Plans for a new Holmes Beach restaurant that promises bohemian vibes are moving forward.
City commissioners reached consensus April 25 to move forward with a site plan and outdoor dining request for the Bohemian Restaurant, 5910 Marina Drive, owned by Tampa chef and Anna Maria Island native Jeannie Pierola.
The 6,256-square-foot multi-tenant building is owned by SM&L Inc., run by officers Judy Duncan and Zee Catanese.
The property currently houses Isola Bella Restaurant, 5904 Marina Drive, and a cell tower owned by Crown Castle USA. There is a vacant rear office that formerly housed a title office at 5914 Marina Drive and at the frontage on Marina Drive, the vacant Island Grill, 5912 Marina Drive.
The site plan includes several improvements to convert about half of the building into a restaurant with 100 seats inside and 53 outdoors.
Proposed improvements include the construction of a wood deck and patio, the addition of a canopy and concrete sidewalk, changes to on-site parking and traffic circulation, as well as the request for 53 outdoor dining seats.
The property would have no entry on Marina Drive. Instead, motorists would enter the parking lot via 60th Street and leave via 59th Street.
Chad Minor, the city’s planning and zoning administrator, said city staff recommended commissioners approve the “exciting” proposal with conditions, including:
- Prohibiting amplified outdoor music;
- Requiring the applicant to obtain a local business tax receipt noting 100 indoor seats and 53 outdoor seats prior to occupancy;
- Requiring the applicant apply for a building permit for the site improvements within 90 days of the city’s site plan approval.
Halflants & Pichette project manager Ana Meneses presented the architect’s plans to city commissioners.
Meneses said Pierola grew up on the island and wanted to return to the community and offer it “delicious” food in an “inviting” space.
Commissioner Dan Diggins said the proposed plans were “impressive” and expressed support for approving them.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer said the improvements would provide a “major facelift” for the area.
“I think this is one of the best improvements to a building in Holmes Beach other than new construction,” Schaefer said.
There was no public comment.
In other matters …
City commissioners also:
- Unanimously voted to approve a second reading for an ordinance amending the city’s land development code to add definitions for automobile rentals and warehousing, as well as revise its definition of cannabis to allow CBD and hemp products;
- Reached consensus to authorize Mayor Judy Titsworth to execute a piggyback agreement for road-building materials and services from C-Squared CGC, Inc. through Aug. 31, 2023.
The city commission’s next meeting was to be after press time for The Islander at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
Directions to attend the meeting via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.