Bradenton Beach is pressing forward on a resort proposal for Bridge Street.
A hearing for a 103-room Bridge St. Resort with restaurant and retail space in the commercial district was continued by the Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board from Nov. 1 to Nov. 13 — after press time for The Islander. The P&Z was expected to finalize its recommendation to the commission at the Nov. 13 meeting.
The city commission scheduled its hearing for the resort Nov. 16, during a regular meeting.
But the commission might lack enough members present to vote on an ordinance related to the resort proposal.
One member of the commission with interests in the project can’t vote and another hasn’t attended meetings since January.
Some properties involved in the proposed development on Bridge Street, Gulf Drive and Third Street South are either owned or leased by developer Shawn Kaleta and Najmy-Thompson PL.
Other involved properties are registered to Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jake Spooner, including 108 Third St. S., Unit W at 110 Third St. S., 112 Third St. S. and 117 Bridge St.
Before the city is the developers’ request — supported by city staff — that the project be considered as a planned unit development, meaning the existing city zoning and codes would not apply.
The P&Z is reviewing the plans and addressing traffic, parking, public safety and more.
The board will recommend the commission approve or deny the project.
At the dais, Spooner will have to recuse himself, which he said he would do last January, after the resort plans became public: “In an effort to keep my role as an elected official and this commission free of any concern of the transparency or conflicts and to protect the best interests of the community I live and work in, today I have requested and will be filing a notice with the clerk recusing myself as an elected official on any public meetings/discussions on the improvements proposed on Bridge Street.”
Also, Commissioner Marilyn Maro has been absent from the dais — and all functions of her elected office — since Jan. 19.
City staff and officials have declined to comment on the reason behind Maro’s absences.
With Maro potentially unable to cast a vote and Spooner’s recusal, the city would only have three votes present, which may create a dilemma of governmental procedure based on its charter.
The charter states that an affirmative supra-majority — at least four of the five members — vote of the city commission shall be required to approve any comprehensive plan amendment — including map or text amendments — rezoning, special exception, variance or vacation of any city rights of way and the authority may not be delegated to any other individual or entity.
The Islander reached out to city clerk Terri Sanclemente, Mayor John Chappie and city attorney Ricinda Perry by email Nov. 7 and text Nov. 8 to ask about the supra-majority vote.
Sanclemente declined to comment and Perry said she was unwilling to make a statement regarding the development. Chappie did not respond to email or text inquiries although, in a Nov. 8 conversation with The Islander, he deferred to Perry.
The city commission’s first hearing on the resort is scheduled for noon Thursday, Nov. 16 at city hall.
Editor’s note: The P&Z Nov. 13 unanimously recommended the planned development rezoning subject to conditions.