If you haven’t heard, the Cabana Club owners are planning to tear down the current restaurant building and build a “boutique” hotel. As usual, there are many rumors and different ideas about what is happening.
First, there are no approved plans. There are some drawings the owners, Legg-Mason, originally showed. However, they were just drawings and subject to change. Second, at first there appeared to be little opposition to the construction until two issues came to the forefront. One issue is the developer wants to ask for variances to height and set back restrictions. Legg-Mason also wants the City to allow higher density on Sand Key to get more rooms that the original plans. These two parts of the plan seem to have created a lot more scrutiny that the original proposal.
Some people are saying that the hotel would be better than the current run down building, but is it worth the risk of allowing building variances for this project that may lead to additional proposals on other parts of Sand Key?
This writer would suggest that a small boutique hotel with 30 or 40 rooms may be an asset. However, allowing height, density increases or set back variances should not be permitted. If you have an opinion, comment here.
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This comment was sent asking the identity be withheld;
“On the surface, anything …even a small hotel … might seem preferable to the rundown restaurant that is there currently, according to some owners. But on deeper investigation it would appear that LM’s avid interest in increasing the hotel density on Sand Key could only indicate that they are seriously considering what more they could do to compete with resort business in Dubai, as manager Martin Smith said at a recent meeting. Would the passing of the increased density plan allow them to increase the new Cabana Club Hotel design to 60-66 rooms, wonder some of the residents? And in that case, would 62 parking spaces accommodate 30 additonal couples? Think about that.”
the residents of sand key have made their voices clear that the island is first and foremost residential, and that additional hotel density is not welcome. no exceptions.
Give the hotels an inch and they’ll take a MILE.
If you want to keep hotel density off Sand Key and maintain our beautiful residental island -
email Mayor Hibbard, frank.hibbard@myclearwater.com
and let him know and MOST IMPORTANT - ATTEND THE CITY COUNCIL HEARING ON APRIL 17th at 6pm. The clock is ticking - this may be our last chance!!
For more info: http://www.saveourshoppes.com
Larry - I agree with you that a small hotel would be charming. I personally hope they don’t allow increased density - one of the beauties of Sand Key condos is the private beach feeling they’ve been able to retain IMHO. Thanks for the updates!
We retired to Sand Key because it is a residential community!!! My husband and I are Florida residents and we live in South Beach II.
My mother retired to Sand Key because it is residential with walking access to shops, banking, groceries and restaurants. She lives at the Meridian. My brother and his wife purchased a unit in Ultimar I. While he is not yet retired, they and their family vacation here frequently throughout the season. We believe there is currently a nice mix of tourist/business and residential properties. As tax payers on Sand Key we oppose any new hotel rooms that will add to the traffic congestion and further stress the environment and water supply.
Such a very good article and great site.,