The Holmes Beach City Commission joined the those challenging a proposal to build a cruise ship port in Manatee County.
City commissioners voted 4-0 Feb. 24 to adopt a resolution opposing the establishment of a cruise ship terminal on the 328-acre Knott-Cowen tract southwest of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Commission Chair Carol Whitmore was absent with excuse.
Landowner Slip Knott LLC and global terminal operator SSA Marine have outlined a multi-berth facility designed to serve cruise ships too tall to pass beneath the Skyway’s 180-foot vertical clearance.
The project would require rezoning and a large-scale comprehensive plan amendment on the county level.
The proposal has been met with widespread opposition, including from anglers, conservationists, local officials, and Terra Ceia residents concerned about the port’s potential environmental impact.
City Commissioner Terry Schaefer proposed the resolution to join the wave of opposition at a Feb. 10 commission meeting and the board reached consensus to draft it.
The resolution states that development of the proposed terminal would “likely require extensive dredging in a sensitive coastal estuary ecosystem.”
It also voices opposition to the proposal and urges the county to “carefully consider the environmental and infrastructural impacts” if a formal application is submitted.
“Ultimately, it will be the county commission … that deals with an issue of this magnitude,” Schaefer said. “But I felt, and the commission agreed, that it was very important for us to take a stand.”
“From a quality-of-life standpoint, from an environmental standpoint, it created a great concern to our communities,” he added.
Schaefer also praised state Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, for successfully amending Senate Bill 302 — a coastal resiliency bill sponsored by Ileana Garcia, R-Miami — to limit dredging and filling for the creation of infrastructure like a cruise terminal.
The legislation has unanimously passed the Senate, but a companion bill has yet to pass the House and both chambers must agree on identical language before a measure can go to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Schaefer moved to adopt the resolution. Commissioner Jessica Patel seconded the motion, which passed.
There was no public comment.
Copies of the resolution will be sent to the other two island cities, as well as the cities of Bradenton and Palmetto.