Residents Appeal Cabana Club Decision

Five residents from the Save Our Neighborhood organization have appealed the Clearwater Community Development Board’s decision to allow Belleview Biltmore, LLC, to build a 38-room hotel and 165-seat restaurant on its Cabana Club site on Sand Key.They claim it would reduce the value of 110 nearby homes by an average of $75,000 each and would make an already bad parking situation worse. There have been issues with Cabana Club patrons parking in in the driveway of the Cabana Club condos, blocking emergency vehicle access, and parking in condo owners parking spaces. The sides agree that there will be some decrease of nearby property values, but there is disagreement on the amount. Experts for the applicant testified that the reductions would be in the 7 to 10 percent range. Save Our Neighborhood claims they will total $8.35 million.

Cabana Club Plans Approved

The Clearwater Community Development Board unanimously approved plans to redevelop the Cabana Club on Sand Key. The Cabana Club property, which will be an annex for the Belleview Biltmore in Belleair, will include a six-story, 38-room Victorian-style boutique hotel and a new 4,981-square-foot restaurant. New Florida-friendly landscaping will be installed throughout the site.

Sand Key Real Estate Transactons- August 2008

The following sales closed in August 2008. Data is obtained from the local Realtor MLS

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

1340 Gulf Blvd #4G / Crescent Beach Club / $725,000 / 75
1520 Gulf Blvd #PH7 / Ultimar I / $600,000 / 122
1560 Gulf Blvd #1204 / Ultimar III / $600,000 / 128
1270 Gulf Blvd #1708 / Harbour Light Towers / $370,000 / 39
1520 Gulf Blvd #305 / Ultimar I / $335,000 / 141
1460 Gulf Blvd #1112 / Sand Key Condo South / $315,000 / 35
1301 Gulf Blvd #102 / Sand Key Condo Bayside / $215,000 / 112

Average Sales Price $451,429
Average number of days on market 93
Number of properties sold: 7

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

Civic Assocation Meeting Sept 3

On September 3rd, the Sand Key Civic Association will meet at the Clearwater Sailing Center at 7 pm. Red tide, Shoppes of Sand Key zoning, and Cabana Club development are on the agenda.

Sand Key Real Estate Transactions - July 2008

The following sales closed in July 2008. Data is obtained from the local Realtor MLS

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

1180 Gulf Blvd #505 / Grande on Sand Key/ $993,000 / 206
1310 Gulf Blvd #5G / Crescent Beach Club / $789,000 / 428
1290 Gulf Blvd #1001 / Lighthouse Towers / $650,000 / 141
1340 Gulf Blvd #14D / Crescent Beach Club/ $615,000 / 28
1180 Gulf Blvd #1804 / Grande on Sand Key/ $615,000 / 31
1520 Gulf Blvd #1807 / Ultimar I / $606,667 / 351
1520 Gulf Blvd #804 / Ultimar I / $525,000 / 597
1540 Gulf Blvd #807 / Ultimar II / $550,000 / 661
1430 Gulf Blvd #401 / Sand Key Condo South / $335,000 / 121
1520 Gulf Blvd #1405 / Ultimar I / $324,200 / 266
1460 Gulf Blvd #309 / Sand Key Condo / $320,000 / 83
1400 Gulf Blvd #305 / Sand Key Condo South / $320,000 / 257
1651 Sand Key Estates #41 / The Harborage / $339,000 / 68

Average Sales Price $534,067
Average number of days on market 249
Number of properties sold: 13

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

Planning Commission Meeting Rescheduled

The Clearwater Planning Commission meeting scheduled for August 19th to review the Cabana Club project has been postponed until September 16. A staff report was released indicating the proposed code deviations be granted with certain conditions. The complete report is available from the Clearwater City Planning Department.

On Tuesday, August 19th the Planning Commission will consider code deviation requests and review opposition to the project by Sand Key residents.

Legg Mason Real Estate Investors, Inc. purchased the Biltmore properties in 2007. The Cabana Club is the "beach resort" for the Belleview Biltmore. Renovation plans include a 1.5 mile ferry ride to shuttle guests to the club where they could enjoy the white sand, pool, and cabanas. Renovation of the club is expected to take 16 months.

Local residents oppose the project, claiming the area is not meant for commercial development and that the plans violate building codes. Also of concern is obstruction of thier gulf views and parking issues.

One variance they are requesting is a setback reduction along Gulf Boulevard. An increase in height of 25 feet to 67 feet is also being requested. 2 properties at 1350 and 1370 Gulf Boulevard have received variances to 80 feet within the past three years.