Jewfish homeowner runs into constructive criticism

Shortly after beginning construction on his new Jewfish Key home in November, Steve Ellis, president of My Green Buildings, met with Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle and Public Works Director Juan Florensa to work out an agreement. Ellis said that several different companies would be working at the same time on the island, which is part of the town of Longboat Key. Jewfish Key is accessible only by boat, thus, construction could clog up Linley Street in the Longbeach Village, where a town public dock is located. So he agreed that when multiple companies would be working, they would park their vehicles at Coquina Beach and load boats there, then drive to the public dock.

But several Village residents said at their May 5 meeting that construction had blocked Linley.

“There have been times that you couldn’t even drive down that street,” said resident Michael Ross.

On Friday, May 7, residents called police when a contracted company blocked the road and dock with its truck while delivering trees to Jewfish Key. Ellis said that the most recent incident occurred when he left the area, and after being notified he immediately returned to tell workers to move the vehicle.

“We clearly angered some of the local residents, but that was not the intention,” Ellis said.

According to Ellis, some residents think that he could load his equipment onto boats in Cortez because original Jewfish Key owners also received deeded access to Keyway RV Resort, in Cortez. However, Ellis says that is a misconception, because he didn’t buy access to the RV resort when he purchased his lot.

“That is my only access,” Ellis said. “I’m building a home under Longboat Key jurisdiction.”

On Friday, Ellis met with concerned Village residents and spent Saturday morning cleaning up the area that was disturbed during the incident.

In the meantime, there’s good news for both Village residents and for Ellis: His home is in the final phases of construction and is projected for completion by the end of the month.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].