Key Club submits gatehouse proposal

Longboat Key Club and Resort General Manager Michael Welly submitted a proposal Wednesday, March 31, to relocate the Islandside gatehouse on Longboat Club Road from its current location approximately 165 feet to the west.

But the Longboat Key Association, which owns and supervises Longboat Club Road, chose not to discuss the proposal at a Friday, April 2 meeting.

Welly sent the proposal to the presidents of all the Islandside condominium associations and the Longboat Key Association.

The proposal, Welly stated in his e-mail, will allow the gatehouse to remain within the road’s right of way.

Wrote Welly: “Although the club maintains that the present location of the gatehouse is acceptable, there is a consensus between the town, the club and the Longboat Key Association that it would be preferable to relocate the gatehouse to the west.”

Agreeing to the proposal, Welly wrote, would not constitute approval of the club’s $400 million Islandside renovation-and-expansion project.

“Rather, it will only take effect if the town approves the redevelopment plan, and it will represent one of several improvements that will enhance Longboat Club Road and facilitate traffic flow,” Welly wrote.

The club, Welly said, has agreed to fund the costs associated with the relocation, including the design and construction of the new gatehouse.

The club, however, gave the association until Monday, April 5 to make a decision on the proposal.
But Bob Goodman, president of the Longboat Key Association, said his board needs more time to review the proposal.

“We hope to review the proposal in the next two to three weeks,” Goodman said.

Welly said he will allow the association more time to review the proposal.

Contact Kurt Schulteis at [email protected].