Clearwater April 17th Results

According to Save our Shoppes , On April 17th, the Mayor and City Council members of Clearwater voted to down the increase of hotel rooms on property zoned commercial and voted to allow 110 hotel rooms per acre for property zoned tourist. What is the effect of this vote to Sand Key and Island Estates? The Shoppes on Sand Key property and commercial property on Island Estates, including the Publix shopping center, will not be as attractive to a developer for the building of hotels. The increase in hotel rooms to the Marriott and Sheraton is as follows:
Marriott = existing rooms 220 + hotel density increase 383
Sheraton =existing rooms 390 + hotel density increase 750
610 1133
Total potential hotel rooms on the north end of Sand Key: 610 + 1133 = 1743
The City Council members and Mayor assured over four hundred residents who were present at the meeting there were sufficient levels of review that would guarantee that any future development would be carefully scrutinized. In addition, representations were made that a lesser number of rooms would be approved by the City for the Marriott and Sheraton after other building criteria were met.
The SOS Committee is investigating the referendum process to repeal the action taken by the City Council and Mayor regarding the Sheraton and Marriott. No decision has been made at this time how to proceed.
The owner of the Shoppes on Sand Key has filed an appeal of the action taken by the City Council and Mayor March 20, 2008 to deny the application to zone the property tourist.
The volunteers of the SOS Committee wish to extend much appreciation to all who supported and participated in this process. We know the Mayor and City Council were sincere in trying to strike a balance between the competing interests of the residents and the expansion of the Marriott and Sheraton.
Please continue to visit this website for future developments and actions by the SOS Committee.

Time to email Mayor Hibbard...

According to Mary Reinhardt of Save our Shoppes,

Dear Friends and Supporters of Our Beautiful Sand Key, It's time once again to FLOOD the Mayor and City Council with an email. We don't want them to think we've forgotten them! Email: frank.hibbard@myclearwater.com In case you haven't checked the website: www.saveourshoppes.com is a few days - check out the navigation bar - Residential Sand Key. Some incredible pictures and sound! Thanks always. You're making it happen! Mary Reinhardt

Clearwater City Council Meeting on April 17

Mary Reinhardt of SOS says:

Good Morning Friends and Supporters of SOS, You are making the difference! The application to zone the property where the Shoppes on Sand Key are located was denied by the City Council on March 20th. But now, we are faced with another serious problem....the increase in hotel room density issue......and another City Council meeting on April 17, 2008. at 6pm. If the Mayor and City Council approve this increase, the result could be another hotel on the combined Marriott and Shoppes of Sand Key site; in addition, another hotel on the Sheraton. Between the two, they could be able to add an additional 1500-2000 rooms! On the south end of the island, Legg Mason is planning to add a 60 room hotel at the Cabana Club restaurant site. We will see our residential community transformed into a tourist destination. Our website at http://www.saveourshoppes.com/ has been completely revamped and contains information to keep you updated.Please check our website. We try hard to keep you fully informed as things change daily. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Island Estates now faces the same problem on possible hotels being built and we have joined together to oppose the City's efforts and to protect the "residential character" of our neighborhoods. Right now, there are three things you can do: 1. Please complete the attached petition and return it (options for return are at bottom of petition) 2. Make copies of the petition and pass around as many as possible to your friends and neighbors to sign. Ask them to pass around petitions to their friends and neighbors. 3. Plan on attending the City Council meeting on April 17th at 6pm. City Hall, 3rd Floor, 112 S. Osceola Ave. Doors open at 5pm. This issue is as important as the last because we have "won a battle but could lose the war". Time is short and your assistance is really necessary. Thank you for your continued support. Mary Reinhardt, SOS Committee

Save our Shoppes Petition or Save our Neighborhood Petition ( North end of Sand Key)

or Island Estates Petition

Clearwater Beach Ford Ironman to view

The Ford IronMan 70.3 held in Clearwater last November will air on NBC April 12 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
This year Foster Grant, (think Sun Glasses) a long-standing Ironman partner, will serve as title sponsor and will now be referred to as the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3. The event will take place on Nov. 8, and Foster Grant will continue its support through 2009.

Sand Key Shoppes Zoning Update March 25, 2008

From: Cynthia L. Remley, Esq."

Dear Concerned Neighbors of Sand Key and fellow Save Our Neighborhood (“SON”) of Sand Key Committee members: This is a periodic update based on the best information I have concerning issues that impact Legg Mason’s attempts to build a hotel at 1590 Gulf Blvd.:

SOS (Save Our Shoppes) Opposition to Tourist Zone Application: On March 20th the City Council voted 4-1 to deny an application that requested that the Shoppes of Sand Key be zoned as “Tourist.” Previously, the Marriott Hotel had joined in on that application with the owner, Bennett. This was a victory, but there is still a lot of work to be done to get the type of Commercial Zone applied that will retain the Shoppes.
More Hotel Rooms on Sand Key and at 1590 Gulf Blvd.: Just before the hearing on March 20th, the City Council deferred a hearing until April 17th on the proposal to adopt the Pinellas Planning Council’s (PPC’s) increased hotel density code. Despite the deferral, Legg Mason’s attorney specifically asked the City Council to adopt PPC code. As you may recall, October 2007, the Pinellas Planning Council (PPC) adopted an increased hotel density code that would apply to both “Tourist” and “Commercial” zones, and the Cabana Club Restaurant site is a “C” zone. If adopted, Legg Mason might submit plans to build a hotel of 60-66 rooms. Up to 3,000 hotel rooms might be added to the entire island. Mayor Hibbard has indicated that he does not believe Sand Key residents are opposed to more hotel rooms and the PPC being adopted to apply to Sand Key. It is important that you let him and other City Council members know your concerns. Contact information and suggested message points will be distributed later this week in another status email.
Legg Mason’s Plans: As of this date, we are not aware of any plans of Legg Mason being on file with the City Planning Department. Because of their push for a code that would allow more hotel rooms, this is not surprising. Petitions that oppose a structure which seeks variances have been left in the lobbies of some condominium lobbies. In the upcoming week you may be contacted for access to your building to supply/collect these petitions or to request signatures of residents.

We thank you for your support and for forwarding this information to your fellow Sand Key neighbors, condo association boards and condominium residents.

Cynthia L. Remley
The Harbour
Direct (727) 215-9711
e-mail: Cynthia@ProRemLaw.com

Victory may be short lived...

According to Tampabay.com the zoning issue is not dead...

Victory for the Shoppes on Sand Key

Dear Friends, Residents, and Visitors, The City Council voted 4-1 last night to defeat the "Tourist" zoning for the Shoppes! Without all your support in the campaign and the attendance at the 3 meetings, this would have not turned out this way. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! There is still much work to be done to get the zoning that will retain the Shoppes, but with your continued support - we can do it! Thank you again,Mary Reinhardt and the SOS Committee