The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper


Vol. 17 No. 20 - March 1, 2017

headlines

Water ferry service tentatively approved

Carol Whitmore

joe hendricks | SUN

This city-owned dock used by the Coast Guard Auxiliary
is expected to be used as the ferry service's Sarasota point
of departure and arrival.

SARASOTA – The Sarasota City Commission has unanimously approved a conditional city-issued water taxi permit that will allow Sherman Baldwin and Tevatan LLC to operate a water ferry service between Sarasota and the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.

The conditional elements of the permit approved Tuesday, Feb. 21, include Baldwin still needing to acquire sublease rights for a city of Sarasota-owned dock building near Centennial Park and the 10th Street boat ramp. The dock and adjacent city-owned building are leased to the all-volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla. Baldwin also plans to inquire about subleasing and sharing the sparingly used auxiliary building for use as a lobby area.

Baldwin was scheduled to meet with Sarasota Parking General Manager Mark Lyons this week to discuss the subleases and to further clarify the parking situation. Depending on the outcome of these discussions, Baldwin hopes to begin his ferry service as early as next month or as late as July. He originally hoped to begin service in mid-February, until he encountered unanticipated delays in the permitting process.

Sarasota's water taxi permit ordinance was adopted in 2003, but it was never fully implemented until Baldwin submitted his application. This process revealed the need for future refinement of the ordinance and the commission agreed that would be undertaken as a separate and future commission matter.

In accordance with the existing ordinance, further clarification is still needed in regard to parking. The city-owned dock is located next to the Centennial Park public boat ramps and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in an area that contains approximately 900 parking spaces.

There is ample room for parking, but the arrival and department point is not within easy walking distance of Main Street and the downtown business and entertainment district.

Baldwin originally hoped to set up shop in the city-owned waterfront complex that includes the Marina Jacks and O'Leary's Tiki Bar, but that was not to be.

"I wish it was closer to downtown. I would prefer that it be in the heart of the downtown, but there's challenges trying to get that done," Lyons said after last week's meeting.

This means folks who travel to Sarasota from Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island will need to utilize the city's new Gem Car electrical shuttle service, Uber drivers, taxis and other means of alternative transportation to reach their desired locations. Lyons said there is also enough space in that location to accommodate larger shuttle buses.

Sarasota Commissioners also expressed interest in Uber-like water taxis transporting folks around the waterfront and across the bay to Longboat Key, and Sherman mentioned this as an anticipated second phase of his ferry operations.

When asked about a ferry stop in Longboat Key, Baldwin told the commission this would not be feasible due to the lack of public docking facilities. He said Uber-like water taxis would be a more practical means of accomplishing that goal.

Lyons said he appreciated the fact that Baldwin came to the city with a plan that did not seek financial subsidies.

"Sherman came forward with a full plan. We're proud to partner with him and help him out where we can. We're glad to see the permit is underway. There's still some work that needs to be done, but I'm convinced that it can be handled," Lyons said.

The Sarasota commissioners touted the ferry service's potential to create jobs and economic opportunities in addition to serving as an alternative means of travel between Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Sherman said he was happy that his permit was conditionally granted and he expressed no displeasure about the delays incurred. His future plans include expanding the ferry service to include downtown Bradenton as well, which he hopes to do later this year or in 2018.

Rental-inspired LDC amendments proposed
Carol Whitmore

cindy lane | SUN

This photograph illustrates the current trend in residential
construction and how it compares to the smaller homes built
many years ago.

BRADENTON BEACH – Last week, the Planning and Zoning Board completed the second phases of its efforts to regulate vacation rentals.

After previously crafting recommended vacation rental regulations aimed at addressing occupant behavior, the volunteer board embarked on a secondary effort that involves amending the city's land development code (LDC) as a means of potentially limiting home sizes, lot sizes and the size and number of bedrooms allowed.

The proposed LDC amendments are directed primarily at the future construction of vacation rental homes, but if adopted by the city commission they would apply to all properties in the R-1 and R-2 residential zones.

In the absence of Chair John Burns, the board's Wednesday, Feb. 22, meeting, was chaired by Vice Chair Jim Lynch. Lynch guided the board through a review of previously-discussed items and final consensus was reached on the recommendations to be forwarded to the City Commission for consideration and potential adoption.

Many of the proposed amendments are the result of the combined efforts of board member Reed Mapes (a retired contractor) and City Planner Alan Garrett, with additional insight provided by the other board members during the many meetings that preceded last week's meeting.

As of last week, the board is recommending that newly created lots be limited to 5,000 square feet.

The board is also recommending a maximum of 2,000 square feet of habitable living space in accordance with a 40 percent floor area ratio (FAR) derived from a maximum lot size of 5,000 square feet.

The board recommends the habitable space be limited to 2,000 square feet, even if the lot in question is larger than 5,000 square feet. This stems from the discussed desire to prevent larger vacation rentals from being built on larger lots or combined lots.

After the meeting, it was suggested to Garrett that a 2,000 square foot limit on lots larger than 5,000 square feet would likely encounter pushback from some of the many property owners who plan to one day redevelop their larger lots. Garrett acknowledged this was a likely scenario.

During previous discussions, the board expressed initial, non-unanimous support for limiting a structure's second living level to 40 percent of the lower living level, but subsequent debate created uncertainty as to the effectiveness and fairness of such a requirement, and it was not included in the recommendations approved last week.

As part of its efforts to decrease occupancy, the board recommends a bedroom area ratio (BAR) of 29 percent; which means 29 percent (580 square feet) of the 2,000 square feet of habitable space could be used for bedrooms. Working in unison with a recommended minimum bedroom size of 120 square feet, this would allow for no more than four bedrooms in a single-family home.

If supported by the commission, the proposed LDC amendments would also apply to duplexes built in the R-2 district, and they would be applied proportionately to new structures built on smaller lots.

With the support of City Engineer Lynn Burnett, the board recommends that all structures requiring a building permit provide for the storage of the first two inches of rain that falls on the entire property, as designated by a certified site plan designed by a certified stormwater engineer.

The planning board recommendations will be discussed at a future commission workshop.

FDOT approves Holmes Beach speed changes

HOLMES BEACH — It didn't take long for the Florida Department of Transportation to respond to Holmes Beach commissioners' request to return the speed limit to 35 miles per hour west of the Anna Maria Island Bridge.

Holmes Beach was in an uproar after the FDOT, without notice, lowered the speed limit across the bridge from 45 to 35 mph and reduced speed west of the bridge from 35 to 25 mph.

During a special meeting convened Feb. 16, commissioners voted unanimously to request a reversal of the FDOT decision.

David Gwynn, FDOT director of transportation operations, sent a same-day response Feb. 22 to Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson's e-mailed request to increase the speed limit west of the bridge to its previous posted limit. While Gwynn agreed to reverse the change, in his e-mail, he maintained the speed study completed prior to the change and submitted to the city after new signs were posted remains valid. He said another one would not be conducted by the department at this time.

Gywnn said the change would take effect as soon as new signs could be obtained.

Commissioners voted 4 to 1, with Commissioner Pat Morton dissenting, to increase the speed limit from 25 to 35 mph along a stretch of Gulf Drive from 43rd Street to 52nd Street near Anna Maria Elementary School. The change went into effect Feb. 22.

P&Z member leaving AMI over rentals

 

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board member Frank Harrison tendered his written resignation last week after recently announcing that he would soon be leaving the board because he and his wife, Priscilla VonAhnen, are selling their house on 11th Street South and leaving their Island home of more than 40 years.

The couple is moving across the bridge to the north end of Longboat Key. In recent years, Harrison has repeatedly expressed displeasure that he and his wife gradually became the only permanent residents left on a street that is now populated by vacation rental homes. The couple spearheaded the citizen-led efforts to enact the voter-approved, six-month building moratorium that is scheduled to expire in May.

During his final planning board meeting, Harrison encouraged the board and the city commission to continue working to address the concerns associated with large vacation rentals taking over residential neighborhoods.

WGI first choice for pier design

joe hendricks | SUN

Mayor Dan Murphy shares his rankings of the three firms
that submitted proposals for the rehabilitation of the Historic
Anna Maria City Pier.

ANNA MARIA – The Wantman Group Inc. (WGI) engineering firm from Palm Beach has been deemed the city's first choice to handle the design and permitting phases for the rehabilitation of the Historic Anna Maria City Pier.

When presenting his bid rankings at the Feb. 23, commission meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy said WGI ranked highest, followed by Taylor Engineering from Sarasota and the McLaren Engineering Group from Orlando.

Murphy said City Clerk LeAnn Addy and new City Planner Robin Mayer conducted their own independent reviews of the three proposals and ranked the firms in the same order, with slightly different point totals.

In accordance with the state of Florida's Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act, the proposals did not include cost estimates and the firms were ranked solely on their merits and experience.

After presenting this rankings, Murphy requested and received the commission's permission to enter into cost negotiations with WGI. The project price to be discussed with WGI will be only for the design and permitting phases of the project and will not include the actual reconstruction of the pier, which will be addressed in a separate request for proposals to be issued at a later date.

If Murphy and WGI are able to reach an agreeable tentative price, the mayor must bring that back to the commission for final approval before a contract can be executed.

If Murphy and WGI are unable to come to agreeable terms, those negotiations would be permanently terminated and WGI would be eliminated from consideration for this phase of the project. The mayor would then open negotiations with Taylor Engineering; and if those efforts proved unsuccessful, would then negotiate with McLaren. If an amenable price cannot be reached with any of the responding firms, the project would be put back out for bid.

Manatee County officials have tentatively agreed to provide up to $1 million for the design, permitting and rehabilitation of the pier that was originally built in 1911. Commissioner Doug Copeland sits on the Tourist Development Council that provides resort tax-based funding recommendations to the county commission, and he encouraged the mayor and commission to proceed as quickly and judiciously as possible on this because the city of Palmetto also is requesting matching funds for the rehabilitation of an old railroad bridge that is now used as a fishing pier.

Commissioner Dale Woodland noted that the pier tenant, Mario Schoenfelder, recently made some repairs to the T-end of the pier, where he operates a restaurant and a bait shop.

"It's actually in better shape today than it was a year ago," Woodland said.

"They just put $30,000 to $40,000 into it," Commissioner Brian Seymour added.

Woodland reminded the commission to keep in mind the impact the pier rehabilitation will have on the dozens of employees who work in the restaurant and the bait shop when the actual rehabilitation work begins.

In regard to the pier tenant's potential financial obligations as it pertains to the forthcoming project, Murphy said he would reinitiate his discussions with Schoenfelder after a contract is entered into with WGI or one of the other engineering firms.

Tickets now available for Tour of Homes

Kristin Swain | Sun

From left: Executive director Kristen Lessig and Joan Pettigrew,
of the Eyeland Needlers, display the 2017 Tour of Homes
quilt Jan. 30 for members of the Center of Anna Maria Island's board.

ANNA MARIA - Preparations are under way for The Center of Anna Maria Island's 24th annual Tour of Homes.

This year's event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18, opening five Island properties in Holmes Beach and Anna Maria to the public. Each property was specially selected for its reflection of Island living, distinctive architecture and elegant interior.

Along the tour route, attendees will have the opportunity to shop the Tropical Treasures Boutique featuring arts, crafts and culinary delicacies all created especially for the tour. The boutique also will be home to "The Mermaid's Journey" during the Tour, a quilt created especially for the event by the Eyeland Needlers. The quilt will be raffled during the event.

Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and tickets for the tour are $20 each. Both can be purchased from The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

All proceeds from the tour, boutique and raffle benefit the Center and its community programs.

Volunteers and sponsors are still needed for the Tour. To volunteer, contact Robyn Kinkopf at 941-778-1908 or robyn@centerami.org.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, including how to be featured in the tour booklet, contact Lindsay Sauls at 512-968-6084 or events@centerami.org.

What it takes to change a bridge timing

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Michael Lieberum, Chief of Bridge Operations for the United States Coast Guard's Seventh District, explained last week how the bridge timing requests for two Island bridges will be processed.

On Feb. 13, Lieberum e-mailed the three Island mayors and informed them that Friday, April 14, is the deadline to submit public comment on the proposed reduction of bridge openings for four draw bridges along the Intracoastal Waterway. Dating back to 2015, the requests pertain to the Cortez Bridge, the Anna Maria Island Bridge and two bridges in Sarasota. The requests were made in order to reduce traffic congestion created by bridge openings.

The proposed rulemaking calls for the bridges to be opened on the quarter hour and the three-quarter hour, from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m., when requested by passing boat operators. The bridges would still be opened at any time for an emergency vessel or a tug boat. The Island bridges being considered can currently be opened three times an hour from January 15 to April 15, and twice an hour for the rest of the year.

Public comments can be submitted and viewed at www.regulations.gov by entering "Drawbridge Operation Regulation, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Sarasota, Fl." in the website's search engine. As of Monday, there were five comments posted, and all five expressed support for the change.

"We look at the comments. If there are no negative comments – nothing against the proposed rule – then there's no real reason to have a hearing or a meeting. In most cases, there isn't a public hearing," Lieberum said.

When asked about potential opposition from the boating community, he said, "This is a pretty minor change, going from three times an hour to two. I don't expect a lot of pushback, but if there is, that will have to be addressed. If that happens, we'll contact the local authorities and set up a public meeting. We wouldn't do anything that wouldn't involve the local politicians.

"If there's nothing negative that needs to be addressed separately, we can move forward with the final rule. Then it has to go through the normal process: We draft it up and make sure the bridge owner, FDOT, doesn't have any issues with it; then we move forward with processing the rule, which means going through the chain of command to Coast Guard headquarters, DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and then getting it to the Federal Register, which publishes whatever we provide them," Lieberum explained.

"If there's no pushback, we're looking at the possibility of six or seven months. If there's any pushback, then it's going to take longer. This has taken awhile to get through for some reason, but I'm glad we're finally at this point," he said.

Visit Florida bill passes last committee

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida House of Representatives Appropriations Committee has voted 18-12 to pass HB 7005, a bill that would reduce funding for Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing agency, and eliminate funding for Enterprise Florida.

An amendment proposed by bill sponsor, House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Land O'Lakes), and approved by the committee would cut Visit Florida's budget by two-thirds to $25 million and impose new budget transparency measures, salary caps and other fiscal reforms.

If the bill passes, funding for Enterprise Florida, the state's economic development agency, would be eliminated, along with funding for the state film commission.

Gov. Rick Scott, who has been critical of the bill, has asked the Legislature for $76 million for Visit Florida and $85 million for Enterprise Florida.

Corcoran proposed the bill three weeks after a lawsuit he filed uncovered a secret $1 million contract with Miami music artist Pitbull, which led to the resignation of Visit Florida Director Will Seccombe.

The full House will hear the bill when the legislative session begins on Tuesday, March 7. The Florida Senate has no companion bill.


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