The City of Atlantic Beach is sounding a courteous alarm to the locals, highlighting the issues stemming from the well-meant yet misguided placement of items in the public right-of-way. Before the municipal code enforcers start handing out notices or fines, the city hopes to spread awareness on what's acceptable and what's not when it comes to these shared spaces.
For those wondering what falls under the classification of a public right-of-way, it encompasses those strips of land that run along our sidewalks, front yards, and utility easements. They are the patches between where your home ends and the public thoroughfare begins. In essence, they're meant for communal use, demanding to be kept open for city maintenance work, and for the unobstructed flow of pedestrians, cyclists, and automobiles.
In a statement highlighted on the City of Atlantic Beach's official website, any attempts at adorning or obstructing these areas with physical barriers are a no-go. The list of banned items, as outlined by the City Code Section 19-1, includes "Rocks or boulders, posts or bollards, tree stumps, fencing, any other physical barriers." The purpose here is straightforward: keeping the pathways safe and functional for the entire community.
Concerned citizens who might be in doubt over what exactly constitutes a hindrance, or those looking for more information on the subject, the city has opened up channels for dialogue. Direct your queries to [email protected] or give a call to (904) 247-5804.
