The Arranging Fee voted now to endorse acceptance of a pair of programs linked with designs for an 8-story, 170-home hotel on Calle Miramar in Siesta Key Village.
One particular application, an amendment to the county’s unified growth code, seeks to adjust the development evaluation course of action for lodge initiatives countywide by getting rid of limitations on density. The next, a ask for for a unique exception, asks to adjust rules in a commercial part of the Siesta Essential Overlay District to allow hotel building. The exclusive exception software also seeks to maximize the optimum height on the parcel in dilemma from 35 feet to 80 feet.
The proposals drew opposition from a lot more than a dozen Siesta Crucial inhabitants who spoke at today’s assembly, with all those objecting characterizing the challenge as inappropriate for the island and noncompliant with county restrictions. Representatives for the applicant argued the project was suitable with its surroundings and in line with the county’s zoning code and comprehensive prepare, noting county workers proposed acceptance of the programs.
The web page of the proposed hotel, just under a single acre of land at the intersection of Calle Miramar and Seaside Highway, could accommodate 26 models in a a few-story setting up underneath existing laws. Despite the fact that the software seeks an raise in the permissible height and quantity of rooms, the venture team stated county laws enable for a top enhance through specific exception. Bill Merrill, a land use lawyer symbolizing the applicant, stated inns are a fundamentally professional use and therefore must not be matter 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 Beach front Terrace properties south of Siesta Village as proof the eight-tale resort would be appropriate for the environment. And the developer’s reps suggested Siesta Key is in have to have of a lodge, supplied the island’s position as a vacationer destination.
“It blends in with the nature of the Critical,” Klepper said.
Siesta Key inhabitants argued the proposal violated a provision in the county’s in depth system that prohibits advancement on the barrier islands that are a bigger depth and density than benchmarks set up in 1989. The applicant at first sought an modification to the county’s thorough system to get all around that provision, but withdrew that modification in May possibly right after county team decided the growth proposal could move forward without having it.
Speakers at the meeting also reported the lodge was out of scale for the barrier island, calling the venture an overlarge framework that would exacerbate traffic difficulties in the place. While the applicant stated some uses that are by now permitted on the web-site would make additional traffic than the hotel would — a position county workers agreed with — residents remained concerned about congestion.
“This resort is also huge, much too substantial, in the improper spot, does not suit with the surroundings, will trigger significant targeted visitors and parking issues, and overpowers the neighbors,” stated Rose Battles, a resident on Calle Miramar.
The Scheduling Commission voted 5-1 in favor of the proposed unified improvement code software and 4-2 to advocate approval of the particular exception. Justin Taylor opposed equally proposals, stating he was not comfortable with revising the procedure for analyzing hotel proposals in the course of Sarasota.
“I don’t believe I learned ample about what this could do to the whole county,” Taylor explained.
Kevin Cooper joined Taylor in opposing the special exception application. Cooper claimed he felt the proposal subverted the comprehensive strategy provision restricting enhanced density on the barrier islands, and he did not consider the Planning Commission was in a posture to adjust the interpretation of founded county insurance policies.
“I have a hard time having all over stating, ‘Well, let’s not call it density anymore,’” Cooper reported.
A the vast majority of the board was in favor of equally measures, with many commissioners calling a hotel a welcome addition to Siesta Critical. And, in spite of the problems inhabitants expressed about the results of the job, commissioners did not anticipate the resort would meaningfully have an effect on targeted visitors on the island.
“I don’t believe that us approving or disapproving of this is heading to alter the traffic one iota,” commissioner Teresa Mast reported.
The County Commission is scheduled to hold a community listening to on the resort programs on Oct. 27.