FYI
SRIA rejects further regulations on Condo-hotels BY LISA NEWELL Gulf Breeze News lisa@gulfbreezenews.com
The Santa Rosa Island Authority rejected on a 3-0 vote, a proposal to further limit condo hotel size and amenities at its March 8 committee meeting.
At issue was whether to require 90 percent of new condo/hotel units to be under 500 square feet, and limit the number of amenities in the condo hotels.
The SRIA's motive in proposing the rule was to prevent condo/hotels from being made so large they could eventually accommodate a long term resident, effectively shutting out the tourist trade.
"The present requirement of the Escambia County Land Development Code is that 90 percent of the units have to average 500 sq. ft. or less. Ten percent of the units can be any size and can only be owner occupied for two weeks in any calendar year," said Mary Bolman, SRIA staff member.
Representatives from many of the Island's development firms addressed the board, telling them that imposing limits would be a mistake.
Jeff Townsend, representing Julian MacQueen's Innisfree Corporation, said that limits such as the one the SRIA was proposing would eliminate at least 12 mostly all suite franchises from investing on Pensacola Beach. Townsend said these suites average 650 square feet per unit, depending on the locality.
Mal Williams, co-owner of the demolished Five Flags Inn, told the board that the regulation would place an unfair burden on the hotelier.
"I urge you not to place any regulation on us that would keep us from being competitive or limit the type of franchises that we can talk to," Williams said.
Williams' partner, Baker Clark, said his research showed that one one of 62 counties imposed size limits on condo/hotels.
"Escambia County," Clark said. "One county, Franklin, has a drafted ordinance with a 750 sq. ft. limit but no limit on stay. Escambia County is about to get out of the loop with the whole state if we adopt this regulation."
Joe Endry of JME Real Estate said the real competition lies outside the area.
"Our real competition is Destin, Biloxi, Gulfport ... putting restrictions on the size of the units would be a huge mistake," Endry said.
The issue will be brought up again at the April 5 meeting for final approval.
The Santa Rosa Island Authority rejected on a 3-0 vote, a proposal to further limit condo hotel size and amenities at its March 8 committee meeting.
At issue was whether to require 90 percent of new condo/hotel units to be under 500 square feet, and limit the number of amenities in the condo hotels.
The SRIA's motive in proposing the rule was to prevent condo/hotels from being made so large they could eventually accommodate a long term resident, effectively shutting out the tourist trade.
"The present requirement of the Escambia County Land Development Code is that 90 percent of the units have to average 500 sq. ft. or less. Ten percent of the units can be any size and can only be owner occupied for two weeks in any calendar year," said Mary Bolman, SRIA staff member.
Representatives from many of the Island's development firms addressed the board, telling them that imposing limits would be a mistake.
Jeff Townsend, representing Julian MacQueen's Innisfree Corporation, said that limits such as the one the SRIA was proposing would eliminate at least 12 mostly all suite franchises from investing on Pensacola Beach. Townsend said these suites average 650 square feet per unit, depending on the locality.
Mal Williams, co-owner of the demolished Five Flags Inn, told the board that the regulation would place an unfair burden on the hotelier.
"I urge you not to place any regulation on us that would keep us from being competitive or limit the type of franchises that we can talk to," Williams said.
Williams' partner, Baker Clark, said his research showed that one one of 62 counties imposed size limits on condo/hotels.
"Escambia County," Clark said. "One county, Franklin, has a drafted ordinance with a 750 sq. ft. limit but no limit on stay. Escambia County is about to get out of the loop with the whole state if we adopt this regulation."
Joe Endry of JME Real Estate said the real competition lies outside the area.
"Our real competition is Destin, Biloxi, Gulfport ... putting restrictions on the size of the units would be a huge mistake," Endry said.
The issue will be brought up again at the April 5 meeting for final approval.
posted by Pensacola Beach No High Rises !! at 9:47 AM
2 comments
