Cornelius PD decides to Ban Rafting at Sandbar aka Beachin’

[HandymanHerb]

Cornelius PD decides to Ban Rafting at Sandbar aka Beachin’ Island

Cornelius PD decides to Ban Rafting at Sandbar/Beachin’ Island.

Effective starting this weekend Cornelius PD has decided to shut down rafting of boats at the Sandbar also known as Beachin’ Island.

No new law is in effect – and absolutely nothing has changed with the rafting ordinance to my knowledge.

I’m writing this quick because my phone and email are blowing up – I’ll write another article tomorrow when I have a bit more time.

Here’s the Short Version

Cornelius PD has decided to “interpret” the rafting ordinance so that it prohibits rafting around the island that extends from the Sandbar – referred to as Beachin’ Island. Beachin’ Island got it’s name AFTER the rafting resolution was passed since it is the specific location where the Marine Commission at the time INTENDED for people to go raft up when they booted everyone from rafting in Cocktail Cove.

Cornelius intends to continue banning people from rafting at the Sandbar for the foreseeable future.

Today – since the Sandbar was shut down, more boats went to Cocktail cove than normal. After today, Iredell County and Cornelius PD intend to enforce the rafting ordinance in Cocktail Cove as well.

That leaves – nothing - Nowhere to raft boats outside the main channel. Yes, they let the boats raft up off the next island out towards the main channel today – but there was abnormally low wind today. On a typical weekend, anchors won’t hold in the location where everyone rafted today. More details about how we tried to use today’s location in my next article.

So What Happened Today?

There is a real problem with loud profane music being heard three streets back into the Subdivision at the Sandbar. I understand all those residents don’t want to hear the loud music – they have a legit beef.

Cornelius PD decided in order to stop the noise, they would interpret the rafting law to fit their desires and ban rafting at the sandbar to stop the noise vs. trying to stop the noise.

How can this be? The intention of the rafting ordinance was to move rafting to Beachin’ Island…

It’s all about wording.

The wording as posted on the Marine Commission website is this: Section 3 Definitions, Item(d) - “Shoreline” means the full pond contour as defined by 760 feet elevation above sea level and does not include islands unless they fall within 300 yards of the shoreline.

Now – I was part of the committee in 2004 – and I don’t recall the resolution we passed being worded that was. My recollection is: “Shoreline” means the full pond contour as defined by 760 feet elevation above sea level and does not include islands”

The difference being the claim that since Beachin Island falls within 300 yards of the shoreline – the ENTIRE island is considered “shoreline” – meaning the rafting rules are in effect.

[sunedog]

Had to Google Iredell County, because I knew this story couldn't be out of Florida as soon as I saw 760 feet above sea level. The story is about Lake Norman in NC. That's just up the road from me. Glad they don't have any ordinances like that on Lake Murray in SC.

[HandymanHerb]

I just saw it and was seeing if anyone had anything to say about it

[slingshot]

WOW, that's bad news. What exactly constitutes "rafting" though? Can you just drop anchor in proximity of another boat and hang out?