ZBA chairman resigns, opposes board's elimination

Zoning Board of Adjustment Chairman Ben Feole announced his resignation from the board at its Feb. 13 meeting, citing family and medical issues.

But, although he will no longer be a part of the board, he hopes the ZBA will remain a part of Longboat Key’s government.

The Longboat Key Town Commission voted 7-0 in November to place a referendum question on the March 25 ballot asking voters whether to eliminate the ZBA because of the board’s difficulty reaching a quorum. The town learned in January that it had missed a Dec. 31 deadline to provide ballot language to the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office.

Reading from a statement at the ZBA meeting, Feole explained why he believes the board is important and its duties shouldn’t be transferred to the Planning & Zoning Board.

He cited the P&Z Board’s high workload as an example.

“I would propose that we retain the board as is and give people an opportunity to be members of this community in full force and activity,” Feole said.

Board member Thomas Bijou was not present at the meeting, but the remaining three members agreed with Feole.

Board members Gaele Barthold and Jean White nodded their heads in agreement.

Barthold urged the commission to “make sufficient appointments soon so we can continue to operate in an optimum way.”

Board member Chuck Fuller said the commission needs to do a better job of vetting applicants for the ZBA.

“They have to make a positive effort, to find people who are not only qualified but who are able to attend these things,” he said.

Feole’s departure brings the number of vacant seats on the board to three. If the seats remain unfilled, all four members of the ZBA will need to be present at meetings to obtain a quorum.

The commission discussed the ZBA’s future at its Tuesday workshop and adressed the concerns of Feole, who also spoke at the workshop.

“I don’t think there’s a person sitting up here or a person in the audience who doesn’t want more citizen participation,” Younger said.

But referring to the ZBA, Younger said, “We can’t even get participation by the people who are on it.”

The commission reached consensus to forward an ordinance to its next meeting that allows the town to refer cases to the planning board if the ZBA cannot reach a quorum in 30 days and reduces the number of seats on the board from seven to five.

The town has received one application for ZBA in the past year.

“The zoning board is not considered, for whatever reason, a desirable board,” said Commissioner Pat Zunz.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]