Harbour Square owner requests referendum

A Longboat Key building is slated for redevelopment, according to a letter sent to Mayor Jack Duncan this week.

The owner of the Harbor Square office plaza has asked for town commissioners to consider a November referendum to allow a residential penthouse on the property. Owner Oscar Parsons said through attorney Charles Ball that he aims to convert the parcel into the new office, residential and marina designation to accommodate the change.

The density won’t exceed three unites per acre, and will eventually be considered for a planned-unit development, said Planning, Zoning and Building Director Alaina Ray in an April 7 letter to town staff.

Keller Williams Realtor Danny Palmer considered buying the property last year with plans for a residential component and restaurant. But in an interview with Longboat Observer this weekend, said he had abandoned that initiative.