Sarasota County commissioners opened the floor for public comments on the matter during their meeting Wednesday morning.
SIESTA KEY, Florida – A developer hopes to find a High-rise hotel with 170 rooms in Siesta Key Village, a popular destination for Sarasota tourists and locals alike.
In order to make this a reality, however, the property developer needs a special permit as the hotel’s plans exceed the current zone guidelines in the region.
The issue has become a point of contention between those looking to evolve Siesta Key to keep up with the area’s rapid growth and those living in the area who don’t want their homes to be overrun with high-rise hotels.
The developer’s proposal is divided into two proposals: one aiming to change the development process for hotel projects by lifting the restrictions on density and one aiming for a special exemption for building a hotel higher than that current height limit is.
As it stands, Siesta Key Hotels cannot exceed 35 feet in height. The proposed hotel between Beach Road and Calle Miramar would reach 25 meters. It would also exceed the density limit of 26 units per acre with 170 rooms.
During the Sarasota district officers meeting Representatives of the property developer presented arguments for the hotel project to progress on Wednesday.
Land use attorney Bill Merrill argued that hotels should not have density restrictions as they are built for commercial purposes.
Kelley Klepper, vice president of planning and development firm Kimley-Horn, cited the 12- and 17-story Terrace East and Beach Terrace buildings south of Siesta Key Village as an argument that the proposed hotel would match the existing surroundings.
A number of supporters reiterated their arguments, adding that they would love the option for visitors to stay in a hotel right on the island.
“I fully support the plan proposed today for the hotel on the key,” said Kimberly MacDonald, a Sarasota resident and owner of a real estate company. “I have a lot of customers who would love the opportunity to stay in a high-end hotel on the siesta instead of downtown or St. Armands …”
Opponents of the hotel development repeatedly raised the existing comprehensive plan, saying the restrictions were put in place for good reason.
Robert Infanger called the proposal “very unpopular and extremely harmful … for all residents across Sarasota County”.
“I’m not here to convince you, but to remind you that public safety is the government’s most important role,” said Lourdes Ramirez.
The future of the planned hotel on Calle Miramar is still in the air. But even if a decision is made, it probably won’t be the end of the Siesta Key push for high-rise hotels.
Several other Siesta Key hotel plans are pending county approval to move forward, including one that is proposed seven-story hotel with up to 120 rooms on Stickney Point Road near the South Bridge to Siesta Key.
