Story Tools • • Commission adopts comp plan amendments by Lisa Neff. islander Reporter The Holmes Beach City Commission Feb. 24 unanimously approved an ordinance adopting the evaluation and appraisal report of the city’s comprehensive plan. The commission made no changes last week before holding a second and final reading of the ordinance and moving to adopt the measure. The adoption of the EAR amendments impacts most sections of the comp plan, including the future land-use map, transportation, housing, infrastructure, coastal management, conservation, recreation, intergovernmental coordination and capital improvements. In the final weeks of the process, the commission made some slight modifications to the EAR amendments, including adding language that encourages the continued support of the Island trolley and states that the city will create guidelines for the development of “green” buildings and adopt exterior lighting standards to minimize light pollution and reduce energy consumption. The commission, following the recommendation of city planning consultant Bill Brisson, also modified its five-year schedule of capital improvements, which consists of work planned on roads and stormwater basins. Another change in the final weeks of the adoption process was the addition of a coastal high-hazard area map, which covers the entire city, and the addition of Key Royale Drive as an evacuation route. The commission let stand a provision that restricts rentals in single-family residential areas — R-1 zones. The provision limits rentals to no less than 30 days in the R-1 areas, which some business people sought to cut to a week. The commission held two meetings to discuss the issue before deciding to leave the 30-day restriction. Before voting on the EAR amendments Feb. 24, the commission held a public hearing, but only Brisson spoke. In other business last week, the commission: Reappointed Dan Hardy and Sean Murphy to the police retirement board. Appointed Jerry West as an alternate to the parks and beautification committee. Appointed Blair Schlossberg to the board of adjustment. Authorized the mayor to write a letter to county commissioners restating Holmes Beach’s interest in annexing the Kingfish Boat Ramp area at the foot of the Anna Maria Island Bridge. The city wants to annex the property and police the area but wants the county to continue to operate and maintain the boat ramp. Agreed to look into becoming a state-designated Community for a Lifetime, a distinction that Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach have received in the past year. The state initiative promotes efforts to make communities more livable for aging residents. The commission’s next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. March 10 at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The commission will not meet on March 24 because some commissioners and Mayor Rich Bohnenberger will be in Tallahassee to lobby.