One in a Million Clearwater Beach

I was looking at the webcam today and a one in a million picture occured. Check out the fish jumping in the picture.

Spoof Emails

Everyone knows what a fake email is. I get very annoyed when I receive them so to spread the word to anyone else who gets fake emails especially concerning Ebay or Paypal, click on the forward button of the email and send the email to spoof@ebay.com or spoof@paypal.com . It may not do much, but at least it's something. As always, never click on any link inside the email.

Taste of Clearwater Event

The 19th Annual Taste of Clearwater will be on Wednesday, September 17, from 5-8pm at the Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland Street in downtown Clearwater. Tickets may be purchased online at www.clearwaterflorida.org or at the following locations:
Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, Main Office, 1130 Cleveland St.
Clearwater Welcome Center, 3350 Gulf to Bay Blvd. (SR 60), Clearwater
Beach Visitor Information Center, 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach
Ruth Eckard Hall's Ticket Center
City of Clearwater Parks & Rec Center, Osceola Street
Individual prepaid tickets $18
All tickets $20 at the door

Tropical Storm Fay and Clearwater Beach

It is the morning of Aug 20th and Fay is on the East Coast now. We only had twenty minutes of rain yesterday. Right now the sun is out and it is windy. The storm is expected to come west again, but so far everything is fine.

Update on Legg Mason's Proposed Cabana Club Hotel

This message was posted on the bulletin board:

Click here for the online petition

Time is running out! Your emails to the city make a difference, and they must be received by Thursday, August 14th to assure that they are delivered to the decision makers on Legg Mason's application to build the 10 story high hotel at the Cabana Club Restaurant site. To provide you some ideas for your message, here are the key issues:

1. The size of the proposed building is too big for the lot because they only have 88 feet to build on and the code requires a 200 foot wide lot.

2. The height of the proposed building is too tall. The code limits them to 25 feet and building something 100 feet or 10 stories high will hurt surrounding property values.

3. There is not enough parking now. Adding a 38 room hotel but only 8 parking spaces makes the problem worse.

4. Taking 25 feet of public beach restored with taxpayers dollars should be stopped.

5. Operating a ferry boat for guests from over 450 hotel rooms on a canal where all of the properties are residential.

Send your email to the Mayor, the City Council and Sherry Watkins( who will forward them to the members of the CDB)

re: Case # FLD2008-02002 ( 1590 Gulf Blvd.) to
Frank.Hibbard@myclearwater.com
Paul.Gibson@myclearwater.com
John.Doran@myclearwater.com
George.Cretekos@myclearwater.com
Sherry.Watkins@myclearwater.com
Carlen.Petersen@myclearwater.com

Mail your letter to: Wayne Wells, Planning Dept., POBox 4748, Clearwater, FL 33767

This matter is scheduled for a public hearing and final decision before the Clearwater Community Development Board (CDB) on August 19th, 1:00pm, City Hall, 112 S. Osceola Street, Clearwater, Florida, Third Floor.

New website at http://www.mysandkey.com/

The new planned Clearwater Beach Hotel

According to the St. Petersburg Times, this is the new planned Clearwater Beach hotel, time share development.

Gulf Blvd Gets Funding by County

According to the Tampa Bay Newspaper, approval by Pinellas County officials will award 11 beach communitites $7 Million annually for 5 years beginning in 2010 for Gulf Blvd improvements

SpyGlass - MindFreak

Last night the SpyGlass Hotel imploded. Watch the Video.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7102632&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Trying cuil.com

So I tried the new search engine today, cuil.com pronounced "cool". Don't know what is cool about it. It was very slow and sluggish. I typed in Lighthouse Towers and what was produced were all the commercial sites with generic pictures. A few of my listings came up but with pictures that were not even related to my website. Two thumbs down.

Clearwater Beach Parking

According to the Beach Chamber, "IF YOU THINK A PARKING GARAGE IS NEEDED ON SOUTH CLEARWATER BEACH THEN YOU NEED TO BE AT THURSDAY NIGHTS (JULY 17) COUNCIL MEETING TO SAY YOUR PIECE OR YOU MAY NEVER HAVE A CHANCE TO DO SO AGAIN.

THE CITY IS SAYING IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO BUY A PARCEL OF LAND AND ARE LEANING TOWARDS BUILDING ON LAND THEY ALREADY OWN.

THAT LEAVES THEM EITHER THE MARINA OR THE LOT NEXT TO THE OLD ADAMS MARK.

EACH HAS ITS' POSITIVES & NEGATIVES. BE AT THE MEETING TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!"

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

One of our favorite things to do when we are in Clearwater Beach is to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It's one of the best aquariums we've been to. All the exhibits are very up close. Winter is our favorite dolphin too! I was just looking at their website http://www.cmaquarium.org/cms/ and now they have a live webcam! The webcam is located at http://www.cmaquarium.org/webcam.html . What a great new feature.

Dr. Beach names Caladesi Island #1 Beach

TOP 10 BEACHES 2008 according to Dr. Beach
1. Caladesi Island State Park
Clearwater/Dunedin, Florida
2. Hanalei Beach
Kauai, Hawaii
3. Siesta Beach
Sarasota, Florida
4. Coopers Beach
Southampton, New York
5. Coronado Beach
San Diego, California
6. Main Beach
East Hampton, New York
7. Hamoa Beach
Maui, Hawaii
8. Cape Hatteras
Outer Banks of North Carolina
9. Cape Florida State Park
Key Biscayne, Florida
10. Beachwalker Park
Kiawah Island, South Carolina

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

Important Clarification: Sand Key Shoppes

IMPORTANT! Please attend the City Council Meeting March 20th (tomorrow) at 6pm. Even though the CDB denied the Tourist zoning for the Shoppes, it is just a recommendation. The City Council will hear the case and make the decision! And remember - there is still NO zoning for that property. www.saveourshoppes.com can help if you have questions. Thanks for your support!Mary Reinhardt

Results for Meeting 1, Sand Key Shoppes

According to Mary Reinhardt,

Hello everyone,
First, thanks for your support. You, individually and together have made the difference to have the Community Development Board deny a recommendation to the City Council for the Tourist zoning of the Shoppes.

Please refer to: www.saveourshoppes.com for the VERY LATEST information and new issues that could impact Sand Key. Be sure the check the "Call to Arms".

Please take a moment to forward this message to your "sphere of influence" mailing list. We need to have everyone informed because things change momentarily!

Thank you for your continued support!!

Mary Reinhardt
SOS Committee

Meetings for Clearwater Beach Hotel Density

According to Mary Reinhardt: March 18th 1 pm - CDB Meeting City Hall - 112 S. Osceola St, 3rd FloorTWO IMPORTANT ITEMS! CDB Will deny or recommend the Tourist zoning for the Shoppes to the City Council. Will hear the hotel density room increase (could go from 50 rooms per acre to 125 rooms per acre This could affect Sand Key!

March 20th 6 pm - City Council Meeting City Hall - 112 S. Osceola St, 3rd Floor First hearing (the IMPORTANT ONE) on the zoning of the Shoppes Hearing on hotel density room increase. See flyer below for the details. Please plan to attend one or BOTH meetings. Thank you for your continued support.

SAVE OUR SHOPPES
WE NEED YOU!


WHY: The Mayor and City Council will finally determine the fate of the Shoppes on Sand Key. If they vote for “tourist accommodations” zoning, a ten story hotel could be built in place of the Shoppes on Sand Key. The Shoppes would be gone!

WHEN: March 20, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Clearwater City Hall
112 S. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, Florida
Doors Open at 5:00 p.m
WHAT: Can you do? Attend the hearing!
This is your last chance to unite with your neighbors and have your voice heard before your elected officials.
HOW: Bus transportation - $7 round trip.
Visit: http://www.saveourshoppes.com/

Another Clearwater Gazette

Another Clearwater Gazette Article:

The Sand Key Civic Association meeting of March 5th started with Lt. Andrews of the Clearwater Police Department reporting on a proposed Gulf Boulevard crosswalk between Dan's Island and the Marina location.
Then the board of directors handled the recent resignation of president Mike Dooley due to relocation by holding an election to fill the vacancy. Al DiPalo of Crescent Beach Club was elected to fill the remaining term of Dooley.
A presentation was then made by Legg Mason/ Belleview Biltmore team regarding redevelopment of the Cabana Club Grille. According to Legg Mason, the redevelopment plan for the Sand Key property includes demolishing the current building and erecting a six story 38-room hotel with restaurant/bar and cabanas. The proposed redevelopment plan would require a height variance from the current 25-foot limitation to a 65-foot limit, stated the planners. Questions from citizens followed the presentation. The SKCA board of directors discussed the proposed redevelopment plan of the Cabana Club Grille and then resolved to oppose any city variance to the current building and city codes.
Regarding the Shoppes, it was reported that as a result of the 3/3 split vote to deny the application for T zoning at the February 19 Community Development Board meeting, a new motion and vote will take place at the March 18 meeting. The term of one board member expired after the meeting and a new board member was appointed, and one board member was absent - so there will be several different members voting. The result of that vote will determine the recommendation the board makes to the City Council which will hear the application at its March 20 meeting.
All who attended were urged to attend the City Council meeting and voice their opinions.

Clearwater Gazette

This week in the Clearwater Gazette:

Some 400 Sand Key residents attended a recent Community Development Board meeting to protest Tourist zoning for Sand Key. Twice that number of signed petitions affirming the protest were presented at the meeting. For some reason, the Board had only six members present resulting in a split vote on whether the CDB recommends Tourist zoning to the City Council. Consequently, the meeting was extended to March 18 for a final vote, the results of which will be referred to the City Council at its March 20 meeting.
We recognize the City is looking for new ways to generate tax revenue. We applaud the City`s encouragement of new hotel rooms on Clearwater Beach, already a tourist destination. We just discovered on the agenda for that same March 20 meeting, the City Council and Mayor will vote on allowing the Marriott and Sheraton hotels on Sand Key to increase the number of hotel rooms on the north end of the island from the current 610 to 3000 or FIVE TIMES! Sand Key is not a tourist destination now and we urge our City officials to respect our residents' determination to keep it that way.
We bought our home on Sand Key because of the residential nature of this community, complete with our quaint but convenient retail component, the Shoppes on Sand Key. We`d like to maintain the residential nature of our community along with thousands of our neighbors. The Shoppes have provided the entire Sand Key community with amenities that will be lost if tourist zoning is approved. Along with that loss will be greatly increased traffic, construction congestion, decreased property values and much increased beach noise.
We respectfully ask the City Council to work with our residents to produce a Neighborhood Community Overlay District for Sand Key. This was done successfully for Island Estates and the Coachman Ridge Neighborhood Plan. It can be done for Sand Key and thereby preserve the residential nature of our community. After all, Sand Key residents generate, through payment of property taxes in excess of 17% of the City`s budget. Let`s not lose sight of that!
- Jim and Jane Strenski, Sand Key (Clearwater).

Save our Shoppes on Sand Key

According to Mary Reinhardt of Save our Shoppes:

Dear Friend and Supporters of Sand Key, Again thank you for your emails and support. SOS also means HELP! You can help us very easily. I have attached a survey which is very important.Please take a moment and have each member of your household fill it out and return to me. It can be mailed, FAXed or left at the Bank of America.The address and FAX number are at the bottom of the page. I need it by March 14th. Also, we have bumper stickers (removable) available for a donation of $5.00. This is used for the legal defense fund. Don't forget the BIG DAY. The City Council meets on March 20th at 6 pm to hear the zoning application for the Shoppes. Please try to attend. We filled the hearing room, the overflow room, the lobby and the parking lot at the CDB hearing.We must do it again. Our future and our life style on Sand Key depends on this!! Continued thanks for all your support!

Residents and Visitors of Sand Key

Survey for the SOS Committee

1. How often do you use the Shoppes on Sand Key?

______per day

______per week


What services do you use at the Shoppes on Sand Key?
(Check which ones you use)

_____Bank _____Grocery Store

_____Restaurants _____Nail Salon

_____Dry Cleaners _____Yogurt/Ice Cream Parlor

_____Real Estate Company _____Coffee Shop

_____Gift Shops or Jewelry Store _____Ladies Apparel Shops

_____Men’s Clothing Store


3. Which directions(s) would you travel if there were no Shoppes on Sand Key? (Check one or both)

_____North to Clearwater Beach

_____South to Belleair or Largo



Name______________________Address___________________________

Phone_____________________ City, State, Zip Code_________________


Thank you for participating in this survey

Please return by March 14, 2008 to:
SOS Committee c/o M. Reinhardt, 1230 Gulf Blvd #604, Clearwater, FL 33767
or FAX to 727-595-7355

Another Sand Key Shoppes Update

According to Steven Everitt, City of Clearwater Planning Department, The Zoning Atlas Amendment from the Business District to the Tourist District (REZ2007-10001) at 1241, 1261 and 1281 Gulf Boulevard is scheduled for the Community Development Board meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 1 pm. The public should be advised that the public hearing has been closed and that no further testimony will be forthcoming from City staff, representatives of the applicant or the public, or the public generally. It will be a matter of deliberation by the Board only as they consider a motion on the application. The case will then be before the City Council (1st Reading) on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 6 pm. On May 1, 2008, the case will be before City Council (2nd Reading) at 6 pm. Interested parties may appear and be heard at the hearing or file written notice of approval or objection with the Planning Department or City Clerk prior to the City Council meetings.

Sand Key Shoppes

According to the Tampa Bay Newspaper On line edition , a group of 300- 400 Sand Key residents appeared at the Tuesday's Community Development Board meeting to oppose the change in zoning for the Sand Key Shoppes. With over 2400 signatures, Sand Key resident's voices were heard. A 3-3 deadlock vote was reached.

There will be another vote at the Tuesday, March 18 meeting.

Save our Shoppes on Sand Key

The shoppes on Sand Key are at risk of being zoned "Tourist". This would allow a hotel TEN stories high. Our shops would be gone! You can help! Attend the February Board Meeting and sign the petition available at Bank of America located at the Shoppes. The Community Board meeting is on February 19, 2008 at 1PM, City Hall, 3rd Floor - 112 S. Osceola Street, Clearwater. Doors open at noon. Arrive Early!

Bus transportation provided - $7.00 roundtrip call 727-698-0743. Visit http://www.saveourshoppes.com/

Sand Key Shoppes Update

According to the January 17, 2008 Clearwater Gazette:

Developer Steps Back And Reconsiders Purchase Options - Cedarwood Development, owner of the Marriott Hotel on Sand Key, is reconsidering the purchase option for the Shoppes of Sand Key from current owner Dick Bennett. However, and due to lack of current City of Clearwater zoning, the Marriott property on Sand Key zoning application will move forward with the Clearwater Community Development Board.

Shoppes on Sand Key Marriott Hotel Zoning Request

A request for a T (Tourist) zone designation has been filed with the City of Clearwater for the property where the Shoppes on Sand Key are currently located. If granted, the Applicant has indicated their intention to build a new 375 room hotel, a condominium complex and a spa where the Shoppes are currently located. The Applicant also would build a parking complex and additional condominiums on the property located between the existing Marriott Hotel and the Sand Key Sailing Center. In addition, the Applicant has expressed their intent to seek approval to build a Marina behind their property.

Public hearings on the application are currently scheduled before the Clearwater Community Development Board on 1/15 at 1 pm and the Clearwater city Council on 2/7 and 2/21 at 6 pm. Meeting will take place at Clearwater City Hall 112 S Osceloa Ave. Please plan to attend these meetings and express your views. Buildings withing the 500 feet of the proposed zone change may be granted "Party Status" which allows for presentation of professional testimony and questioning of applicants professionals. Bayside Gardens, The Grande, Harbor Light Towers, Landmark Towers 1 and 2, Lighthouse Towers and the Meridian are located within 500 feet of the subject application.

Currently the Grande, Landmark 1 and 2, and Meridian and the Sand key Civic Association (SKCA) have hired an Attorney and Planner to represent their interests at the upcoming City of Clearwater Community Development Board and City Council meetings where the Applicant's zone request will be considered.

Unit owners interested in making a contribution can do so by making checks payable to Alan S Zimmit, ESQ, Trust Account, and send them to PO Box 15309, Clearwater, Florida, 33756-5309. Please note on memo line "Legal Fees - Rezoning of the Shoppes.

Update:

Please be advised that the applicant for the Zoning Atlas Amendment from the Business District to the Tourist District (REZ2007-10001) located at 1201, 1241, 1261 and 1281 Gulf Boulevard will request a continuance of the case at the January 15, 2008 Community Development Board meeting. The applicant will request the case be continued to the February 19, 2008 Community Development Board meeting.
Steven Everitt
City of Clearwater Planning Department

Email can also be sent to Steven.Everitt@myClearwater.com