and the SGI2025 plan development.