Commission moves forward revised agreements

The majority of the Longboat Key Town Commission agreed at its Thursday, Feb. 18, regular workshop to move forward an open space agreement that would allow the Longboat Key Club and Resort to build a new hotel, two condominium buildings and a meeting center on Islandside property.

At the workshop, the majority of the commission agreed in theory to a revised golf and open space agreement needed to approve the club’s Islandside renovation-and-expansion project.

The agreements, if approved Friday when the Islandside hearing reconvenes at Temple Beth Israel, would allow a hotel and other uses to be built and removes the requirement that a driving range must stay on the Islandside course.

The majority of the commission also agreed guests of the new hotel can play golf on both the Islandside and Harbourside golf courses.

The commission and the club, however, debated for more than three hours a stipulation that Commissioner Hal Lenobel wanted that would halt play if the club broke a tee time agreement among its club members and hotel guests. They also argued over whether a driving range needed to be included on the golf course.
Club attorney Jim Syprett and Key Club General Manager Michael Welly called the requirement of the driving range and the stipulation that halted golf play “deal-breakers.”

“We would walk away if that was required,” Welly told the commission.

Language finally was suggested by Town Attorney David Persson, which wouldn’t allow the town to halt play at its course if an issue arose over golf playing time. If an issue arose, the matter would be left for a judge to decide.

The commission will review the amended agreements and possibly approve them at its 8 a.m. Islandside renovation-and-expansion hearing Friday, Feb. 18. A special hearing at 9 a.m. will begin to discuss the revised agreements Friday.

The commission also approved, at a special meeting, a request by Harry’s Continental Kitchens to have six tables with a maximum of 24 outdoor dining seats on its outdoor patio and a resolution that establishes no parking near the Linley Street boat ramp from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Also at its workshop this afternoon at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, the commission:

Forwarded to its Monday, March 1 regular meeting for first reading:
• An ordinance that amends the regulations of mechanical equipment into one section of the town code.

• An ordinance that amends a portion of the code enforcement code to bring it into consistency with state law.

• And ordinance that amends a town ordinance that created a conflict with an existing town ordinance addressing the anchoring and mooring of boats.

Forwarded to its Monday, March 1 regular meeting for formal action:
• A proposed resolution that provides for a rate decrease for Longboat Key citizens effective April 1 for trash pick-up costs.

• A proposed resolution that would reimburse Longbeach Village $2,400 to relocate peacocks.

• A proposed resolution that would establish a no-parking area adjacent to the entrance and exit areas of Town Hall.

Directed:
• The town manager and the police chief to continue its investigation of a license plate recognition system that could be used on Longboat Key to help reduce crime.

• The town manager to look into a proposal presented by Commissioner Gene Jaleski that could potentially bring an alternative communication service to the island that combines Internet, television, phone and Wi-Fi technology services.

Appointed :
• Vice Mayor Robert Siekmann to serve as a liaison to the West Coast Inland Navigation District.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].