The density question

There are two requests on the town ballot for approval to add additional residential units to the Key.

Unicorp Development is seeking a 180-unit increase at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort site; Brista Homes is seeking 10 units at the vacant Mote Foundation property at 5630 Gulf of Mexico Drive.  

Each of them deserves separate consideration.

The Colony

The more you hear Orlando developer Chuck Whittall, the more you believe he has come around to understanding what Longboat Key is and what its residents want and don’t want.

To that end, it was encouraging to read late last week that Whittall announced he is downscaling his proposed five-star development for the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort property. He now says he wants to develop eight- and nine-story buildings, down from 11 and 12 stories; and reduce his request for additional residential density to 108 residential condominiums from 180.

He pledged — with earnest seriousness, we might add — at a Saturday forum of the Federation of Longboat Key Condominiums that he wants to develop a stunning, first-rate project that fits with Longboat Key’s character. 

Questioned Saturday by an audience member why Longboat Key would even want a five-star resort, Whittall was puzzled: “Why wouldn’t you?” Whittall always looks at the portion of the glass that is half full. When he thinks of the difference between a four-star and five-star resort, he thinks of the enhanced values created — not just for his property but for all of Longboat Key. Instead of $1 million in landscaping to buffer the redeveloped Colony along Gulf of Mexico Drive, he said, you would have $2 million with a five-star property. “Why wouldn’t you want that?” he asked.

Whittall’s compromise is a major step, and one that rational, forward-thinking Longboaters can embrace. We would support it. 

Unfortunately, Whittall’s recalibration for the Colony property is not likely to sway Longboat voters to move in his favor on the Colony density referendum on the town ballot — at least not this time. 

While Whittall is making the commitment before the election to downscale his project from its original size, the ballot question remains the same. It still will ask voters if they want to allow the Colony property to increase residential density to add 180 residential units.

But Longboaters are skeptical. A “yes” vote on this referendum would grant to the owner of the Colony property in perpetuity the ability to continue petitioning the town for up to 180 new units. As we know, Longboaters don’t want that.

Typically, we support wide development latitude for property owners. But knowing the history and character of Longboat, we’ve known from the start Whittall’s referendum wouldn’t fly. The reality is he’ll need to come back for another vote. 

Mote Foundation property

We made the case a month ago that Longboat voters should approve Brista Homes’ request to rezone the long-vacant Mote Foundation property at 5630 Gulf of Mexico Drive to residential use — allowing six units per acre, or in this case 10 units on the 1.82-acre property.

Believe it or not, converting this property from commercial to residential use would assure less intensive use and traffic. That’s always the case when you downzone. 

But a “yes” vote also would have this beneficial effect: It would add value to the Key, not just in tax revenue that will generate more than a vacant property, but also because 10 residential units will enhance the neighborhood.

There’s one more benefit: The $1.35 million sale price would give the Mote Foundation additional funds to support its environmental causes.

We recommend: Yes on the 5630 Gulf of Mexico Density; no on the Colony density.