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Ragga Surf Cafe Flagler County Florida Update 12/23 Post 34

Discussion in 'Too Hot for Swamp Gas' started by QGator2414, Dec 11, 2024.

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  1. Dec 14, 2024 #21
    BLING

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    OK basically had the same questions as me, so no, it isn’t political at all. Very weird self-absorbed take to think you influenced danglo’s or my opinion. I mean… come on. Thats honestly just self delusion.

    I was actually just thinking of some businesses I know and used to love in SW FL and NC literally *destroyed* by recent hurricanes. Which is what I expected this to be, instead of essentially what sounds to be more like a squatters rights issue.

    I’m not rooting for the developer either ftr. I have no dog in this fight either way. This is a barrier island that likely shouldn’t be developed, which is what can be said for most barrier islands in FL. The clue is in the name… barrier island.
     
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  2. Dec 15, 2024 #22
    dangolegators

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    It's your state, man. Isn't this what you wanted? Free state of Florida, open for business, all that shit? I moved away a long time ago in part because of the loss of old Florida culture to greedy businessman developers.
     
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  3. Dec 15, 2024 #23
    QGator2414

    QGator2414 VIP Member

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    So I was in communication with Ragga today. The support is amazing. We will see what happens.

    With that. I will be driving to Flagler County tomorrow afternoon to try and speak to the County Commission and push someone to make the phone call or provide Ragga what needs to be done to clear up the situation. I truly believe that two of the Commissioners are on the good side. Have to assume the others would be as well but we need to push them it appears. I am skeptical about Marineland the “town”. I think the legal council might be on Ragga’s side but they are representing a side that I believe has different motives. We have to get to FCT/FDEP and it is going to take the County and Marineland to do that. And time is of the essence so we feel we must show up in numbers tomorrow even though the County Commission does not have this issue on the agenda as they feel there is nothing to do until FCT/FDEP give an answer. A total shift in the urgency they showed when they provided the initial temporary license.

    We will try to get the news on this and continue to look for what we need to do in order for River to the Sea Preserve to be in compliance and working with Ragga to keep Florida natural. But I truly think we are up against a developer that wants to turn this area into concrete.

    I truly cannot express my gratitude to each of you that have took the time to support this! Over 8K signatures already!
     
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  4. Dec 16, 2024 #24
    camp1

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    Your last sentence is very much incorrect. It happens all the time although you would likely be required to receive fair compensation as a property owner. Likely not as a lessee (tenant).

    I understand this is really not applicable in this situation, but even if there was an enforceable lease for the property, the land could be taken and the business forced to move.
     
  5. Dec 16, 2024 #25
    camp1

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    It does amaze me that voters that are very quick to support a pro-business/eliminate government red tape stance tend to quickly change their mind when it has a direct impact on their lives.

    I live in North Carolina now but have family and friends in that area of Florida and have driven that stretch many times. I was surprised that such an undeveloped stretch of coastline still existed on the Atlantic side of Florida. I doubt that many people going through there are thinking that what the area needs is some high rise condos and big development, unless of course you stand to make a big profit off of it.

    I live in a heavily pro-Republican district and county but you have never seen a group like the residents at my lake property go crazy the second someone so much as puts a shovel in the ground around the lake. The same is true of developments in rural valleys, industrial use plants, anything that would disrupt the natural beauty of the area. Then everyone wants that government involvement.

    It goes to show, everyone is an environmentalist, we just often define our environment differently.
     
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  6. Dec 16, 2024 #26
    BLING

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    I assume you are referring to eminent domain?

    In what other situations would people be “forced to move” or “land taken” without any recompense?

    Obviously if a person owns the property they better be compensated for their property or it’s just straight theft. A person with a land-lease may be in a dicier situation, but how much does that really come up? You hear about it sometimes with trailer parks and such.

    Commercial lease clauses have stipulations if a building or plot becomes unusable the lease can be broken. So maybe this is what you refer to. I’m sure lots of buildings get genuinely ruined in hurricanes and must be gutted or razed, and other times landlords use relatively minor damage as an “opportunity”. RE can be a shady business.
     
  7. Dec 16, 2024 #27
    camp1

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    I was mainly referring to eminent domain but I have certainly seen a government entity stretch that power to assist with the feasibility of a private development. Along the lines of the need for expanded ingress/egress of public roads/property to accommodate an increase of traffic.

    Unless we need to get into the corruption of south Florida politicians who used their office to put private businesses out of business by weaponizing the inspections department, etc. (see Joe Carollo) when there were financial ties to developers seeking property.
     
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  8. Dec 16, 2024 #28
    QGator2414

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    All for removing the inefficient red tape. That said I am also all for protecting lands. As you note...this stretch is fairly undeveloped and that is one of the reasons we were attracted to the area. The odd part of this situation is that red tape appears to be what is going to potentially take down a special little business that defines exactly what the FCT and FDEP are trying to accomplish. But the state agency is inefficient in this case. And right now the one thing holding this back is the red tape. The FCT and FDEP are the ones issuing the immediate vacate order. We are trying to get the county to be more aggressive in order to not only save Ragga. But help get the details worked out where everyone wins. As Ragga has the ability to not only be a great service to our community. But they are the perfect fit as a partner with the River to Sea Preserve and being able to help it become what we want it to be in Flagler County. What the FCT and FDEP would want it to be in Flagler County.

    Marineland (mayor hand picked by the developer) appears to be pushing toward development. Something UF and the Whitney Lab are not going to be for. Something the FCT and FDEP are not going to be for. Jacoby Development is savvy as well. They use all the trigger words to make one think they are for the environment. And I am sure to a point they are. But there is a major difference with in putting up concrete and having a business that can drive on and off.

    Hopefully this evening we can get the Commissioners to consider adding the issue to the agenda to at least discuss contacting Melanie Orozco who is the contact at the FDEP that can help if she wants to. That said...she needs to be shown why. Unfortunately it is not just Ragga that is a compliance issue for the FDEP. They are only an issue from a technicality. But I think the County and Marineland have failed on some areas that have nothing to do with Ragga. If only the red tape could see that Ragga could help solve some of the other compliance issues. But we have to get the meeting!
     
  9. Dec 16, 2024 #29
    QGator2414

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    Update post BOCC…

    I had the opportunity to speak twice tonight to the County Commission. Along with others the support for Ragga was noticed.

    There is some real hope that we will get the FCT in the meeting Thursday that Marineland and the County will be having. If that happens I think we will be able to get some traction for a solution.

    If you had to ask my honest opinion. I think Ragga will be back at the location they are at. But it will take some time. I think they will likely have to survive through some contingency plans. Not a great situation but the support will get them through this extremely difficult time.

    My wife did not want me driving home on 40 in the rain at night with deer and two lanes. So spending the night at our place over here. Had a package for our neighbor at my door so got to chat a few with them. Their daughter just started at UF and is a Dazzler. Her boyfriend works for Ragga. Such a small world and at the same time it truly is amazing how big a little Food Truck has become.

    Thank you for all the support!
     
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  10. Dec 17, 2024 #30
    gaterzfan

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    Thanks for your efforts on behalf of Ragga and keeping us informed. Hey, did you get a chance to "wet a line", last night. I read there were some snook prowling the canals.

     
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  11. Dec 17, 2024 #31
    QGator2414

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    No way I could resist. Even with the rain. No snook but in about 8-10 casts caught one blue fish and two ladyfish.
     
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  12. Dec 23, 2024 #32
    QGator2414

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  13. Dec 23, 2024 #33
    QGator2414

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    Had a great conversation with one of the owners today. I just can’t explain in words what they have created in three short years. They/we will take this speed bump and move past it much faster than it feels!
     
  14. Jan 22, 2025 #34
    QGator2414

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    Ragga has reopened in St Augustine as a pivot for now. I spoke with Jim today and the start has been phenomenal with the support. It sounds like the hope is this will remain as a second location as they continue to work and get back to Marineland.
     
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