RV park owner Bruce Wilson has petitioned the City of Cedar Key for determination of the protected zone boundary between his property and the marsh immediately to the west.
The April 1 hearing on Wilson's request began with City Attorney David Coffey advising that Code Enforcement Officer Josh Wilson had a conflict of interest and should not testify. Representing Bruce Wilson, Pete Wallace of Ecosystem Research Corporation presented a series of aerial photographs from as early at 1961 showing that much of the RV park was built on fill. That fill preceded legal prohibition of filling wetlands. A provision in the City Code allows exemption from certain requirements if the fill action was legal at the time done and that restoration of the area to wetlands would be prohibitively expensive. All five commissioners agreed that both requirements for an exemption had been met.
In public comment, Bob Treat noted that what had been designated "conservation zone" is being changed to "protected zone" and that the mean high water line determines the protected zone.
Mayor Oliver, in his determination of the Wilson exemption, said that the commission's action was a "very narrow interpretation," adding that we are on thin ice that could be a precedent. The next step in the process of setting lot boundaries within the RV park will come at a later date.
In other commission business, Commissioner Edmunds asked about the warning signs of water pollution at the City Park beach. Commissioner Sue Colson summarized the basis for warnings of water pollution. The beach has not been closed in the past four years of current standards. The warning sign comes from sampling mud at low tide. Bacterial counts result from several sources, including bird feces, pet feces and possibly live-aboard boats in the near-by marina.
Scott Dennison asked that the single warning sign be placed in an obvious spot. Commissioner Colson said that a kiosk where the sign could be posted is planned. | 
