Former Anna Maria Commissioner Gene Aubry lent his architectural skills to the city March 8, offering a rendering to commissioners of a park, nature trail, open space and parking at the city-owned land at the east end of Pine Avenue.
Aubry had volunteered for the task Feb. 23 after commissioners had difficulty agreeing as to what should go on the site. The city purchased the property in September 2011 for $2.8 million to ensure it would not be developed by the private sector.
Many commissioners were in favor of some type of park, but until a plan is adopted, parking is being allowed on about one-third of the property.
Commissioners also decided in February to end overflow parking May 7.
City Pier Restaurant manager Dave Sork said he was pleased the park rendering allows some parking.
The Anna Maria City Pier already is the No. 1 visitor attraction in Manatee County, he said, and the addition of the new boardwalk along the pier, a beach to the pier shoreline, and the growth of retail shops on Pine Avenue are bringing even more visitors to the waterfront.
Vacation rental terms
Commissioner SueLynn said she will present a “guidebook” at the March 28 commission meeting prepared with help from rental agents Larry Chatt and Mike Brinson that can be given to new visitors renting a vacation property in the city.
The guidebook will contain the list of “best practices” developed for renters and agents and a notation that the rental agent has the right to evict tenants who violate conditions of the lease agreement.
The guidebook will be given to vacationers in a “friendly manner,” with appropriate artwork, SueLynn said. For 95 percent of the renters, there will be no issues with the best practices in the guide.
“It’s only a few people who ever cause any problems,” she said.
Among the conditions that might trigger an eviction or a code violation are excessive noise past 10 p.m., trash left curbside, too many vehicles parked on lawns and at other properties, and having more people at the rental than called for in the agreement. The renters also will agree to terms that include respecting the neighborhood and maintainubg the peace and quiet of the city.
She said she hopes all rental agents and rental property owners in Anna Maria and the Island will adopt the guide for their clients.
Holmes Beach Commissioner David Zaccagnino told Anna Maria commissioners that Chatt recently evicted a large group of people at a rental in Holmes Beach for violating the conditions of the lease agreement.
Mayor Mike Selby said he plans to meet with Sgt. Dave Turner, who heads the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria substation, and other MCSO officials to ensure MCSO’s cooperation with rental agents who may require assistance dealing tenants.
Special magistrate
Commissioners unanimously adopted an ordinance creating a special code enforcement magistrate to hear code violation cases
This will eliminate the neighbor vs. neighbor aspect of citizens serving on the code enforcement board.
The special master will be a licensed Florida attorney who specializes in deciding code enforcement matters.
Selby said he would immediately begin the request for proposals process.