Today's paper | eEdition | Subscribe
The Truth-O-Meter
Latest print edition
St. Petersburg Times
Special report
Video report
Multimedia report
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Your name Your email
Recipient email
You may enter up to 20 multiple email addresses, separated by commas.
Your message

Clearwater City Council rejects Sand Key zoning proposal

By Mike Donila, Times staff writer
Posted: Mar 21, 2008 08:51 AM


Shoppes on Sand Key looking north from the entrance.
Shoppes on Sand Key looking north from the entrance.
[BILL SERNE | Times]
Social Bookmarking
Digg Facebook Stumbleupon
Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine
ADVERTISEMENT

CLEARWATER -- About 350 residents jammed City Hall tonight, urging local leaders to reject a zoning request that could potentially lead to the replacement of a small Sand Key strip mall with a 100-foot-tall hotel.

In a 4-1 vote, the City Council sided with opponents, but hinted to the cheering crowd that the vote was potentially taking away the land owner's property rights and acknowledging that a lawsuit against the city is possible. At issue was a request to assign a zoning designation to the Shoppes on Sand Key, a popular 3-acre shopping center about a half-mile south of the Clearwater Pass Bridge.

Attorneys for the Shoppes say the owner has no plans to redevelop the property now, but for months rumors have flown that the stores would be torn down and replaced with a hotel.

In February, the land owner, a Clearwater real estate group called D.A. Bennett Co. wanted the zoning changed to "tourist," which would allow at least a 100-foot-tall hotel. The land was previously zoned "business," but the designation expired last year.

Throughout the more than three-hour-meeting, residents pleaded with the council, saying the “tourist” zoning would destroy their quality of life, increase traffic and take away the one place on the barrier island where they can shop and grab a bite to eat.

They said they live in a residential area -– not a tourist district -– and the council should keep the island’s character the way it is.

Council members said they struggled over the decision because the tourist designation is the only applicable zoning designation that can be assigned to the property under current city development code. In the end, though, most agreed with the residents that the tourist zoning conflicted with the area’s character. “They came in with an open mind and were able to apply common sense to the situation and we’re very pleased,” said Jo Ellen Farnham, a Sand Key resident who helped lead and coordinate the opposition.

After the meeting, the two attorneys for D.A. Bennett Co said they’d know more in the next day or so about whether they would pursue legal action.

The city violated its own statues and every council member admitted it,” Clearwater attorney Paul Raymond said. “Right now we’re not sure what we’ll do about it.”

Carlen Petersen, the lone dissenting vote on the council, said she was "uncomfortable with knowingly voting against something not supported by current code."



[Last modified: Mar 24, 2008 10:49 AM]



Comments on this article
by John Mar 24, 2008 10:49 AM
It's always a good thing when ordinary citizens win a land use decision over a developer. Developers have devastated our state and left us holding the tax bag.
by Bobby Mar 24, 2008 10:49 AM
Is anyone surprised about Carlen's vote....the only thing she supports and votes for are the Scientologist demon society.
by Todd Mar 24, 2008 10:49 AM
Sand Key is not a tourist area. Two hotels pale in comparison to the amount of residential condo units on the small strip of land. As for what is best for Clearwater and cost of litigation, the residents of Sand Key pay 17% of all Clearwater
by Nice Work Mar 21, 2008 6:16 PM
What can you get at the shopes there? beach towels,sunglass etc. who is that geared towards? TOURISTS! One restaurant is out of Biz, looks like it was used by the Sand Key Residents alot. Nice job Council go against the City Dev Code..whats next?
by David Mar 21, 2008 3:09 PM
Is the massive Marriott hotel right next door? Sorry folks, your little strip of land is already a tourist area. I'm always happy when the tourists go home after easter, but we do need their money!!!
by CM Mar 21, 2008 3:06 PM
Do we not have enough vacant condo and hotel rooms already? I say "Let the shops stay!"
by Paisa el Toro Mar 21, 2008 1:22 PM
People need to stop with the NIMBY mentality and do what's best for the City of Clearwater. Hopefully, the 350 Sand Key residents realize that they just helped increase taxes by potentially pushing Clearwater into expensive litigation.
by JH Skyscrapercity Mar 21, 2008 1:17 PM
Hopefully there is a log, so the city knows which citizens to bill for the inevitable legal fees wrought by this. How can this council stay in office when they're kowtowing to NIMBYs, knowing that it will spur a costly lawsuit? They're inco
by LOGIC Mar 21, 2008 10:23 AM
There are already two hotels in the immediate area, it is already a tourist area. They can keep some shops and restaurants and have hotel rooms above, the fact is we need more tourist dollars.
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.

Email Newsletters

ADVERTISEMENT

 
ADVERTISEMENT