Commission approves Rooks property site plan

The Longboat Key Town Commission voted 6-0 to approve a site-plan amendment application for Town Plaza Phase II, submitted by owner W. Howard Rooks, to maintain the property’s 6,206-square-foot commercial building and 89 off-street parking spaces on a 2.01-acre site at its Monday, April 2 regular meeting. The building was home to Mattison’s Steakhouse at the Plaza, which closed in 2008. The property was part of a 3.53-acre site until last month, when the Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. purchased a 1.52-acre tract from Rooks for $1.25 million. Commissioner Hal Lenobel was not in attendance at Monday’s meeting.

Also at the meeting, the commission:

• Presented retiring Building Official John Fernandez with an award in recognition of his 16 years of service to the town;

• Adopted on first reading amendments to the Capital Improvement Element of the town’s Comprehensive Plan.

For more information, pick up an April 5 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].