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Tag: Holmes Beach construction

Letter to the Editor: Leaders, preserve Island character

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

Years ago, I attended the Aqua by the Bay hearings where I was introduced to a typical MO: A corporation requests a special exception which is not supposed to have a negative impact, but it usually does. It’s a trade-off. A site plan is approved that disturbs the public and/or environment to the benefit of a private entity.

Many experienced people like Joe McClash and Jane von Hahmann spoke with great detail showing how the request did not comply with the comp plan or code. It was said that their $25 drawing was even more detailed than the applicant’s. The county chambers were overflowing. However, as we well know, the county approved the plan anyway.

Subsequently, the corporation bulldozed a conservation area and backpedaled on a stipulation giving the public a checkpoint on progress. Issues related to a retaining wall and mangrove trimmings ensued. It was only through the persistence of environmental groups that prompted DEP intervention. But the damage was already done.

Within a 900-foot radius in Holmes Beach between city hall and city center, minimally, there have been special exceptions in Resolutions 14-04, 16-07, 17-03, 22-08, and a settlement in the residential zone. In addition, during a recent site plan review, it was discovered that there had been egregious unacknowledged special exceptions over the years. Honoring and allowing special exceptions while saying that you are adhering to the code seems like an oxymoron.

It is these repeated approvals of special exceptions and the unaddressed violations which chip away at the intended city character which is well outlined in the comprehensive plan and code.

Lack of space is a common denominator of many of our city issues, and it is the density related to these special exceptions that is creating a negative impact. There will be a trade-off; testimonials are abundant from residents who have moved, as well as the dwindling few who remain.

Residents are not asking for special exceptions when they desire a normal quality of life that is promised in the code. We ask city leaders to please have vision and preserve the unique Island character.

 

Margie Motzer

Holmes Beach

City center project set for September start date

City center project set for September start date

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders have spent more than a year planning for improvements to be made at city center, the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives, but those plans haven’t had an anticipated start date – until now.

City Engineer Sage Kamiya gave commissioners an update on the project, which included a note that construction on the project is currently planned to begin as soon as mid-September, depending on when Manatee County’s force main project construction wraps up on Holmes Boulevard. He said the force main project is almost complete in that area, which will open it up to serve as a detour during the city center project when construction closes part or all of the Gulf and Marina Drive intersection to traffic.

Several different types of improvements are planned for the area with the goal of making it safer for all types of users, from pedestrians to bicyclists and drivers. For pedestrians, new sidewalks are planned for installation, along with new streetlights and lighted crosswalks. New bicycle lanes also are planned in addition to a larger turn lane going north from Gulf to Marina Drive. New landscaping along the corridor is also planned for installation.

Once the project begins, construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of the calendar year in time for the winter tourist season.