Orange commissioners approve after-the-fact seawall on Lake Butler

Orange County commissioners on Nov. 19 approved an after-the-fact shoreline alteration permit on the property of 1309 Kelso Blvd., Windermere.

The home’s owners, Brett and Katie Claflin, in 2023 began constructing a vinyl seawall without the proper permits. The Environmental Protection Division in October 2023 sent the Claflins a notice of violation, which included a an administrative penalty in the amount of $3,999. That penalty later was reduced to $1,687.50, which the Claflins paid.

The vinyl seawall is replacing an existing wooden seawall, which is in poor condition. The new seawall includes about 101 feet of replacement vinyl seawall behind the existing seawall, with an 11.8-foot return on the northern end and an 8.3-foot return on the southern end. The project also includes the installation of a 5-foot wide staircase within the seawall, Environmental Programs Administrator Tim Hull said.

No seawall is present on the property to the south; however, the property on the north has a seawall, and there are other seawalls on Lake Butler. Based on prior board direction, riprap and plantings are normally required for new and replacement seawalls. Therefore, the Claflins will install riprap waterward of the replacement seawall along its entire length and native plantings will be installed except for the area within the designated 30-foot access corridor, Hull said.