ANNA MARIA – The three sitting members of the Anna Maria Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z) have rejected the idea of allowing non-residents to serve on the city advisory board.
With the recent departures of members Dr. Jose Erbella and Dusty Crane, the board is down to three members: Chairman David Haddox and members Doug Copeland and Jeff Rodencal.
Haddox recently told The Sun that he and his wife, Marsha McAllister, plan to put their Anna Maria home on the market soon and relocate to another state when it sells, creating another planning board vacancy.
The agenda for the planning board’s Dec. 11 meeting included an informal workshop-style discussion about planning board membership. The agenda packet included language found in the city code of ordinances that says, “There is hereby created a planning and zoning board consisting of no less than three and no more than five members who shall be qualified electors (registered voters) and residents of the city.”
During past city commission meetings, it has been stated that approximately 70% of the residential properties in Anna Maria are used as short-term vacation rentals rather than permanent residences.
“The fundamental question is how do we get more participants on P&Z?” Rodencal asked.
He initiated discussion on allowing non-resident Anna Maria property owners or business owners to serve on the planning board that reviews land use and development matters and makes non-binding recommendations to the city commission.
“I’ve been a member of the Planning and Zoning Board off and on for over 30 years. Other than the first few years I was on this board, we’ve had issues getting members. It’s not a new issue,” Copeland said.
“If we open it up to non-residents, we’re signing away our city. Investors will be allowed to be on this board. They will not represent us, as residents, and we will see the end of our city government,” he said.
After acknowledging Copeland’s concern, Rodencal suggested allowing just one non-resident to serve on a board otherwise comprised of city residents. Rodencal said a business owner might offer a different perspective and he noted the city of Bradenton Beach allows a non-resident business owner (Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal) to serve on its Planning and Zoning Board.
“We can certainly keep going the way we’re going, but it seems like we’re always struggling to get people,” Rodencal said.
“As we have for 20 years,” Copeland replied. “I certainly wouldn’t take Bradenton Beach as an example of how we want to govern.”
Haddox said someone recently suggested inviting the city’s Historic Preservation Board members to also serve as planning board members. The Historic Preservation Board consists of Sharon Wisniewski, Jack Brennan and Tom Wagner. Haddox noted the preservation board members would have to meet the city residency requirements to serve on the planning board.
City Attorney Becky Vose noted the state of Florida has a dual office holding prohibition that would prevent someone from simultaneously serving on the planning board and the historic preservation board, but the city commission could adopt a “work-around” ordinance that allows that to happen.
“I would certainly support that,” Haddox said.
“I think we should pursue getting joint membership,” Copeland said in agreement.
Haddox said Mayor Mark Short also proposed another possible solution: If more than one person applies to fill a vacant city commission seat, the person, or persons, not appointed could be invited to serve on the planning board.
Copeland said the Planning and Zoning Board has been a “stepping stone” for many Anna Maria commissioners, including himself, Short and Crane.
No formal action was taken on these discussion items but City Planner Ashley Austin said she would draft some proposed language to discuss again at a future meeting.
