Former bank to be new hot spot
HOLMES BEACH — A new family-friendly complex is coming to the corner of Gulf and Marina Drives now that city leaders have approved the site plan.
Business owner Jake Spooner is planning a second Island Bazaar at the new location with a putt-putt course, a fudge shop, a candy shop, an arcade and a second-floor restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. The original Island Bazaar is at 3304 E. Bay Drive. Spooner’s Bridge Street Bazaar is at 107 Bridge St. in Bradenton Beach.
The site covers 1.3 acres and is planned to feature three separate buildings – one where the former Wells Fargo bank building is, a smaller one where the drive-through lanes were located on the east side of the bank, and a third for storage and the arcade. The smaller building will be home to a candy shop on the bottom floor and a fudge shop on the top.
The restaurant, which Spooner said would be leased to an independent operator, is planned to have 26 outdoor seats and 100 indoor seats.
The putt-putt course is planned for the area previously paved for the drive-through bank lanes. Mark Smith, who presented the plan for the property to commissioners, said a 6-foot tall fence would be installed to prevent golf balls from going into traffic and being a hazard on the road. The property is also planned to be surrounded by landscaping to reduce noise and potential hazards.
While commissioners and city staff spoke in favor of the project, noting that it ticks all of the boxes to receive a special exception as laid out in the city’s ordinances and land development code, residents weren’t as enthusiastic.
Resident Margie Motzer questioned the amplified music planned as background music for the putt-putt course. She said she felt the project would cause disruption for nearby residents.
Adjacent residential property owner Dan Howl said he felt it was a very intense use for the area and doesn’t want to see parking for the entertainment facility overflowing into adjacent parking lots or onto his street, Sunrise Lane. Howl said he’d like to see the traffic study that was completed for the project.
City Engineer Chad Minor noted in his staff report approving the project that he saw no significant traffic impact to the area as a result of the installment of the planned entertainment facility.
Resident Debbie Danziger said she’s concerned that the project will adversely affect residents and significantly impact traffic flow along Marina and Gulf drives.
“You’re just asking for trouble,” she said.
“I love the idea. I love the presentation. I’m just not sure we can accommodate it physically,” Anna Maria resident Perry Parkman said.
“All of the people involved in this project are Island residents,” Jason Sato said in defense of the planned complex. “Jake (Spooner) wants to be a good neighbor. Traffic is always going to be bad. It’s a bigger problem than one business.”
“I approve the project,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said during comments. “I think it’s a good one.” She said she has some concerns about the multitude of businesses planned for the site but thinks those issues will resolve themselves once construction gets underway and the project owners see what demand there is in the city for the planned services.
Once the vote was taken, Spooner stood to address commissioners and members of the public assembled for the meeting.
“Thank you very much,” Spooner said. “We’re going to be good neighbors.”
