Apparently, you can build a 54 room hotel with guests, a restaurant for 175 people and employ dozens of people and need only 54 parking spots on Sand Key. At least that is the approximate impact of the court’s decision to allow the project to move forward after a lengthy court battle.

The City of Clearwater had approved the project, but the residents had sued to make the City stick to existing parking requirements, rather than grant variances to the hotel project. If the project is built as planned, it will be interesting to see where all the traffic and cars will be shuffled to make this work without constant congestion in the area. The Biltmore has said they will have valet parking - but valet to where?

Once again, this is a call for the residents of Sand Key to meet with the City to agree upon future development issues. A plan needs to be developed now, rather than after the fact. Precedent for building limitations was evident in the Beach by Design plan for Clearwater Beach. We may not agree with the results, but there was a general plan to limit certain types of structures, heights and density. There is no plan for Sand Key. Now is the time to reach an agreement - not after plans are approved for another project in the future.

I cannot think of anyone who deserves recognition for his efforts in bringing visitors to Florida more than Russ Kimball. Last week Russ was named as the most recent inductee to the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

Russ has built the Sheraton Sand Key Resort into one of the best operated facilities in the state. Many guests have been coming to visit our island while staying at Russ’s hotel for about 30 years - longer than most of us have been here!

While working diligently to promote Florida’s image, Russ hasn’t forgotten the community. Whenever there is a charitable cause, community need or assistance for local projects, Russ is there. He is respected by his peers, loved by his employees and praised by his guests. We need leaders like this on Sand Key.

Congratulations Russ!

The Travel and Leisure website has named one of the Sheraton Sand Key’s hotel rooms as number five on their list of Notorious Hotel Rooms.

This dubious award is among other hotel rooms that date back to the days of prohibition, mafia and Howard Hughes. The Sheraton’s award is a little more recent.

In 1980 Jim Bakker, an evangelist with worldwide operations, had an alleged affair with his then secretary Jessica Hahn. The tryst was headlines for months. Room #538 was the location disclosed in subsequent proceedings.

Bakker eventually ended up in prison (for more than an affair) and his empire collapsed. Jessica Hahn became a Playboy model.

For more, you can check out the link above.

And you thought it was calm and quiet on our island!

With the announced closing of the Bank of America branch on Sand Key, once again the development of the Bennett property where the Shoppes of Sand Key has been a target of rumors and mis-information. As far as I know there are no development plans in the works. As you know Backwaters, Maggie Mae’s and the Columbia has many years left on the leases. Any attempt to develop the property would require the property owner and/or the developer to deal with the leases prior to any possible development.

Bank of America is like all financial institutions in this economy. They are looking for ways to save money, reduce costs and consolidate assets. The branch closing merely means customers will have to travel across the bridge to the other branch of B of A. That will not be a great business loss to the bank, since they have no competition in the area.

If and when, there is any development news, I will post on this blog.

As a side note, the owner of the property is very ill and is fighting his illness in and out of hospitals right now. Getting any direct statement from D.A. Bennett has been difficult as his struggle to get well continues.

DA Bennett & Co. prevailed over the City of Clearwater in their battle to have the property where the Shoppes of Sand Key are located zoned “tourist”. This allows more height and density for hotels than a commercial designation.

Bennett won because the city erred when it didn’t follow existing ordinances that were in place at the time of the vote. The win was expected based on the history of the property and the proximity to major hotels. Residents of the area voiced their opposition to council, but poor planning in the past had allowed the area to expand without a neighborhood master plan. This will continue on Sand Key until the residents work with a single group to create a master plan.

The city has the right to appeal, but the chances are slim that they will prevail, since they made up ordinances after the fact.

At this time there are no development plans for the property, but this action gives Bennett more options.

In their September 16, 2008 meeting the Clearwater Development Board approved Legg-Mason’s plan to develop a “boutique” hotel on Sand Key at the site of the current Cabana Club. The CDB action was no surprise even though there were a number of people opposed to the plan. There were others who supported the plan. The opponents could not muster the focus on precedent setting variances and fought the project on the basis of neighborhood impact. Unfortunately, this message fell on deaf ears when you already have an operating restaurant in the location.

There were some opponents saying that they would file an appeal to the CDB’s decision. That long and costly process would likely lead to the same conclusion. There is a commercial operation at the location and to oppose a similar use in an existing commercial site is almost impossible to stop.

SKCA will meet at the Clearwater Sailing Center  at 7 PM September 3, 2008. The agenda includes information about fighting red tide and an update on the Shoppes of Sand Key zoning and the hotel development on the Cabana Club location.