Town staff 'cannot recommend' OK of project

Planning, Zoning and Building Director Monica Simpson issued an Islandside staff report Friday, Oct. 9, that said town staff “cannot recommend” approval of the $400 million Longboat Key Club and Resort’s Islandside Outline Development Plan (ODP) request.

Simpson reports in her findings of fact that the proposed development is not consistent with the town’s Comprehensive Plan as it pertains to traffic impacts and, possibly, recreation facilities in regard to the removal of Islandside tennis courts.

The report also states “the proposed redevelopment plan does not provide adequate control over vehicular traffic and parking” and that the applicant has not adequately justified the need for all of the requested departures.

Michael Welly, general manager of the Longboat Key Club and Resort, said Monday he and the club’s development attorneys are not alarmed by Simpson’s report and recommendations.

“The differences between Monica Simpson’s memorandum and the club’s application are not nearly as serious as it may appear upon a casual reading of the report,” Welly told The Longboat Observer. “When corrections and clarifications are made and additional information is provided by the club to Ms. Simpson and the board, we believe the planning and zoning board will find overwhelming evidence that it should approve the club’s application for redevelopment as being both in the public interest and necessary for the economic vitality of Longboat Key now and for decades to come.”

Welly also said the club rejects Simpson’s suggestion that it consider continuing an Oct. 21 public hearing.

“The club believes that a continuance of hearings, which have been planned for months, would not be fair to anyone, and, therefore, the club will not request a continuance.”

To see the staff report, visit www.longboatkey.org.

The Planning and Zoning Board will consider the club’s project request at public hearings at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22, at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road.

For more information about the town’s decision, pick up a copy of the Thursday, Oct. 15 Longboat Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].