Council OKs design plan for Seven Islands
Despite one last plea by Councilmember Rick Williams to scale back the building height plan for the Seven Islands project, City Council voted 6-2 Monday night to proceed with the consulting firm’s design plan for up to eight stories.
Williams and Councilmember Jessica Cosden continued their objection to the eight-story plan in addition to the possibility of cut and fill to accommodate construction plans.
“This is a very environmentally sensitive area,” said Williams. “This is an estuary, not a canal. We might even have environmentalists all over us before it’s done. We should not be destroying that area with cut and fill.”
Preferring a less dense development, Cosden added, “If we don’t approve this tonight we can go back and look at other options. I won’t be supporting this resolution that will have a major impact on the city for years to come.”
Councilmember John Carioscia pointed out that other major projects like the Midpoint Bridge, the Westin at Tarpon Point and Gulf Harbour all faced opposition by residents.
“Those projects are all being accepted and were beneficial to this city,” said Carioscia. “I ask where would we be today without those projects if we listened to 50 people standing against them?”
Councilmember Richard Leon offered, “All we are voting on tonight is a concept. A developer will ultimately decide what they can do. Nobody knows if there will be cut and fill and we won’t know what will come to there until a developer steps forward with a plan.”
With Monday’s approval, City Manager John Szerlag and his staff will develop a work plan immediately to include land use designations, any necessary comprehensive plan amendments, zoning and infrastructure requirements. The city also must decide if it will serve as the developer, sell the property or accept a public-private partnership proposal.
Features of the selected plan from consultant CPH Inc. include a marina, community center, multi-family residential and a resort hotel with a maximum height of eight stories.
Neighbors who spoke to council Monday night expressed concerns for boating safety with increased traffic, welfare of manatees and other wildlife and destruction of nature views by eight-story structures.
Other council business
Other business before council included the annual appointment of a mayor pro tem and approving new chair and vice-chair recommendations for the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Current Mayor Pro Tem Rick Williams was appointed to serve another year in appreciation for the work he has done over the past 12 months. The mayor pro teem serves when the mayor is unavailable in addition to duties as council office manager.
Carioscia was approved to become the chair of the CRA with Marilyn Stout selected for the vice-chair. Those appointments were made before Monday’s council meeting during a brief CRA Commission meeting.
The next CRA board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 12 while City Council meets again on Monday at City Hall.