Tensions are rising in Bradenton Beach, where some business owners proceeded with the construction and operation of commercial projects without city permits.
Darin Cushing has been chasing down unpermitted issues since becoming the city building official in December 2023.
“I’m trying to get tracks down in front of these moving trains,” Cushing said March 27. “People are doing the work first and then getting cited for it and then applying for the permits.”
He said the result of not following the permitting procedure is a process that takes longer for the applicant while making extra work for city staff.
Most recently, a bar opened at the Bradenton Beach Marina, 402 Church St., owned by developer Shawn Kaleta.
Cushing told The Islander April 1 that the buildout requires “a commercial renovation permit along with electrical, plumbing, and mechanical subs.”
He said the application will need to be reviewed by the city building and zoning departments and the fire district. Cushing added, “Then, if approved, we would issue the permit and work could begin.”
Cushing said he learned of the bar March 26 from a Facebook post that was promoting the bar’s opening.
He then walked over to the marina.
“I went to the back and took a look at it and saw that it was definitely there. So I got a hold of the fire marshal and his inspector and a code enforcement officer and we took a look at it,” he said.
Cushing said he put a cease-and-desist order on the bar.
He said along with permitting, the marina needs engineered drawings showing a separation between the bar and dry boat storage for fire safety purposes.
He also said the fire marshal observed that the fire suppression system is in alarming condition and had previously been red-tagged for pipe corrosion.
Kaleta, with associates, owns and operates multiple island businesses and is developing the planned Bridge Street Resort. He bought the marina in January 2023.
Cushing said aside from the cease-and-desist order for the marina bar, violations also have been an issue at Kaleta’s Bradenton Beach restaurant, Salt Bar & Table, 2519 Gulf Drive N., for unpermitted outside seating.
He said an application was made for additional outdoor seating, but the permit was never approved because the application lacked a parking plan.
“He never got approval for the outdoor dining” and it’s open and serving customers,” Cushing said.
Meanwhile, Beach to Bay LLC, owned by Kaleta, received notices of violation in February for the unauthorized establishment of paid parking lots in areas zoned for residential use.
Cushing said temporary use permits were applied for after the construction and operation of the pay-by-plate lots and most were approved March 21 by commissioners.
The Islander reached out March 29 to Kaleta and his attorney Louis Najmy. Najmy spoke to The Islander but was unable to comment while on vacation.
But Kaleta is not the only one under scrutiny.
Cushing said permit violations also were issued to George and Wendy Kokolis, owners of the Gulf Drive Cafe, 900 Gulf Drive N., for the establishment of a paid parking lot across from the cafe — administered by Josh LaRose, owner of the EZ Parking Group.
LaRose administers paid parking interests for multiple businesses in Bradenton Beach, including Kaleta and restaurateur Ed Chiles.
Cushing said he approached LaRose to address the unpermitted lot and told LaRose he must remove vehicles and barricade the lot until a permit application is reviewed and approved by the city.
The Islander reached out to the Kokolises March 29 but, as of The Islander press time April 1, no response was given.
“We want to work with people. I am absolutely 100% pro-development,” Cushing said. “I like to see improvement and new construction. I am all for it. But it has to be done right, by the rules and laws on the books.”
Every time I read about some trouble with permits or town ordinances being violated its this guy and his lawyer. Town government is a joke! Hope Mr. Cushing is successful within diligence. Or then again he might just take the payoff.
Just don’t be a money spending tourist and mis interpret the myriad parking regs.
You be ticketed in a flash.
Glad I was a tourist in AMI long ago when it was still civilized.
Kaleta – the developer who thinks permits and rules are for others, not him. Shocker!
Its actually a free for all kaleta started it and now why not jump in, maybe if you had some serious consequences instead of “oh boy we got caught now we have to pay the permit fee and fine” He doesnt care its part of doing business. Shut them down with a high penalty period for starting construction.