BRADENTON BEACH – Six months after Hurricane Helene and subsequent permitting obstacles shuttered the doors to the Drift-In, the Bridge Street bar will reopen, at least temporarily pending city review, on Friday, April 4.
The city commission voted unanimously on March 20 to grant the Drift-In a temporary use permit allowing the use of the main building and new tiki bar pending the completion and inspection of remaining improvements.
In a narrative submitted to the city, property owner Derek Williams (1715 Ventures LLC) stated that the Drift-In property was damaged during last year’s hurricanes, and he has been diligently working to re-open and put his employees back to work.
“The tiki structure and tent area existing on site prior to the hurricanes were replaced with a single tiki structure and the property owner is in the process of seeking Major Development Plan approval for the permanent use of that structure,” according to the document. “The property owner is requesting that the city consider issuing a Temporary Use Permit so that the tiki area may be utilized in the meantime to allow this business to operate during this critical season.”
The proposed use would have the same number (60) and configuration of outdoor seats as existed on the site prior to the hurricanes.
Attorney, commissioner comments
Williams was represented by Bradenton attorney Mark Barnebey at the March 20 public hearing.
“This is a fairly simple request,” Barnebey said. “We’ve been moving forward with this project after the hurricane damaged the tiki hut and the tent that had been there previously. We requested a building permit that was approved to replace the damaged structures and then somewhere in the process it was determined that additional approvals were needed. This delayed things and we have gone through the process of seeking a major development plan approval for the permanent use of the structure.”
He said Derek and Helena Williams are anxious to get the establishment up and operating.
“This is very difficult for them and their employees and their customers,” Barnebey said. “We understand that this is something that would be temporary. We propose 180 days or until you make a final decision on the major development permit. We believe this will mitigate some of the costs to the client and we are respectfully requesting approval of the temporary use permit.”
“The seating is the same as under the tents. The tiki hut was there before and there were tents. All this does is put a tiki structure under the entire area that was covered before, there’s no increase in seating at all,” Barnebey said.
“If in granting the temporary use, if you want to condition it or limit it, that might be appropriate,” attorney Robert Lincoln, representing the city, told commissioners.
Mayor John Chappie asked if the intent was to open not only the outdoor area, but also the indoor bar area.
“As early as an hour ago, Mr. Palmer (Building Official Bill Palmer) and I spoke, and I spoke to Mr. Serna (Luis Serna), your city planner,” Williams said. “I’m trying to get the final clarification on the permit for my walk-in cooler, to get that installed and am trying to do it the right way. Once that walk-in is in and the ice machines are there, I can open the inside of the building. The way the beer is delivered into the bar, it’s through the other bar. Once I get out of here today if you say yes and Mr. Palmer says yes, I have the people at the ready, I will get the installation completed and I will open the place safely.”
Williams said issues with the fire marshal have been resolved regarding the material used on the tiki hut roof.
“The short answer to that (Chappie’s question) is the intent of this request, while it only talks about outdoor seating, is to include all of the elements that are currently subject to building permitting, including the replacement bar under the tiki, the outdoor seating under the tiki and the ice machines under the tiki and to the extent that it is a zoning issue, a walk-in,” Lincoln said.
Palmer said he has received all of the proper permits from Williams and all that remains is inspections.
“As long as the inspections are approved, he’ll be good to go,” Palmer said.
Prior to the commission vote on the temporary use permit, Lincoln reminded the commissioners that they would be approving it without the zoning report.
“The zoning report is going to be critical to the major development plan,”” Lincoln said. “If when you hear the application for the major development plan it is possible there could be zoning criteria that the tiki doesn’t meet such that it could only be improved by a Planned Development approval and that is one potential scenario.”
The tiki hut project had been approved by former city Building Official Darin Cushing, but was placed on hold when City Attorney Ricinda Perry said at a Jan. 16 commission meeting that the permit approval should not have been issued based on factors which included the city-owned easements on the property as well as the size of the new tiki structure. She said the project should be classified as a major development and must undergo the hearing process.
The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning board will consider the major development application on Wednesday, April 2 and the city commission will meet on Tuesday, April 8 to consider the major development application and easement modification.
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said she is in favor of reopening the Drift-In.
“The rules and the regulations they have to follow seem to be very easily overcome,” she said.
Commissioner Ralph Cole said he would like to see the Drift-In open up as soon as possible.
“I am excited that the Drift-In is going to be back bigger and better,” Commissioner Deborah Scaccianoce said.
Cole made the motion and it was seconded by Vosburgh.
The motion passed unanimously and was followed by applause from the Drift-In employees and supporters who attended the hearing.
