Holmes Beach city commissioners may have voted to enact a moratorium banning formula businesses, but it was up to the planning commission to determine whether the ban could stick.
The planning commission met Aug. 17 to determine whether the formula business moratorium is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.
The moratorium, approved by the city commission in June, prohibits new formula or chain businesses from opening in the city for a period of eight months while city leaders determine if legislation is needed to control such businesses.
Existing formula businesses and those that have applied for building permits and business licenses are exempt from the moratorium.
“Our goal here is to determine if the formula business moratorium is in line with the comprehensive plan, not whether the moratorium is right or wrong,” Planning Commissioner Chuck Stealey said as discussion got underway.
“I believe it’s consistent with the comprehensive plan,” said Planning Commissioner Barbara Hines, recommending the board pass along its blessing to the city commission.
Alternate Scott Boyd, sitting in for absent member Gary Hickerson, said he would like to revise the comprehensive plan to define different types of businesses and make clearer the city’s goals with regard to formula businesses.
“I want to be even-handed and fair if the goal of the city commission is to not have formula/chain stores,” he said.
The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the formula business moratorium as consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.
The planning commission will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
City commissioners were expected to discuss the planning commission’s recommendation during an Aug. 23 meeting, after Islander press time.
City commissioners will next meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 at city hall.