PNJ
Beach zoning request spurs high-rise fear
Hundreds petition to prevent high-population density housing
May 4, 2005
Fredie Carmichael@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
Hundreds petition to prevent high-population density housing
May 4, 2005
Fredie Carmichael@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
Robert E. Kotick Sr. is No. 352 on a list of people who want to make a statement to the Santa Rosa Island Authority: They don't want to see Pensacola Beach cluttered with high rises.
Want to go?WHAT: Santa Rosa Island Authority meeting.WHERE: Santa Rosa Island Authority office, 1 Via de Luna.WHEN: 5 p.m. today.As well as a hearing on the rezoning of the Clarion Suites Resort and Convention Center, tonight's meeting is expected to include discussions about Gulf Breeze officials' objections to the July Blue Angels air show on Pensacola Beach. Story, 4ABy Tuesday afternoon, 363 people had signed a petition declaring they were "opposed to high-population density housing, high-rise residences and high-rise hotels being constructed on Pensacola Beach to the extent that Pensacola Beach vacationers are drawn to the area by the tranquility and peacefulness of the low-density population residences.""I don't want it to become a high-rise jungle like Panama City," said Kotick, who resides in Santa Rosa Shores across Santa Rosa Sound from Pensacola Beach. The Island Authority's regular meeting is today, and a public hearing on the rezoning request is planned.The residents' main focus is expected to be the Island Authority's consideration of a request for the rezoning of the Clarion Suites Resort and Convention Center, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan and is in the island's commercial core. In February, John Pinzino and the other Clarion owners -- who make up the Sun Ray Village Owner's Association Inc. -- voted to sell their property, but they want it rezoned first.Pinzino said the owners want more units so they can make more money in the sale. Before Ivan, the hotel had 86 condo/hotel units and was zoned for as many as 120 units. The owners want the number of allowable units increased to 216. Pinzino said he doesn't think the rezoning request "should be an issue at all" because the rebuilt condo would be no taller than other nearby buildings.Regulations allow 18-story buildings from Springhill Suites by Marriott to the Holiday Inn. The remaining stretch of the island is restricted to 12-story buildings, except for a few properties, including Portofino, which were built up to 21 levels before the height restriction was passed."There are already zoning and height restrictions on the beach," Pinzino said. "This will not change anything."Some residents, however, worry that additional units would pave the way for a taller building, and they worry that if the Island Authority allows this change, others could follow.
Want to go?WHAT: Santa Rosa Island Authority meeting.WHERE: Santa Rosa Island Authority office, 1 Via de Luna.WHEN: 5 p.m. today.As well as a hearing on the rezoning of the Clarion Suites Resort and Convention Center, tonight's meeting is expected to include discussions about Gulf Breeze officials' objections to the July Blue Angels air show on Pensacola Beach. Story, 4ABy Tuesday afternoon, 363 people had signed a petition declaring they were "opposed to high-population density housing, high-rise residences and high-rise hotels being constructed on Pensacola Beach to the extent that Pensacola Beach vacationers are drawn to the area by the tranquility and peacefulness of the low-density population residences.""I don't want it to become a high-rise jungle like Panama City," said Kotick, who resides in Santa Rosa Shores across Santa Rosa Sound from Pensacola Beach. The Island Authority's regular meeting is today, and a public hearing on the rezoning request is planned.The residents' main focus is expected to be the Island Authority's consideration of a request for the rezoning of the Clarion Suites Resort and Convention Center, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan and is in the island's commercial core. In February, John Pinzino and the other Clarion owners -- who make up the Sun Ray Village Owner's Association Inc. -- voted to sell their property, but they want it rezoned first.Pinzino said the owners want more units so they can make more money in the sale. Before Ivan, the hotel had 86 condo/hotel units and was zoned for as many as 120 units. The owners want the number of allowable units increased to 216. Pinzino said he doesn't think the rezoning request "should be an issue at all" because the rebuilt condo would be no taller than other nearby buildings.Regulations allow 18-story buildings from Springhill Suites by Marriott to the Holiday Inn. The remaining stretch of the island is restricted to 12-story buildings, except for a few properties, including Portofino, which were built up to 21 levels before the height restriction was passed."There are already zoning and height restrictions on the beach," Pinzino said. "This will not change anything."Some residents, however, worry that additional units would pave the way for a taller building, and they worry that if the Island Authority allows this change, others could follow.
©The Pensacola News Journal
May 4, 2005
May 4, 2005
posted by Pensacola Beach No High Rises !! at 8:32 AM
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