Hotel Density Debate Ended With Compromise

At the April 17 City Council meeting more than 300 people came to City Hall to hear the council debate a proposed hotel density increase in the city, most of whom live in Sand Key. Many spoke about how more hotel rooms at the Marriott and Sheraton would ruin their view and their neighborhood.

Last year Pinellas County approved a boost in hotel room density to encourage developers to build hotels instead of condos. Cities like Clearwater, which wants more mid-price hotels, are deciding whether to adopt the county density plan which would let builders add 50 to 150 percent more hotel rooms per acre.

Clearwater Vice Mayor and long time Sand Key resident George Cretekos made a motion to reduce the proposed increase in density by 10 percent, which is lower than the county desity plan. The council unanimously approved his motion.

City Council opted to reduce the number of rooms allowed by the county by 10 percent and not to apply the rules to any land zoned commercial, eliminating the chance a developer would build a hotel on such property.
However, the council did sign off on a plan allowing land zoned "tourist" receive higher hotel room density. Instead of 50 rooms per acre, developers can now build 70 units on parcels of less than an acre; 90 units an acre on 1- to 3-acre parcels and 110 units an acre on parcels larger than 3 acres.

Whale Sighted Off Sand Key

Photo by CJ Peppe
A whale was spotted about 500 yards off Sand Key, just south of Clearwater Pass.

There are whales out in the Gulf, but experts say it's very rare to see them so close to shore because the prefer cooler, deeper waters. Pictures were sent to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see if experts there can identify the type of whale it was.

Clearwater Aquarium Free To Sand Key Friday

Sand Key residents are invited to a free evening at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Friday April 25th, from 5:30 to 9 pm. The aquarium recently intalled a 125 seat theater and made other renovations. Refreshments will be available for purchase. The aquarium is located at 249 Windward Passage on Island Estates.

Sand Key Real Estate Transactions - March 2008

The following sales closed in March 2008. Data is obtained from the local Realtor MLS.
Property Address / Subdivision / Sale Price / # Days On Market
1230 Gulf Blvd #1805 / Landmark Towers / $210,000 / 98
1340 Gulf Blvd #17C / Crescent Beach Club/ $200,000 / 79
1651 Gulf Blvd #540 / Harborage Condo / $370,000 / 135
1501 Gulf Blvd #108 / Sand Key Condo South / $437,500 / 301
1660 Gulf Blvd #517 / Dans Island / $437,000 / 148
1390 Gulf Blvd #303 / Clearwater Sand Key/ $475,000 / 12
1310 Gulf Blvd #12G / Crescent Beach Club/ $725,000 / 6
1586 Gulf Blvd #2304 / Cabana Club Cndo / $800,000 / 0
1540 Gulf Blvd #1401 / Ultimar II / $750,000 / 41

Average Sales Price $501,611 Average number of days on market 103
For more Sand Key Real Estate information & a Free CMA for your Sand Key Condo
call PropCo Real Estate 727-585-0800, or visit SandKeyProperty.com

Annual Sport Fest At Sand Key Park April 19th

The 2008 annual Sport Fest will be held at Sand Key Park on April 19th. 4000 employees representing 160 companies will compete in volleyball, tug-of-war, dodgeball, tub dash, and horseshoes. For more information visit http://www.sportsfest.com/

Clearwater Wants To Be "Coast Guard City"

The Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater is the largest and busiest in the service. Every day crews fly missions the eastern Gulf down to South America and the Caribbean. About 600 personnel are stationed at the air station and at Sand Key.

The Navy League wants to help Clearwater apply to become a “Coast Guard City", Becoming a Coast Guard City is a great honor, giving a city prestige and “bragging rights”. There’s a long list of criteria and the commandant must recommend the city to Congress. Once the application is filed, inquiries are made to junior enlisted personnel asking how the city treats them. It could take 1 or 2 years, and community support is needed.

The first “Coast Guard City” was Grand Haven, Mich., which received its designation in the 1920s. Some other Coast Guard Cities are Alameda, Calif.; Mobile, Ala.; and Wilmington, N.C.

The Navy League was founded by Teddy Roosevelt in 1902 to remind the public of seamen and their dedication to our country. The league supports the Merchant Marine, The Coast Guard, the Marine Corps and the Navy. The Clearwater Council adopted the air station a few years ago.

Claudia Huber, chair of the chamber’s tourism and marketing committee and sales and marketing director of the Holiday Inn Gulfview, is working to get local businesses involved. “Our committee took this on as a project and we expect it will take a year or two to meet all the criteria. The Coast Guard wants to be sure we appreciate them,” she said.

Huber outlined some plans that are under consideration, including welcome packets for new Coast Guard personnel and families, and pertinent information on schools, doctors, recreation, restaurants, hotels, etc. There is also talk of organizing events in Clearwater that recognize the service.

Citizens Protest Taxes

The Clearwater Beach Property Tax Relief Fund (CB-PTRF), has been formed to protest unfair property tax assessments and explore legal options for residents of north or south Clearwater Beach, Sand Key and Island Estates who are unhappy property tax assessments, which in many cases far exceeds current market values.

The CB-PTRF is in the process of engaging legal counsel to lead a proactive effort for fair appraisals. Once representation is chosen, a town meeting will be organized. Residents are asked to donate $50 to the CB-PTRF to fund to cover legal and administrative costs. If you want to learn more about how you can support CB-PTRF, please e-mail w2smith@aol.com. You can send contributions to CB-PTRF, 868 Bayway Blvd., Unit #112, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767.