Longboat board honors member who died

Michael Warnstedt, a member of the seven-member Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board since 2021, was honored by the board on last week following his death Oct. 22. 

The St. Petersburg native was 76. 

Warnstedt lived in Longboat Key for about four years and worked as a Florida licensed commercial real estate broker for more than 40 years. He was sworn in to the volunteer position on the Planning and Zoning Board in April 2021.

At the start of the board's Nov. 15 meeting, fellow board members reflected on time spent serving with him. 

He was remembered for his knowledge, care for the community and kindness inside and outside of the board's meetings, which were more frequent during his tenure as they worked through each piece of the town's comprehensive plan. 

"Michael was a great guy," board member Gary Coffin said. "For two-and-a-half years, he sat next to me." 

Coffin remembered Warnstedt's "level-headed, cool, calm" demeanor. He described him as someone who always waited to have all the knowledge necessary before sharing his opinion or making a decision. 

"All around, he was just the kind of neighbor you would want to have," Coffin said. 

Family present at the meeting were presented with a certificate recognizing his time and effort spent serving the town on the board. 

Most recently, he aided in ensuring stormwater infrastructure was addressed in plans for the long-vacant Mote property, which is slated to have a three-story, eight-unit condominium building built on the land. 

Warnstedt's obituary posted on the Toale Brothers Funeral Home website described him as a loving life partner, father and grandfather. 

Before his career in real estate, he served in the United States Navy. He loved boating, aviation, reading maps and charts, meteorology, and his family. 

"He was a casual, confident and kind man who never met a stranger and was loved and adored by those that knew him," the obituary read. "...He experienced life to the fullest and was truly content at the time of his passing."

His obituary cited a common phrase said when Warnstedt was vacationing with family and friends: "the only only rule is there are no rules."

Ronald Ginsberg was selected to fill his seat on the Planning and Zoning Board at the Nov. 7 Town Commission meeting. 

Editor's note: This story has been updated with more information.