Delve into 12: Key Club

The Longboat Key Club and Resort unveiled its Islandside renovation project in April 2008 with plans for the final phase of construction to begin in early 2012. But with legal battles ongoing, ground hasn’t been broken yet on the project — and it’s clear that won’t be how the Key Club rings in the new year.

At the start of 2012, Judge Charles E. Roberts dealt a blow to the project, granting the Islandside Property Owners Coalition (IPOC) and L’Ambiance and Sanctuary associations a writ of certiorari in their challenge of a development order related to the Longboat Key Club and Resort’s proposed $400 million redevelopment-and-expansion plan.

In a 19-page ruling, Roberts wrote that the commission “departed from the essential requirements of law in approving the Development Order” and that the commission’s “departures from the requirements of the Zoning Code infringed on Petitioners’ legitimate expectations under the Zoning Code and constituted a miscarriage of justice.”

Now, two courses are possible: The Key Club and town could appeal the ruling. Or the town could amend its code to clarify the uses allowed. Both courses could also be pursued at the same time.

“Roberts’ ruling does underscore the need for the town to review and amend Zoning Codes that do not clearly represent the town’s intentions,” said Michael Welly, general manager of the Key Club, in a Jan. 3 prepared statement.

The Key Club’s statement said that the ruling “is a disappointing setback for the community, the town and the club.”

“The vitality and vibrancy of the community is tied to planned development that will offer employment opportunities, tax dollars for community services and increased value to real estate,” it said.

But IPOC President Bob White criticized discussions of revising the town’s code as an attempt to further liberalize regulations to bring “massive development” to the Key.

“I don’t think the citizens of Longboat Key are going to stand for that,” he said.

In the meantime, IPOC’s challenge of the project in which it seeks a de novo, or new, review of the case remains pending before Sarasota 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Lee E. Haworth. Arguments have not yet been scheduled in the case, but at a Jan. 3 hearing, Haworth asked for more information, including the town’s zoning code, the order approved and maps of areas affected. Haworth told the parties that he would then hold an informal, half-day hearing to familiarize himself with the case.

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