The Orange County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 14 approved shoreline alteration permit SADF‑2505014 to replace an aging wooden seawall with a new vinyl seawall along the eastern shore of Lake Isleworth at 6312 Deacon Circle.

What was requested and approved: The applicants proposed roughly 101.7 feet of replacement vinyl seawall directly in front of the existing failing wooden structure. Staff noted the existing wall’s poor condition and that the neighboring property to the south has a seawall while the property to the north does not. As part of the county’s shoreline requirements and prior board guidance, staff required measures to foster shoreline stability and habitat, so the approval included conditions calling for riprap and native plantings seaward of the replacement wall, and a short return on the wall’s south end.

Why the board acted: Planning and Environmental Protection Division staff reviewed the application under Orange County Code Chapter 33, Article 4 (shoreline alteration, dredge and fill standards) and found the proposal consistent with the code and appropriate for issuance subject to the listed conditions. No public objections were received during the notification period; no members of the public testified on the item at the hearing.

Vote: Commissioner Bryon Wilson moved approval; Commissioner Kelvin Moore seconded and the vote was unanimous.

Next steps: The permit is effective on Oct. 14 for the applicants to proceed under the listed conditions; construction will be subject to the county’s standard permit compliance inspections.

Context and clarifications: Staff reported the existing seawall appears to have been installed circa 2008 by prior owners; EPD could not find a conclusive prior permit for the wooden wall. Consistent with county policy, the replacement includes scarps of riprap and native vegetation where feasible to reduce erosion and support shoreline habitat.