DCA reverses Islandside ruling

The Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has found that amendments made to the town’s land development regulations last year in relation to the Longboat Key Club and Resort’s proposed $400 Islandside redevelopment project to be in compliance with its Comprehensive Plan and has filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss the administrative action against the town, Town Attorney David Persson told the Longboat Key Town Commission at its Oct. 3 regular meeting.

The DCA initially determined that non-residential usage and clustering were not allowed. But in August, amendments adopted by the town and approved by the DCA clarified that the non-residential usage and clustering were always intended and permitted for the Gulf-planned developments (GPD) and planned developments (PD) districts under the Comprehensive Plan.

Michael Welly, general manager of the Key Club, said the ruling would help the proposed project move forward.

“We are pleased that the DCA has reversed its ruling after much consideration and a review of the facts and that the amendments the town has adopted to address concerns that were raised have proved satisfactory to move forward with our plans,” Welly said in a prepared statement. “We are looking forward to getting the project under way and bringing new jobs and tax revenues to the town and being the lead project to bring a new vitality to Longboat Key.”

But Robert Lincoln, the attorney representing the Islandside Property Owners Coalition (IPOC) along with the Sanctuary and L’Ambiance condominium associations in their challenges to the project, disagreed on the significance of the ruling.

“Nothing about the decision to dismiss this changes the original determination that the Comprehensive Plan, as it existed in 2010, did not allow condominium and hotel uses in the GPD,” Lincoln said. “I don’t think it has any effect on the claim that the Comprehensive Plan, in 2010, did not allow these uses.”

Lincoln said Tuesday afternoon that he had not yet discussed with his clients what, if any, actions to take based on the ruling.