Colony referendum highlights candidate forum

It didn’t take long for four men vying for two positions on the Town Commission to address “the elephant in the room” at a candidate forum Monday at Bayfront Park’s recreation center.

The Colony. The Colony. The Colony.

Longboat Observer Publisher Emily Walsh, who moderated the forum presented by the newspaper, wasted no time in asking how the candidates intend to vote on the looming density referendum.

In their answers, the dynamic between the two sets of candidates was similar: one was direct while the other proceeded with caution.

Gene Jaleski, running for the At-Large seat currently held by Vice Mayor Phill Younger, said he will vote no on the referendum, as well as any future density expansion on the Key regarding tourism.

“Tourism, which had an important role 20 or 30 years ago, is less important to us now,” Jaleski said.

Jim Brown, Jaleski’s opponent, prefaced his answer with a caveat, which had been shared with every Town Commission candidate.

“The Town Attorney has advised us to be very careful in saying anything about this subject,” Brown said, noting the town has been threatened with lawsuits.

However, Brown, who serves as Chairman of the Key’s Planning and Zoning Board, said he’s worked to maintain the residential character of the town through means like density restrictions, and he will “never vote for anything that violates our codes.”

Jack Daly, who is aiming to retain his District 4 seat, also followed the advice to tread lightly. He remarked that, from what he’s gathered, the majority of Key residents do not support Unicorp National Developments President Chuck Whittall’s plan for the property.

Like Jaleski, Larry Grossman, Daly’s opponent, said he will vote no on the referendum, adding that he’s “not trying to bring Sarasota to Longboat Key.” He also criticized the commission for not being proactive about what should become of the former Colony property after it was shuttered more than six years ago.

“Has the commission done anything to create a vision for what the town of Longboat Key would like to see on the site?” Grossman asked.

While Grossman said he’s opposed to referendums being used as a means to approve or disapprove density expansion on the Key, Daly said he’s in favor of the process.

“It’s a way to get a sense of the community on any change in density,” Daly said.

Regarding what the candidates think of Whittall’s lower density proposal, which the developer announced last week, Brown recalled Saturday’s Condo Federation meeting, where Brown laid out the town’s zoning codes, which led to a discussion with Whittall.

According to Brown, Whittall spoke of how lobbies should have 20 to 25 foot high ceilings, so the developer believes height restrictions should be story-based rather than foot-based.

“Does that mean he thinks other stories should be more than the normal 10 or 12 feet?” Brown asked.

“You could end up with an eight story building that’s 120 feet tall,” he added. “It would be massive.”

Jaleski used the opportunity to tell the audience he has “serious questions” about how the town’s zoning codes are currently written, concerning aspects like height, noting structures can be higher than 65 feet when parking garages and parapets are considered.

“When you’re talking about a 65 foot building, you’re really talking about an 85 foot building,” Jaleski said.

After formal questioning was completed, the 50-or-so residents on hand got their chance to address the candidates.

The last question of the evening came from Key resident Lenny Landau. He asked the candidates if they believe properties, like the Colony or anywhere else on the Key, need a residential aspect to be financially viable.

“My answer would be no,” Daly said, while acknowledging that high-end condominiums on the Key are particularly lucrative for developers.

Grossman agreed with his opponent about the idea that residential is not necessary, adding that he’s concerned Whittall’s plan will betray what made the original resort a special destination.

“I think we need to avoid that because I feel we’re a special place,” he said. “I don’t want something that looks like it could be anywhere else.”