Homeowners in Indian Shores no longer have to hand over permanent public access to the beach in front of their property for beach renourishment projects.

A new town ordinance requires only temporary access to private property while crews work on the beaches. Until now, homeowners had to permanently sign over public access to the stretch of sand in front of their homes.

Town Councilor Mark Housman said the ordinance will protect Indian Shores so people can continue to enjoy it for generations.

The change limits what property owners must give up to complete a project. A temporary construction access arrangement is a narrower request than a permanent public access grant, and it leaves homeowners with more control over their own property once the work is done.

Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a meeting next month at the Indian Shores Municipal Center to answer residents’ questions about the changes. Residents with concerns about how the new rules work in practice, including what access is required and for how long, will have a chance to raise them directly with the federal agency.

The town did not detail in available reporting which homeowners were affected by the old requirement or how many projects it held up.

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