Plans to convert a defunct bank into a mini golf course, restaurant and retail shop are a vote away from approval.
But noise and safety concerns may need to be addressed first.
A major site plan for changes at 5325 Gulf Drive and 5327 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, was discussed by city officials and residents during a Sept. 24 city commission work session.
The two-lot commercial property features a 10,328-square-foot defunct Wells Fargo bank building and was sold for $4,750,000 in June 2023 to former Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Jake Spooner.
Spooner’s plans to redevelop the property include building an outdoor mini golf course, Island Bazaar retail shop, ice cream shop and arcade on the first floor.
On the second floor, his plans feature a restaurant with covered and open roof deck seating, a kitchen and a candy store.
According to a staff report, 93 total parking spaces are required to accommodate the proposed operations — with 42 for 125 total restaurant seats, 40 for retail, ice cream, arcade and storage, two for boat slips and nine for the mini golf course.
While there are only 69 existing parking spaces at the property, redevelopment would increase capacity to 97 total spots, with four compliant under the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act.
The property would also provide bicycle racks to accommodate up to 36 bikes at once.
A special exception was also requested from the city for amplified music and outdoor recreation uses.
City code allows commissioners to approve exceptions that allow amplified music 12 p.m.-10 p.m. daily.
City staff recommended approval of the site plan and special exception, with conditions.
Those would include:
- Limiting the use of amplified outdoor music within the mini golf course to 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday;
- Limiting outdoor music and entertainment in the second-floor outdoor dining area to 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 12 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
- The outdoor stage must be equipped with “noise attenuating features.”
Another condition would allow the city to revisit the site plan and special exception approval “in the event that the noise attenuating features are insufficient to comply with the city’s noise ordinance.”
Commissioner Pat Morton expressed hesitation about allowing outdoor music and entertainment at the property, especially from the second-floor open dining area.
“It’s a big problem, I think,” he said. “You can’t control (noise) without walls.”
Mayor Judy Titsworth said she “loved the concept,” but voiced concern about amplified outdoor music.
She said the only business currently allowed to have amplified music was the Ugly Grouper, 5704 Marina Drive, but was “embarrassed” to have allowed that in the first place.
“I am concerned with the amplified music,” Titsworth said. “Sound travels. And the Ugly Grouper … I can hear it clear over at my house, which is pretty far away, and I can go out on my porch and sing along with the music.”
Commission Chair Terry Schaefer said he was also concerned about the safety of mini golfers.
The mini golf course runs along the south side of the property and alongside Gulf Drive.
There are plans for a fence to separate the roadway and mini golf course, but Schaefer asked if more was needed to ensure mini golfers’ safety.
Director of development services Chad Minor said landscaping and other barriers, such as large rocks, could be added to improve safety along the boundary without installing safety railing or bollards.
During public comment, resident Nancy Deal questioned whether plans for the property benefitted the residents.
“Do we want a historic community … or just a tourist trap?” Deal asked.
Since the item was discussed during a work session, no action was taken.
The site plan and special exception request will go before city commissioners for consideration at a future meeting.
The city commission was to meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
A livestream of the meeting can be viewed on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.