Dining could reach new heights

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board gave town staff direction at its Tuesday, April 19 regular meeting to make modifications to town code that would allow an additional 5 feet in height for waterfront restaurants only.

Town planner Ric Hartman asked the planning board if it wanted to allow an additional 5 feet in height to all of the town’s commercial zoning districts, but there was only consensus to review a change in height for waterfront restaurants.

Hartman asked for the board’s decision, because it had discussed at a previous meeting that granting Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub an additional 5 feet in height for its already approved second-story expansion would allow for better views of Sarasota Bay.

“Waterfront dining should be given as much flexibility as we can allow to preserve them,” said planning board member Walter Hackett.

Planning board member George Symanski Jr., who has suggested that a special overlay district be created just for waterfront dining, agreed.

“They are jewels we need to protect and allow for flexibility,” Symanski said.

If the planning board approves the proposed code change at its May regular meeting, the Longboat Key Town Commission will then review the proposed change at a later date.

If the change is approved by the planning board and the commission, it will have to be sent to the state’s Department of Community Affairs for final approval as part of a Comprehensive Plan amendment.

The process could take six months or more to complete.

Currently, Mar Vista’s second story was approved for approximately 30 feet, which is the maximum height allowed in the current district.

In January, the Town Commission approved a Mar Vista site plan amendment and a special exception request that allows for a second story, which will act as an open-air, tree-house balcony. The second story, Chiles said, will be the main dining room and blend in with a wooden deck that was built in 2009.

Chiles said he was very pleased with board’s decision and will most likely hold off on constructing the second story in an attempt to acquire the additional height.

If the amendment is approved, Planning, Zoning and Building Director Monica Simpson received direction from the board that Mar Vista would not have to go through the application process again if it were to add an additional 5 feet in height.

“We are willing to wait,” Chiles said. “It’s a great pleasure to see the planning board working to help small businesses, which hasn’t always been the case out here.”

Other waterfront restaurants that would be eligible for additional height if the comp plan amendment is approved are Pattigeorge’s and Dry Dock Waterfront Grill.

Moore’s Stonecrab Restaurant & Marina is not eligible because it’s a grandfathered restaurant that sits on a residential site. Other waterfront dining restaurants, such as The Chart House, sit in a planned development and could only ask for additional height as part of a planned unit development process and application.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected]