No to Zoning Shoppes on Sand Key TouristThe City Council of Clearwater will consider on March 20th, a zoning action that would zone the Shoppes on Sand Key to "T" Tourist. In the strongest possible terms, I and many of my fellow Sand Key residents oppose this action. Sand Key is a residential community and needs to remain a residential community. I am not against development; I am in favor of improvements in line with the long-range goal of preserving Sand Key as a residential community - improvements which could become a model for other residential beach communities. Myself and numerous other Sand Key residents would be pleased to work with the City's planning staff in developing such as plan as was done for Island Estates. Also, I am concerned about the City extending the County's new high density rules for overnight accommodations to Sand Key. If this application is approved, it could very well mean the destruction of the Shoppes and in their place another hotel. Again, we are a residential community - not a tourist area like Clearwater Beach . I ask that the Mayor & City Council members seriously consider the input and voice of the many Sand Key residents who have spoken out against the zoning to "T" Tourist. Sand Key provides about 17% of Clearwater's tax base while sending only six (6) youngsters to the Clearwater School system - we are doing more than our share of Clearwater support. Our voice merits their consideration and support. - Don Infante, Major General, USA (Ret.)
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