Many Longbeach Village residents oppose new Mar Vista plan

Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub owner Ed Chiles submitted a new plan a week-and-a-half ago that eliminated a controversial plan to restore the historic Rufus P. Jordan House but seeks to proceed with building a tree house and adding 11 seats to the restaurant.

But residents of the surrounding Longbeach Village, who complained about noise and parking problems when Chiles sought to add meeting space to the Jordan House, are still concerned about the revised plan.

Thirty-three residents signed a June 10 letter to the Longboat Key Town Commission, Planning and Zoning Board and town officials opposing the expansion.

The letter states:
“Please see first hand the existing congestion and impact in peak season. The village cannot tolerate the patrons the Mar Vista has at present – more is unreasonable. In addition, please go back in time and rescind prior inappropriate growth and waivers that have been granted.”

The planning board will discuss the application at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

“We are ready to start a dialogue with residents about it,” Chiles told the commission at last Monday’s meeting. “We are ready to work with you on any parking issues.”

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].