Briefs

+ Dredging project currently in limbo

Longboat Key Club Moorings Marina has been trying to dredge an area outside of its channel, which is used by both marina users and Bay Isles homeowners, since December 2005.

Although the town agreed to be a co-applicant with the Key Moorings on the dredge permit last year to avoid a $90,000 fee for a sovereign submerged-lands easement from the state, the state is now taking issue with the fact that the town is a co-applicant but is not paying for any part of the project.

Because the commission would be committed to future dredging, it has agreed to hold off on signing the application until it can discuss the issue at its Thursday, Nov. 19 regular workshop.
 

+ Car burglars hit Longboat Key

Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle announced unknown person(s) entered 21 unlocked vehicles Friday, Oct. 30 on Longboat Key.

Seaplace, 1925 Gulf of Mexico Drive, had two burglaries; Longboat Arms, 3320 Gulf of Mexico Drive, had one burglary; Beach Harbor Club, 3808 Gulf of Mexico, had 10 burglaries; and Bayport Beach and Tennis Club, 3900 Gulf of Mexico Drive, had eight burglaries.

There were numerous items stolen, including wallets, credit cards, cash and GPS devices. Some of these items were recovered outside of the vehicles and are being processed for fingerprints.

“We urge everyone to lock and secure your vehicle when it is parked,” Hogle said. “Do not leave valuable objects in plain sight from the windows.”
 

+ Beach furniture complaint issued

The understaffed Longboat Key Code Enforcement Department is responding to a complaint issued in September about beach furniture that has accumulated at the Gulfside Road public beach access, 6399 Gulfside Road.

Planning, Zoning and Building Director Monica Simpson said the town is working to educate residents about beach furniture being left on town-owned beach property, which is not allowed under town code or state statutes.

“Code enforcement will enforce beach furniture on public beach as lost or abandoned property,” said Simpson, who said abandoned furniture will be tagged for five days before it’s confiscated and stored at Town Hall for 90 days.

Sleepy Lagoon residents, who have left beach furniture at the Gulfside Road beach access for years, were targeted in the complaint. However, Sleepy Lagoon Homeowners Association President Reina Berman said the town should be aware that Sleepy Lagoon residents only account for one-third of the residents in the area who use the Gulfside Road beach access.

For more information, contact Simpson or Code Enforcement Officer Heidi Micale at 316-1966.