HOLMES BEACH – City commissioners are halfway through rezoning approvals for the former Regions Bank property, despite the protests of several residents who’d rather not see a new Publix pharmacy and package store at the property.
The rezone came up for its first public hearing and vote during a May 25 commission meeting, during which commissioners said that they cannot deny the rezone request from C-1 to C-2 without a good reason, such as that it does not meet city standards. They all agreed with staff reports on the project that the application does meet with all city standards. The property also is surrounded by C-2 zoned properties.
Currently, the former Regions Bank location at 503 Manatee Ave. W. has been empty for eight years. Now Publix plans to renovate the existing building to be a liquor store and pharmacy location with a walking path between that building and the existing grocery store to encourage people to not move their car to go from one to the other. Right now, the property is zoned C-1, which allows for office space, banks and medical offices. Changing the property to C-2 allows for retail sales on the property.
Residents who spoke up about the potential rezone during public comment listed a few reasons for the request to be denied with a few of them agreeing that it would be better as an urgent care facility instead of a liquor store and pharmacy.
Resident Nancy Scott said she’s concerned about Holmes Beach becoming too commercialized and would like to see some sort of educational attraction placed in some of the vacant commercial buildings in the city.
Resident Tim Cullinan said that he feels rezoning the property would set a precedent for rezoning two other vacant bank properties in the city.
Another concern was that the retail use would increase traffic in the area, potentially causing more traffic accidents, something Police Chief Bill Tokajer said wasn’t a concern. He said he’d spoken with the city’s traffic engineer and that the proposed usage wasn’t expected to cause any more traffic than what had been there when the bank was in business. To help reduce accidents in the area, he’s suggested to the Florida Department of Transportation that Sixth Avenue become a right-turn-only option to Manatee Avenue instead of people being able to turn left and block traffic across the state road.
Commissioner Jim Kihm said he feels that the revitalization and use of the property proposed by representatives for Publix would be a productive asset for the community.
Commissioner Carol Soustek said that the request met all of the city’s requirements and that she’s looking forward to seeing the property in use again rather than sitting vacant.
During a June 2 planning commission meeting, planning commissioners voted unanimously to approve the rezone as consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.
The matter is scheduled to go back before commissioners for a final vote and public hearing Tuesday, June 8 at 6 p.m. While the public is invited to view the commission meeting and following work session online via Zoom, you must appear in person in commission chambers during the meeting to make comments.
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