Attorney emphasizes Comp Plan changes

In a letter to the Town Commission dated Friday, Sept. 10, Town Attorney David Persson once again stressed the need for amendments to the town of Longboat Key’s Comprehensive Plan.

“A clear, well-thought out comprehensive plan which reflects the goals, objectives and desired policies of 2010 and the town’s desired outcome for development or redevelopment will dramatically assist the town’s staff in providing a land development code which matches the town’s intent as expressed through its comprehensive plan,” Persson wrote. “This will provide property owners and surrounding neighbors with a clear understanding of what can and can’t be constructed or developed within a particular area of town.”

Persson said an amended plan also would “drastically reduce the number of hours necessary for consideration of site-specific zoning applications.

“With such clarity, many, many, many hours of testimony and argument could have been avoided (in regard to the Islandside renovation-and-expansion project application), many hours of staff time would have been unnecessary, and the applicant could have dramatically reduced its costs and expenses associated with its application,” Persson wrote.

Persson is calling for “full and far reaching public discussions with citizens as to their views and vision for the town’s future.”

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].