Is the Lo’ Key in the right location?

As previously reported in the Observer, the Planning and Zoning Board met recently and approved an exception to current zoning to allow for a bar and restaurant to be built on Tarawitt Drive. The address for this bar and restaurant is Gulf of Mexico Drive, but the only entrance and exit to this facility is on Tarawitt. That fact is significant. All the facilities and parking are on this predominantly residential street. The P&Z Board was well aware of this, and it is the main reason why two similar proposals were unanimously rejected by the board. To be fair, the new plans submitted are much improved from the previous ones. 

Despite claims to the contrary, congestion, traffic, noise, lighting, safety, potential unlawful beach access and other quality of life issues for residents nearby, although somewhat mitigated by zoning restrictions, are major problems. Common sense would dictate that adding several hundred people gathering indoors and out in a party-like atmosphere, probably from early morning to 10 p.m., on a narrow street is not going to create a good experience for those living in the area. 

I personally like bars, restaurants and businesses in general. As with anything, they should be located appropriately and, if so, supported by the local population. And yes, the small parcel where this bar/ restaurant and required parking is located at the entrance to Tarawitt Drive is commercially zoned. It does not however permit a bar or restaurant. We knew this when we purchased our home some 40 years ago. The individual who purchased this property recently was also well aware of the zoning restrictions. There is a world of difference between a bar/restaurant and a barber shop, beauty salon, art studio, offices, etc. That is why an exception had to be granted. 

Even though P&Z stated that the initial decision to put any form of commercial zoning on a residential street made no sense, the board decided to double down on a dumb idea and potentially create a much worse situation. There were many people, including neighbors and friends, at the hearing who spoke out in favor of approving this exception. Most only spend a few months or less on Longboat and are basically here on vacation. They spoke of the perceived convenience of and dire need for more bars and restaurants. They may be right and their opinions are certainly respected. There are currently no fewer than 10 establishments within a quarter-mile mile radius of Tarawitt Drive where people can obtain food and alcoholic beverages. 

During the season, virtually all the restaurants and bars on Longboat are filled, including the really poor ones. Many of the seats in these places are not filled by Longboat Key residents or guests. A very high percentage come from off the Island because getting on Longboat during the late afternoon/ evening is easy. It is highly doubtful that more restaurants/bars will create less traffic as some have suggested. 

The P&Z Board has a very difficult job to perform and quite often it comes down to balancing the needs of the whole community with the needs of some individuals. Most of the time they are correct in their decisions and they are to be thanked for their hard work. 

In this case, in my opinion, they chose to ignore their sworn oath to be unbiased and impartial when voting. It was clear before, during and after that there was a desire to push this for approval. It is doubtful that if any member of this board had to vote on a measure that would place a bar/restaurant either next to or adjacent to their homes that they would have voted affirmatively. 

As mentioned earlier, I do not object to bars or restaurants and certainly not the individuals who are going to open the Lo’ Key Island Grill. They are to be congratulated for their vision and tenacity. 

Hopefully, all those who have cheered on this approval are correct, and I am wrong in believing that placing a bar/restaurant on a residential street is a negative measure. 

— Richard Sontag, Longboat Key