The Planning Commission voted these days to advise acceptance of a pair of applications associated with programs for an eight-story, 170-place lodge on Calle Miramar in Siesta Key Village.
Just one application, an modification to the county’s unified progress code, seeks to change the progress review procedure for hotel assignments countywide by getting rid of boundaries on density. The second, a request for a unique exception, asks to modify regulations in a professional part of the Siesta Critical Overlay District to allow hotel development. The exclusive exception software also seeks to enhance the most top on the parcel in dilemma from 35 ft to 80 toes.
The proposals drew opposition from far more than a dozen Siesta Key residents who spoke at today’s conference, with those people objecting characterizing the challenge as inappropriate for the island and noncompliant with county regulations. Associates for the applicant argued the project was appropriate with its environment and in line with the county’s zoning code and thorough program, noting county employees advised acceptance of the apps.
The web page of the proposed lodge, just underneath a person acre of land at the intersection of Calle Miramar and Beach Highway, could accommodate 26 units in a 3-tale constructing beneath existing laws. Although the application seeks an improve in the permissible top and amount of rooms, the challenge crew stated county laws permit for a peak improve by using specific exception. Bill Merrill, a land use attorney representing the applicant, claimed resorts are a essentially professional use and for that reason ought to not be issue to residential density limitations.
Merrill and Kelley Klepper, a vice president at Kimley-Horn, pointed to the nearby 12- and 17-tale Terrace East and Seaside Terrace structures south of Siesta Village as evidence the eight-story resort would be acceptable for the environment. And the developer’s representatives suggested Siesta Critical is in need to have of a resort, presented the island’s status as a tourist place.
“It blends in with the nature of the Essential,” Klepper stated.
Siesta Important people argued the proposal violated a provision in the county’s thorough plan that prohibits enhancement on the barrier islands that are a greater intensity and density than criteria founded in 1989. The applicant initially sought an modification to the county’s in depth approach to get close to that provision, but withdrew that amendment in May perhaps following county employees decided the progress proposal could commence with no it.
Speakers at the meeting also said the lodge was out of scale for the barrier island, contacting the task an overlarge composition that would exacerbate website traffic issues in the area. Even though the applicant said some works by using that are currently permitted on the web site would make more site visitors than the lodge would — a point county staff members agreed with — residents remained anxious about congestion.
“This lodge is as well massive, as well large, in the incorrect position, does not fit with the environment, will result in key website traffic and parking challenges, and overpowers the neighbors,” mentioned Rose Battles, a resident on Calle Miramar.
The Arranging Commission voted 5-1 in favor of the proposed unified development code software and 4-2 to advise approval of the exclusive exception. Justin Taylor opposed both equally proposals, stating he was not at ease with revising the system for assessing lodge proposals throughout Sarasota.
“I don’t believe I learned enough about what this could do to the whole county,” Taylor claimed.
Kevin Cooper joined Taylor in opposing the particular exception application. Cooper claimed he felt the proposal subverted the detailed approach provision restricting enhanced density on the barrier islands, and he did not feel the Organizing Commission was in a place to alter the interpretation of proven county insurance policies.
“I have a really hard time finding all over stating, ‘Well, let’s not call it density any more,’” Cooper stated.
A the vast majority of the board was in favor of both equally steps, with numerous commissioners calling a hotel a welcome addition to Siesta Vital. And, even with the fears citizens expressed about the effects of the job, commissioners did not anticipate the resort would meaningfully have an impact on targeted traffic on the island.
“I don’t imagine that us approving or disapproving of this is going to alter the site visitors 1 iota,” commissioner Teresa Mast mentioned.
The County Commission is scheduled to maintain a public hearing on the lodge purposes on Oct. 27.
