A proposal to rezone a defunct bank at 503 Manatee Ave. in Holmes Beach is moving to a final vote.
Holmes Beach planning commissioners unanimously voted June 2 to recommend the commission approve an ordinance that would rezone the long-vacant property from Commercial-1 to C-2 zoning.
C-1 is limited to professional offices, while C-2 is intended for offices and retail businesses, such as a pharmacy or liquor store.
The change to C-2 would allow the property — vacant since Regions Bank closed and changed hands in 2012 — to be converted to a Publix Super Market pharmacy and liquor store.
The property is owned by SCD at Anna Maria LLC, a Holmes Beach company registered to Blair Schlossberg, but Bradenton attorney Scott Rudacille said the parties intend to sell the property to Publix after the conversion.
City planner Bill Brisson said the proposal complies with the city’s comprehensive plan and would not preclude any C-1 uses and is compatible with the C-2 and C-3 zones that border the parcel.
He acknowledged that adding a pharmacy and liquor store to the area could heighten competition with nearby businesses but, he said, the city has no right to regulate competition via zoning.
“There really is nothing that should prevent this property from being zoned C-2,” Brisson said. “We don’t have the right to do that.”
Brisson added that while the C-2 zoning allows for additional retail uses, including as a restaurant or drugstore, the city’s land development code prohibits drive-through windows — further narrowing the property’s potential uses.
Meanwhile, the property owner is not legally obligated to maintain its proposed use as a pharmacy/liquor store, according to Brisson.
Planning Commissioner Gale Tedhams said she was concerned that owners of the city’s remaining C-1 properties would follow this case’s precedent and request to be rezoned.
The city currently has three C-1 properties other than 503 Manatee Ave., according to its zoning map, including:
- The defunct Bank of America property at 699 Manatee Ave.;
- A cluster of offices at 5203 Gulf Drive occupied by A Paradise Realty and McGriff Insurance Services;
- Gulf Insurance at 301 Manatee Ave.
Brisson said he was opposed to a 2007 request to rezone LaPensee Plumbing at 401 Manatee Ave. from C-1 to C-2 that was ultimately approved because he was concerned it would result in similar changes to other C-1 properties.
However, Brisson said he supports the rezone for 503 Manatee Ave. because it is consistent with the surrounding uses. He added that the property was unique from the city’s other C-1 properties because it borders other commercial uses instead of residential ones.
The property is flanked by LaPensee and CVS on the east and west, and residential to the north and south.
“I can’t tell you whether or not other properties will have to be rezoned if they request it,” Brisson said. “It becomes harder and harder not to because you established a pattern. … I think in the future, some of these others will probably go to C-2.”
Resident Brian Mathea, who spoke in opposition to the proposed rezone at the May 25 commission hearing, said during public comment that it would be hypocritical for the city to rezone 503 Manatee Ave.
He said the decision would set a precedent for the remaining C-1 properties within city limits, which he hopes would some day be developed for medical services, such as an urgent care center.
Planning Commissioner Barbara Hines moved to recommend the proposed ordinance for commission approval.
Planning Commissioner Dana Krupa seconded the motion, which passed.
City commissioners were set to consider the ordinance in a second hearing and final reading June 8, after The Islander’s press deadline.
If the ordinance is approved, city commissioners also must review a site plan containing proposed changes to the building, such as removing all but one drive-through lane — which would be retained for pharmacy use — and refinishing the parking lot.
The planning commission will meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
Holmes Beach seeks new planning commissioner
Holmes Beach needs someone to step in for a planning commissioner set to leave the board this month.
Deputy clerk Kristin Cook emailed The Islander June 3 that Barbara Hines will not seek reappointment when her three-year term expires later this month.
Her vacancy will leave room for a volunteer appointment to the board, which advises the city in land development and comprehensive plan decisions.
The planning commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
People interested in volunteering as a planning commissioner can visit the city’s website at holmesbeachfl.org or call 941-708-5800.
— Ryan Paice