New coalition discusses north end erosion issues

More than 100 north end residents and business owners packed the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, March 20 for the first forum of the newly formed North End Coalition of Property Owners.

The group, which consists of north end property owners and associations, discussed a variety of topics that included beach renourishment, canal dredging and north end redevelopment.

Town Manager Dave Bullock and District 5 Longboat Key Town Commissioner Pat Zunz updated those in attendance on pressing town issues.

Zunz urged those in attendance not to lose sight of how they first came to the Key.

“Most people say they originally came here as a visitor,” Zunz said. “So we need to not get too hung up on divides between residents and visitors. We need to recognize we all have something here we can enjoy.”

Something Zunz and others think all citizens will enjoy is a future town center, but Zunz noted the Urban Land Institute (ULI) report states that upgrades are needed for the north end of the Key as well.

“For the north end, they (ULI panelists) noticed we need something that announces you are here on Longboat Key,” said Zunz, noting a small boutique hotel with a mix of shops might be a future asset for the north end.

Bullock told those in attendance that erosion on the north end is the town’s top priority.

“If we do nothing, erosion will continue to cut into the mangroves and we will lose property to waves,” Bullock said.

Bullock said a plan to install two concrete groins and fill the area with sand every four to eight years is not a perfect solution, but it will hold sand on that portion of the Key longer.

“We have our work cut out for us,” Bullock said.

Bullock explained the town is working to place sand there this summer and said he is hopeful the town will receive a federal permit soon to install the groins in summer 2015.

Coalition organizer Denton Crews said the group formed “to preserve a balance between historic character and to try to address appropriate growth and change for the area.”

For more information on the north end group, email [email protected] or call 383-0001.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected]