Lawmakers debate Jekyll Island redevelopment

Coming up this week in the state legislature, hearings on a half-mile stretch of land at the center of a 352-million dollar debate. The powerful House Rules Committee will vote on a measure supporters say is meant to protect a popular public beach located on Jekyll Island.

The beach is part of a 352 million dollar redevelopment plan already approved by the Island Authority.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Debbie Buckner of Junction City, prohibits high rise luxury condos on the beach.

Opponents say any proposal that limits redevelopment also limits revitalization of the island’s economy.

An amendment added late last week, would remove the expiration date of the state’s Coastal Management Act. And, in the process, prevent the loss of millions of federal coastal protection dollars.

Earlier this session, a pair of proposals to scale back redevelopment on Jekyll Island, failed to make it past a Senate economic development committee.