Don’t allow duplex expansion
The city commission in Anna Maria is proposing to allow duplexes in our residential district to expand. I very strongly oppose this action. I do not oppose duplexes to be able to rebuild or do repairs to maintain their current size. The majority of our duplexes are two-bedroom, one or two bath, single-story structures occupied by small families with long term leases. For years, these units have been an important part of the fabric of our city and I want to see them remain so. In my opinion, expansion will have a negative impact on the character of our city and the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Investors will be able to expand these units, change them to short term rentals and sell them as condominiums with multiple ownerships. The end result is the investors will make money and the city will see an increase in intensity of use and the loss of an important part of our character. Yes I'm a Norman Rockwell/Andy Griffith kind of a guy, but heck, I grew up in Anna Maria. I still love our city today, but it used to be better. I'll never understand why people move here, love it and then want to change it like it was back home (the place they left to move here - why did they move?) Incrementalism is slow and only one way. Those who want to protect our quality of life, lose it one small piece at a time and never get it back. One of my customers today said, as we were looking at the back of his property in Holmes Beach with three new 37-foot duplexes, "This isn't the city we fell in love with." I urge our residents to pay attention to this issue and voice your opinion to the city commission and administration. Sometimes we forget; your government works for you, is accountable to you, and you are in charge.
Dale Woodland
Anna Maria
