Short Term Rentals Back On For Clearwater Beach

The Florida Second District Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court ruling allowing residents to operate their homes as short term rentals. The city attempted to enforce a 2003 code banning short term rentals, but the 31 homeowners in the suit claim that they should be allowed to continue because they were renting short term prior to the 2003. The city has not decided whether to appeal, but will enforce the code on other properties. They will be monitoring the use of the 31 properties, and should it change they can lose their "grandfathering".

Sand Key Real Estate Transactions November 2007

The following residential sales closed in Novmeber 2007. Data is obtained from the local Realtor MLS.

Property Address / Subdivision / Sale Price / # Days On Market

1230 Gulf Blvd #1804/ Landmark Towers/ $310,000/ 134
1480 Gulf Blvd #302 /Sand Key Condo /$400,000/ 68
1340 Gulf Blvd #14-B / Crescent Beach Club / $534,000 /176
1540 Gulf Blvd #2001/ Ultimar / $875,000/ 137
1370 Gulf Blvd #301 / Bella Rosa / $925,000 /137

Average Sales Price$608,800
Average number of days on market 124

For more information on Sand Key Real Estate call PropCo Real Estate 727-585-0800

Holiday Boat Parade Schedule

The Memorial Holiday Boat Parade, one of Clearwater's best events, will be on December 9th. It is sponsored by the Island Estates Yacht Club. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. in Mandalay Channel between Island Estates and Clearwater Beach. The boats will navigate through Island Estates, & head toward Coachman Park where they will arrive at 8 pm. They will proceed under the Memorial Causeway Bridge, turning into the Clearwater Marina Channel, ending at the Clearwater Yacht Club where the judging will take place.

If you would like to register your vessel, contact Joel Briskman, Fleet Captain at 688-3144, 461-1147 or Email : joelbrisk@yahoo.com

Other boat parades:

December 1st - Dunedin Holiday Lighted Boat Parade 6-8 pm
December 8th - St Pete Beach Lighted Boat Parade 6 pm
December 8th - St Petersburg Lighted Boat Parade at the Pier 6:30 pm
December 9th - Treasure Island Lighted Boat Parade - Dusk
December 15th - Madeira Beach Holiday Boat Parade 6 pm
December 15th - Indian Rocks Beach Lighted Boat Parade 7 pm
December 16th - Indian Shores Annual Boat Parade 6 pm

Voice Your Opinion On Shoppes Zoning Change

The prospective new owner, who also own the neighboring Marriott, is requesting that the zoning be changed to "tourist". It is currently zoned as business. Both allow similar use, but different different density restrictions. The owners have expressed interest in replacing the Shoppes with another hotel building. Citizens are concerned about losing thier shops and restaurants, and also about the height of the building should the owners decide to add more hotel units. They could add as many as 125 units. The Community Redevelopment Board will meet on December 18th to discuss the issue. Citizens can voice their opinion by emailing steven.everitt@myclearwater.com.

Civic Association Tax Change Discussion Scheduled

The Civic Associations of Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, and Island Estates will hold a roundtable discussion on tax changes to be voted on in January. The meeting will be at the Sand Key Sailing Cenber at 7 pm on December 5th. In addition to Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, State Representative Jim Frishe, State Senator Dennis Jones, and Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Steel will be speakers.

Sand Key Shoppes in Jeopardy

The owners of the Sand Key Marriott are looking into the possiblity of replacing the Shoppes on Sand Key with hotel rooms. The Marriott owners currently have an option to purchase the neighboring property and are considering many things, including adding boat slips behind the existing hotel. Replacing the retail area with hotel rooms will require rezoning. The issue is expected to be put before the Clearwater City Council in January.

Sand Key Real Estate Transactions October 2007

The following residential sales closed in October 2007. Data is obtained from the local Realtor MLS.

Property Address / Subdivision / Sale Price / # Days On Market

1230 Gulf Blvd #1904/ Landmark Towers/ $350,000/ 263
1351 Gulf Blve #114 / Bayside Gardens III / $325,000 /177
1581 Gulf Blvd #501N /Harbour Condo/ $410,000/ 193
1430 Gulf Blvd #611 /Sand Key Condo South /$465,000/ 44
1586 Gulf Blvd #2403 / Cabana Club / $520,000 /35
1586 Gulf Blvd #1502 / Cabana Club / $572,500 /132
1560 Gulf Blvd #1604/ Ultimar III / $630,000/ 137
1520 Gulf Blvd #1503/ Ultimar I / $605,000 /404
1200 Gulf Blvd #1905/ Meridian on Sand Key /$2,079,000 /500

Average Sales Price$661,833
Average number of days on market 209

For more information on Sand Key Real Estate call PropCo Real Estate 727-585-0800