News Briefs

+ Town to hold first town center public workshop
The first public workshop for the town center concept and zoning overlay project will take place at 2 p.m. Dec. 18, at Longboat Key Town Hall.

The project is focused on conceptual planning for the area near the intersection of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Bay Isles Parkway that includes Longboat Key Town Hall, the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center and Longboat Library, as well as the new Shoppes of Bay Isles, where Publix is located.

Over the next six to eight months, designers and planners will complete conceptual master plans for three development scenarios with community input. A final master plan will be refined with input from the Longboat Key Town Commission.

+ Arnold Simonsen donates $13,000 to Aging in Paradise
Local philanthropist Arnold Simonsen donated $13,000 to the Aging in Paradise Resource Center (AIPRC). Simonsen, who is part of the AIPRC Leadership Team, designated $5,000 of his gift for a diamond sponsorship of the Jan. 25 Puttin’ on the Glitz fundraiser. The remaining $8,000 will be used for operations.

+ Town hires special counsel for bridge damages claim
The Longboat Key Town Commission approved hiring attorney Philip Hammersley, of Sarasota law firm Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos as special litigation counsel after the town received notice that a contractor plans to seek damages against the town for Longboat Pass Bridge repairs.

Infrastructure Corp. of America (ICA), which contracts with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to maintain the bridge, alleges the town’s contractor, TB Landmark Construction Inc., damaged the structure while replacing a water pipe.

ICA estimates repair costs will exceed $750,000, according to a Nov. 25 letter to the town.

+ Town issues permit for $2 million home
The town issued a $2,172,600 building permit for the vacant residential parcel at 6271 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The permit identifies the property owner as Pavlinebea LLC. Previous plans submitted listed Paulinebea LLC, a Delaware company associated with Michael Kors.

Paulinebea purchased the lot at 6271 Gulf of Mexico Drive and the adjacent property at 6281 Gulf of Mexico Drive for $6 million in November 2013.

In May, the Longboat Observer reported site plans filed with the town showed a 6,100-square-foot home. Michael K. Walker & Associates Inc. is listed as the builder.