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Developer plans to preserve part of Biltmore
Plans for the hotel, and plans to build homes on the golf course, met criticism from residents.
By LORRI HELFAND
Published September 16, 2005
BELLEAIR - DeBartolo Development finally confirmed Thursday that it plans to save the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa.
But only part of it. The developer intends to preserve the original 145-room portion built by Henry Plant in 1895.
The rest of the 400-room hotel would be demolished to make way for 180 condominiums.
Company officials tried to sell their vision to the town commission and hundreds of residents at a meeting Thursday.
They also tried to convince them they needed a pedestrian-friendly village like Disney's Celebration on the hotel's 136-acre golf course.
The audience, however, wasn't buying it.
They booed, hissed and laughed at Ed Kobel, president of DeBartolo Development, and other representatives of his team.
For months, DeBartolo had said little about its plans for the hotel, leading many to fear the Biltmore would be demolished.
"I don't know who these men are that are coming to town to tell us how to do this town," Scott Rogers told commissioners. "These people are not right. Do not allow these people to Californicate this town." Kobel tried to sweeten the deal by offering improved sewer and water service, underground utilities and an upgrade of the community center.
At one point, Kobel held up a portrait of the original hotel, while DeBartolo's attorney, Ron Weaver, explained their plan to save the hotel.
A handful of residents spoke, urging preservation of the entire hotel, but dozens assailed DeBartolo for its plans for the golf course.
Called Belleair Park, the golf course plan features tree-lined streets with 203 single-family homes on large and small lots, and 164 two- and three-story townhomes and town square residences.
The plan, designed by the Evans Group, an Orlando architectural firm, divides the 136-acre golf course into north and south "villages," with a new town hall, library, fitness center, pools and cabana clubs.
"This is a grandiose plan and it may be nice for Celebration or Disney World, but it's not for the heart of Belleair," said former Mayor Connie Mudano.
[Last modified September 16, 2005, 01:36:17]
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