Goodwill still searching for Key location

Goodwill Manasota Inc. may not be coming to the former Longbeach Chevron gas station on the north end of Longboat Key but it wants a presence somewhere on the island. 

Three weeks ago, Goodwill backed out of a contract to purchase the former gas station property that’s been vacant since 2007.

Now, the company seeks a zoning determination for a future drop-off location location somewhere else on the island.

In the letter, Goodwill Attorney Scott Rudacille notes the town’s code already allows for “commercial uses or other uses similarly requiring the receipt or distribution by vehicles of material or merchandise regarding off-street loading."

“Thus the town has already recognized that commercial uses necessarily require the receipt or distribution of materials,” Rudacille states in the letter.

In an April 10 letter to Planning, Zoning and Building Director Alaina Ray, Rudacille asks for a zoning determination from a town planner as to whether the donation drop-off component is considered an allowable accessory use under the town’s code. 

Town Planner Maika Arnold has been assigned to make a zoning determination on the request in the next seven to 10 days. 

For more information, pick up a copy of next week's Longboat Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].