INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – Although the Indian Rocks Beach City Commission rejected a bid by a developer to put a Public store and condominiums in the 2500 block of Gulf Boulevard, the developer has not given up.
Danny Taylor, the city’s planning director, reviewed an alternative proposal from the developer after the commission’s action in passing an ordinance denying the planned construction.
In a memo to the commission, Taylor said “The new proposal calls for retail and a bank on the west side of the property and townhouse/condos on the east side of the property.”
Taylor said the developer indicated that there may be a request for a variance to seek additional condos on the west side (bordering Gulf Boulevard) of the property.
Originally, the developer sought a three story building that included the supermarket and 24 condominium units.
Language in the initiative that was proposed by the developer is undergoing court review because the commission said it was vague and illegal.
The proposed language was as follows –
“Do you approve the rezoning of the city block between Gulf Boulevard, First Street, 25th Avenue and 26th Avenue to a planned unit development and granting variances and other approvals necessary to construct a multiuse, three-story building consisting of no more than a street level grocery of 30,065 square feet with 29 ground level parking spaces and loading zone, second level parking for 119 vehicles and 24 condominium units on the third level?"
Criticism of that language included confusion and that more than one question was being asked.
Too much density is an issue the commission is wrestling with.