Hilton reserves date with P&Z

The Planning and Zoning Board will review a site-plan amendment for the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort at its 9 a.m. Dec. 17 meeting. The amendment asks for 85 of the town’s 250 tourism-unit pool as part of a $24 million renovation-and-expansion project.

Delray Beach-based Ocean Properties Ltd., owner of the Hilton and the Resort at Longboat Key Club, Lido Beach Resort and Lido Beach Holiday Inn, submitted a site-plan application in September for its long-anticipated project.

If approved, the Hilton will be the first applicant to take advantage of the town-wide 250 tourism-unit pool that voters approved in 2008.

The site-plan application submitted Sept. 4 calls for redeveloping existing Hilton buildings and the 102 rooms that currently sit on the site, while building a new tower where the 85 additional units would be located.

The application states: “The Longboat Key hotel must be completely redeveloped and modernized to attract the affluent, upscale visitors that historically supported the local economy of Longboat Key.”
Pending approval, the project could begin in the first or second quarter.

Town Manager Dave Bullock and town planning staff worked with Hilton project engineers throughout the summer. The application as submitted doesn’t require departures from town codes.

Earlier this year, the commission approved an ordinance that modifies the outline development process (ODP) that distributes the pool of 250 tourism units. And in May, Planning and Zoning Board members reviewed code and Comprehensive Plan changes that now allow the Hilton to seek a fifth floor and an additional 15 feet in height as part of its project through the site-plan process. The changes also allow the Hilton to request to redevelop through the site-plan process.

Extreme makeover
A site plan submitted to Town Hall last week for a Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort renovation-and expansion project states:

“The Longboat Key hotel must be completely redeveloped and modernized to attract the affluent, upscale visitors that historically supported the local economy of Longboat Key. All of the existing buildings and facilities will be demolished with the exception of the five-story hotel tower on the north side, which shall be refurbished with completely renovated guestrooms and rebuilt infrastructure. The resort will include a new five-story south tower to complement the existing north tower, providing a total of 187 guest rooms supported by an expansive, 165-seat restaurant offering gorgeous, second-story views of the beach and a beautifully redesigned pool area. In addition, 3,000 square feet of meeting space is integrated within the same building as the restaurant and other staff services to provide outstanding support for expanded business retreats and conferences. The revitalization will reposition the property as one of the most outstanding destination beach resorts in Southwest Florida.”

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected]