Simpson: Islandside project results in overdevelopment

Planning, Zoning and Building Director Monica Simpson told the Longboat Key Town Commission Monday, June 7, that the Longboat Key Club and Resort’s $400 million Islandside renovation-and-expansion project is not a cohesive development site and “too drastically” departs from the town’s zoning code.

When the Islandside hearing resumed Monday at Temple Beth Israel, Simpson gave a presentation that reviewed the application and the 21 departures the club is requesting.

Said Simpson: “I have no objection principally in the general mix of land uses being proposed. But the magnitude of land uses causes me some concern.”

Town special counsel attorney Nancy Stroud made the next presentation, warning the Town Commission that Simpson’s testimony should be given “great weight” when considering the project.

“I would advise that if there is competing evidence or interpretation of the code, you really should remember the courts will give greater weight to the staff’s interpretation because the director is considered an expert in the code,” Stroud said.

For more information on Monday’s hearing, pick up a copy of the Thursday, June 10, edition of The Longboat Observer and check for updates on www.YourObserver.com.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].