Observer updates

+ Tree code still remains
in the planning stage
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board asked planning staff at its Tuesday, May 19 regular meeting to bring an enforceable and more easily understood draft of its current tree-code ordinance in September for its review.

The planning board spent more than an hour-and-a-half reviewing a modified version of the existing tree code.

But, newly appointed Chairwoman B.J. Webb said the ordinance is still too confusing, while Vice Chairman Allen Hixon continued to urge the board to consider incorporating portions of the code into the town’s site-plan approval process.

It’s been more than a year since the Town Commission dismissed an alternate code by a tree subcommittee and more than three years since discussions about the tree code have been ongoing at Town Hall.
The planning board hopes a simpler code, combined with a tree-education program, can be reviewed this fall when more residents can review the code at public hearings.

+ Sign code under review
At its Tuesday, May 19 regular meeting, the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board asked its planning staff to come back with proposed revisions to the sign code for review.

Specifically, planning staff will come back in September with modifications to portable signs and political signs. The planning board also hopes to hold discussions with shopping-center owners regarding the problems they face with the sign code.

The planning board made the requests after holding two public hearings regarding a review of the town’s sign code, which was first implemented in 1995.

Residents, real-estate agents and business owners were invited to the podium to express their views on the code, which was scrutinized this spring when town officials swiped campaign signs from the rights of way and forced real-estate signs to be pushed back on certain properties, per town code requirements.