Maybe I am just plain distrustful. And maybe the newly formed Anna Maria Island Heritage Society would have a little more credibility if it wasn't backed by PAR - a developer. (How many Historic Societies does one small City need anyway?)
I also saw the original plans for the planned hotel/motel on North Bay Boulevard. These plans showed a footbridge passing from the Anglers Lodge to the hotel/motel. Why? Because they need additional parking for the hotel/motel which they can get at the Anglers Lodge.
So in my opinion this is just another 'back door' attempt to move development forward slowly for the hotel/motel which I am absolutely sure has not gone away totally. So what do they do first? They need to get a change of zoning and in this weeks' Sun lo and behold a big article pushing for just that. The parking they need for the hotel is impossible with a property zoned residential but if they can get it changed to ROR or even PSP I have no doubt the doors will open for them to use the site for parking. ( The Waterfront currently lease parking places from the City so there will be nothing to stop PAR doing the same thing for their hotel).
And what does that mean for the residents of Lake View Drive? With the Anglers Lodge situated at the end of Lake View Drive it means a great deal more traffic and loss of the peace and quiet we currently enjoy on that street.
The 'entire community' does not need a place for 'soirees and wine tastings' bang in the middle of the residential area and I strongly appeal to all residents to step up and knock this on the head right now - even if you do not live on Lake View Drive think about where this is heading ie whether their motives really are about preserving this building or whether there is something else behind this. Can we take the chance? I urge P & Z members and Commissioners to think very carefully about the implications before they change the residential zoning of this property.
This is yet another change that I can see being of no benefit to residents of the City - if we want to go and taste wine there are plenty of wine tastings available on the Island and in the appropriate places.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A Partial Victory for Preservation
Below is a story from this week's Islander about the discussion at last Thursday's commission work session about duplex expansion in Anna Maria. Thanks to your emails and letters to Commissioners, we've partially won another battle against development interests. At least, we've got their attention.
However, similar to the guesthouse/motel/inn situation and the issue of Coleman on the P&Z board, everything is still on the table and must be watched oh so closely.
Many ask, "Where are all these assaults on our legacy, our peace and quiet, coming from? Who is behind it all?" The Islander story below makes it pretty clear. I just can't understand why they are so hell bent on changing the character of our city (after promising to preserve it!).
In 1971, a gutsy group of elected officials, literally under threats, removed the "multi-family" designation from 100% of our shoreline and restricted the heights of our dwellings. Since then, generations of concerned citizens put up whatever fight was necessary to hang on to what we've got. But never have we experienced a full-frontal assault like the one we're fighting now. And it's from within our own ranks of elected officials. Ironically, much is in the name of "preservation." These people are totally clueless as to where the real value in our city lies--as in what Anna Maria is NOW, not in how much money there is to squeeze out of its ruination.
The upcoming November election will hopefully feature a candidate or candidates who will do more than pay lip service to preserving Anna Maria. Whomever that may be will need all the support you personally can provide--on foot, by word of mouth, and, yes, from your wallet. The developer coalition is strong, monied, and they're on a mission to profit from turning our city into another Holmes or Bradenton Beach.
What can you do now? Expansion of duplexes is back before the Commission's August work session. Let them know between now and then: No duplex expansions. Repairs, yes. Rebuilding on the current footprint in the event of a disaster (current law), yes. [Send your emails to: amclerk@cityofannamaria.com. Request copies to all commissioners, and Planning and Zoning Board members.]
To conclude, here's some good news: A prominent Anna Marian called me this morning, one whom I respect very much. He wanted to share how refreshing it is that so many people are more aware now of what's going on, getting involved in the process, and expressing their passion about our future to our elected officials. He concluded with his hope that this is a sign that more will be motivated to vigorously support any opponents of the PARtners (play on words intended) in the upcoming elections.
To be continued....
Duke
PS: the notes in brackets [ ] below are my comments.
Anna Maria studies limited duplex expansion
Faced with mounting opposition to a proposed Anna Maria ordinance to allow duplexes the right to fully expand, city commissioners at their July 9 meeting reached consensus to study expansion on a limited basis.
City planner Alan Garrett said only about 65 duplexes exist in the city’s Residential-1 zoning district.
Commissioners rejected a proposal to allow the duplexes the right to fully expand, but agreed that some expansion on a “one-time, limited basis” be considered.
Commissioner Chuck Webb argued that duplex owners should have the right to “maintain what they have.”
Commission Chairman John Quam countered that allowing full expansion of duplexes would “increase density and intensity” of such structures in the city.
Better to leave duplexes as a permitted use in the R-1 district, allow re-roofing and the right to rebuild to the original footprint in the event of a natural disaster, he said.
Commissioner Jo Ann Mattick said that with only 65 duplexes it’s “not a big deal” for the city to allow some expansion. [This is the same Commissioner that wanted to build a public "pocket park" half way up North Shore Drive in the middle of a residential neighborhood! Oh, and how many duplexes does it take to "make it a big deal?"]
Commissioner Christine Tollette pointed out that when commissioners at their March 26 meeting combined the Residential-2 zone with the Residential-1 zone, this made duplexes a permitted use and allows expansion. [She is dead wrong, here. Why would you eliminate R-2 zoning then allow the duplexes to expand? This rates a "duh!"]
According to building official Bob Welch, however, no duplex owners have applied for a permit to expand the structure.
Commissioners favored allowing duplexes some expansion on a one-time basis. [No, no, no!]
Garrett said he would study all possibilities for limited expansion and bring back a range of proposals to the August commission work session.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Duplex Expansions?!
I am dismayed and confused - why are we talking about expanding duplexes when our comp plan just eliminated the ability to build new ones. There's a reason we didn't want more duplexes so it stands to reason we wouldn't want to expand existing ones. I have first hand experience living next door to a large, duplex rental. It's no paradise and I wouldn't wish it upon other residents of Anna Maria. You really have to wonder where this request is coming from. I thought the Commission elected by the people would protect the interests of its people. This doesn't jive.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Letter to the Editor from The Sun. Dale needs your help!
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
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