Town Provides Consultant Draft Questions

Town staff has presented the Longboat Key Town Commission with a list of nine draft questions it crafted this week for a consultant that’s in charge of using the questions to map the town’s future.

The questions were formulated after receiving direction from a working group that met Monday to come up with a list of no more than 12 questions for the Washington, D.C.-based The Urban Land Institute (ULI) to eventually help answer for the town this fall as it works to revamp its codes and Comprehensive Plan.

The working group will review the following questions at a 2 p.m. Friday, June 14 meeting at Town Hall:

1. Who will be the likely future residents and visitors of Longboat Key (age, retired/families, full-time/part-time, etc.)? How do we target and attract those who are most likely to help Longboat Key remain a viable premier residential and visitor destination?

2. Longboat Key has an adopted Vision Plan. How realistic is it and does it contain the appropriate elements to help ensure that Longboat Key remains a premier residential and visitor destination? Which elements work or do not work and why? What recommendations can be made to ensure the plan is relevant to future residents and visitors and how do we measure our progress?

3. Longboat Key currently has a mix of residential, commercial and tourism uses. What should be the ideal mix of residential, commercial and tourism uses to assure Longboat Key’s status as a premier residential and visitor destination?

4. Much of the building stock on Longboat Key is approaching an age where updating or replacing is being considered. How should the town encourage redevelopment to make properties attractive for the future?

5. Are there enough differences in the north, mid and south Key areas of the town to warrant separate planning efforts? If so, what would be the primary elements of those plans?

6. What challenges should the town be aware of that are likely to influence our future and how can the Town prepare for them?

i.e.:
• Market forces
• Changes in retiree expectations
• Demographics
• Recreational trends
• Visitor expectations
• Etc.

7. What innovations or creative approaches are other similar communities developing to address challenges in community infrastructure that could be applied on Longboat Key?

Key areas:
• Natural systems
• Technology
• Waterfront/Water related
• Arts and culture
• Medical Services

8. What are Longboat Key’s most important assets? How should we protect, enhance and leverage those to make a better community in the future? What might we gain or give up when leveraging those assets?

9. How important is the concept of a “Town Center” to similar successful communities? If important, what would be the best attributes of a Longboat Key Town Center and where would be the best location for it to be successful?

For more information, pick up a Thursday, June 20 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].