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Letter to the editor

Zoning talk upsets Sand Key

Residents hear rumors and oppose changing Shoppes.

By MIKE DONILA, Times Staff Writer
Published December 11, 2007

CLEARWATER - This much is known: An Ohio-based development company wants to buy the Shoppes on Sand Key.

But what will happen to the strip mall is anyone's guess. And rumors are flying.

In the past month or so, residents have heard the small strip of businesses along the bay will become a hotel. Or maybe a condo tower. They've also heard developers plan to build docks and boat slips along the nearby waterfront.

Other rumors have Ohio-based Cedarwood Development - which also owns the nearby Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites - ready to scoop up the city-owned sailing center, too.

So far, however, no plans have been submitted to the city.

Still, residents are concerned because this 3-acre strip is the only retail area in Sand Key. It's the one place where they can get their nails done, grab a doughnut and a cup of coffee, or purchase a pair of swimming goggles.

Anchored by Backwater's, a restaurant known for its steaks and seafood, this strip at 1261 Gulf Blvd. also includes an Italian restaurant, a men's clothing store and a bank.

Business owners and beach residents say they've heard the rumors and are worried about the strip's future. Some are ready to fight.

"It's such a hot topic on the island - everybody is trying to find out what's going on," said Larry Edger, who owns Backwater's and operates www.sandkey blog.com.

"There's an extreme amount of concern from the residents because they don't want to lose the services and conveniences of the shops ... but they're also concerned about their real estate investments and the quality of life," he said.

Cedarwood wants the city to attach a "tourist" zoning designation to the land. The parcel technically isn't zoned for anything, which is unusual.

Here's what happened:

About 20 years ago, a spat between then-property owner U.S. Steel and the city was resolved when a judge ruled the land should be zoned for "business," allowing the developer to build up to 85,000 square feet of shops and restaurants and either a 110-room condo or a 220-room hotel.

That designation, though, expired in October 2006. "Business" is no longer a zoning category used by the city.

Cedarwood now wants city officials to designate the property "tourist," which allows restaurants, hotels and condominiums, and is consistent with nearby zoning.

"It's a simple matter of putting zoning on property that doesn't have zoning today," said Kevin Fallon, Cedarwood vice president.

Fallon, who said his company doesn't have any development plans in place, referred further comments to Clearwater-based attorney Ed Armstrong.

"I'm not sure why everyone is up in arms," Armstrong said. "'Tourist' is less intensive than 'business' zoning."

Armstrong said he doesn't know the developer's plans. He conceded boat slips have been mentioned but "nothing has been finalized."

The city's Community Development Board, which makes recommendations to the City Council, will further discuss the issue at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at City Hall.

That meeting is expected to be packed with upset Sand Key residents.

Edger said some have told him they want to make it difficult for the developer and plan to challenge Cedarwood at every step. He said he would like to see everyone "sit down and talk about it and get somewhere in between."

In the meantime, Marcia Spetzler, the owner of the Merry Mouse souvenir and gift shop for the past nine years, says she has mixed emotions about the issue.

She doesn't want to leave, but realizes the property owner probably has to sell because of the rising taxes on the land.

Kim Nguyen, co-owner of Golden Nails, said her customers are upset about the proposal and are not sure what they will do.

"No one wants to drive to Clearwater Beach because of the traffic and the construction," said Nguyen, 23, who has operated the store for the past two years.

But before anything can happen, city officials need to review the zoning.

"The classification has expired and that's what we need to get updated," said Sand Key resident and City Council member George Cretekos. "And it doesn't mean that we're going to automatically lose the retail shops."

[Last modified December 10, 2007, 20:38:58]