HOLMES BEACH – The owner of a former bank property is seeking to have his property rezoned to allow for a more intense commercial use, but commissioners aren’t sure it’s in the best interests of the city to grant it.
Bob Bolus, owner of 699 Manatee Ave., and engineer Paul Blackketter appeared before commissioners during a recent work session to discuss an application to rezone the property from C-1 to C-2. Formerly a Bank of America branch, the building has been vacant for several years and has been offered for sale for much of that time.
Due to its C-1 commercial zoning, the property can only be used for a low-intensity venture, such as office space. Bolus said that he plans to keep the property but would like to have the allowable intensity increased to C-2.
If approved by commissioners, a C-2 rezone would allow for a restaurant, retail shop or less-intense office use on the property.
With the COVID-19 pandemic making work-from-home positions favorable for employees and business owners, he said he doesn’t feel that many people are looking for office space, especially on Anna Maria Island.
While commissioners thanked Bolus for his care of the property, they questioned whether or not an increase in use intensity on the site would be in the best interests of residents. The property is located across the street from larger commercial properties, including a CVS pharmacy and Publix, but is adjacent to a condominium complex and office building. Some of the concerns raised by commissioners included increases in traffic, more noise for residential neighbors and the rezone increasing the property value, pricing out lower intensity uses such as a doctor’s office or urgent care center. Another issue for commissioners was that Bolus has no concrete plans for how the property would be developed should the rezoning application be approved.
Bolus said that in the time he’s owned the property, he’s invested nearly $2 million to purchase and maintain the property as well as complete repairs on the existing building, including mold remediation.
Though commissioners and Mayor Judy Titsworth all questioned if the rezone was needed or even a good idea, City Attorney Erica Augello reminded them that if the rezoning application meets all of the criteria set forth in the land development code, commissioners have no choice but to approve the application, whether they personally approve of the increase in use or not.
The rezoning application will come before commissioners at a future regular meeting and public hearing. Titsworth urged commissioners to carefully review the city’s codes and application prior to the meeting.
