Pinellas County - Clearwater Beach - Sand Key - Belleair Shore/Beach
Indian Rocks Beach - Indian Shores - Redington Shores - No. Redington Beach
Redington Beach - Madeira Beach - Treasure Island - St. Pete Beach
Residents oppose development
By Gina McPherson
SAND KEY – In June of last year Legg Mason LLC Real Estate Investment and Development Corporation purchased the Cabana Beach Club on Sand Key and the Belleview Biltmore in Belleair. The new owner is planning to renovate both properties with plans to upgrade the historic hotel to a four star resort.
Legg Mason Public Relations Consultant Amy McGuire said the company plans to invest $14 million for renovations to the property located at 1590 Gulfview Blvd. Planned for the site is a 38-room Victorian-style boutique hotel complete with new swimming pool, restaurant, parking lot and stormwater management system.
The developer is seeking several city code variances addressing building height, lot width and setback measurements.
Two civic groups, the Sand Key Neighborhood Association (SKNA) and Save Our Neighborhood (SON) oppose the project. At a May SKNA meeting, the board voiced concern that if Clearwater grants these variances, it may set a precedent for future developers that may expect the same flexibility. Some residents are also concerned that the height of the building may block the view afforded at neighboring condominiums.
McGuire said that the proposed height is lower than all 20 condominium buildings in the neighborhood and similar height variances have been granted to other projects on Sand Key.
Asked how developers go about receiving approval for requested variances to standard code, City Planner Wayne Wells said the city is allowed to grant certain flexibility but requests exceeding that flexibility are to be approved by the Community Development Board (CDB). A public hearing before the CDB is slated for Sept. 16 at Clearwater City Hall. Wells recommended the CDB grant the developer’s requests for variances.
SKNA and SON also opposed Legg Mason’s plans to place cabanas on 25 feet of hotel beach property that falls within the Coastal Construction Control Line. SON says this action will endanger a sea turtle habitat. SKNA indicated the cabanas would attract transients and create security problems for residents and police. Concerns also exist that the proposed number of parking spaces will not be adequate. McGuire noted the proposed 56 parking spaces exceed the 38 required by city code for a hotel of this size. She also indicated Legg Mason is not requesting the use of public beach for its cabanas and a security guard will be stationed on hotel property at night. Wells said approval for the beach cabanas is the responsibility of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
SON spokesperson Cynthia Remley said the organization “supports the redevelopment project but within the parameters of city code without the need for deviations.”
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