HOLMES BEACH – Concern about the number of low-speed vehicles in the city and the potential for incoming additional rental companies has prompted Holmes Beach commissioners to enact a six-month moratorium.
The moratorium, approved in a four-to-one vote during a July 27 meeting with Commissioner Jim Kihm dissenting, blocks the applications for new low-speed vehicle rental businesses coming into the Island city. It does not apply to current businesses or those with pending site plans, such as the pending application for The Toy Barn.
Kihm said he feels that some discussion on the number of low-speed vehicles in the city may merit some conversation but he felt that a moratorium would be premature at this point.
The issue was brought to the attention of commissioners by fellow Commissioner Jayne Christenson. She said she feels that the number of low-speed vehicles taking to city streets is dangerous, particularly with some people not wearing seat belts, piling more people in the vehicle than it safely seats and generally treating the vehicles as toys while on vacation. She suggested the moratorium as a way for city officials to research the problem and try to find a way to make city streets safer without allowing any new rental businesses to set up shop in Holmes Beach.
City Attorney Patricia Petruff warned commissioners they need to manage their expectations concerning the moratorium, noting that while it does prevent a business from opening a brick-and-mortar location in the city, it doesn’t stop one from bringing vehicles in on a trailer to deliver them.
When it was suggested the city require a business tax receipt for anyone doing a business delivery in the city, it was quickly shot down because of the potential logistical and legal issues it would cause. Petruff said it wasn’t realistic for commissioners to require a BTR for anyone delivering in the city because it wouldn’t just apply to low-speed vehicle renters but also food delivery and other services.
Kihm said he would like to spend some time looking at what the issues are concerning the golf cart-like vehicles and mini cars rented by vacationers. And while he’s concerned about traffic, Kihm said moving vehicles through the Island cities is a multi-faceted problem that’s going to need creative solutions.
Commissioner Carol Soustek said she’s unsure of what the city can do as the low-speed vehicles are considered legal vehicles and the city cannot regulate the number of vehicles on the road.
Christenson said she’s heard a low-speed vehicle rental business, one that’s already bringing vehicles into the city for rent without having a brick-and-mortar location, ZoomAround, is considering purchasing the former Wells Fargo location at the corner of Marina and Gulf Drives, just in front of the Shops at Waterline where The Toy Barn is planning to relocate if their site plan is approved by city leaders.
Though the former Wells Fargo property is currently listed as off the market, no sales have been recorded according to Manatee County property appraiser records.
For a vehicle rental business to open in the space, City Planner Bill Brisson said it would require a special exception for the change in use at the property from commissioners. The sale of the property also could negatively impact the Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club which has a lease with Wells Fargo for the use of 20 parking spaces for the resort and adjacent marina.
Brisson said the parking spaces, which are part of the former bank property, are part of the required parking for the resort and marina.
Commissioners instructed staff to send a letter with approval from Mayor Judy Titsworth to management at the Waterline resort to see what their plans are for the required parking spaces for the resort and marina.
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