P&Z staff details concerns about Publix design, access

The Sept. 13 plan submitted by the Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. includes more gathering space and fewer parking spaces than its original proposal. It also includes various enhancements, such as landscape enhancements and an improved pedestrian plan.

But many concerns remain about the project, according to a Sept. 27 Longboat Key Planning, Zoning & Building Department review of the Outline Development Plan and Site Plan Amendment pre-application conference.

According to the review, the general site plan has not changed, “so staff still has concerns that the design and orientation of the structures is not consistent with the town’s current discussions for the area and the lands near and around the site.”

The review states that architectural details have “been changed to improve the design of the buildings from all sides, but staff still has concerns about whether the mass and scale of both the CVS and Publix structure are appropriate to the site and Longboat Key.”

Staff is still concerned by the proposed vehicle-access plan, pedestrian walks, bike lanes and off-street parking. Publix will need to provide information about the number of employees and number and type of vehicles that will be owned by the establishment at its next pre-application conference.

Although Publix eliminated four of five previously requested departures, leaving only a request for a code provision that would allow parking to encroach on the 20-foot street-yard buffer required by town codes, staff currently is not able to recommend approval of the departure.

“With the excessive number of off-street parking spaces being proposed, staff cannot identify a need for this departure as there is ample ability for changes of the proposed parking lot design,” the review states.

Other concerns include the design of the loading area near CVS, which, according to staff, could adversely impact traffic access in the area and a proposed sign that exceeds the maximum size allowed by town codes. P&Z staff also suggests “the total elimination of a number of parking lanes” to enhance pedestrian and vehicle safety. Comments also include concerns about a CVS drive-thru that, according to the review, “disrupts access from existing GMD cut through and pedestrian access from Publix-retail strip.”

Shannon Patten, spokeswoman for Publix, could not be reached for comment.