With a new face on the dais and plans for 2018 in full swing, most Bradenton Beach officials are optimistic about the city’s future.
But, moving forward means change.
Commissioner Randy White, elected in November, said he thinks the biggest challenge the city faces is getting residents’ voices heard.
In August, commissioners voted to join a lawsuit filed by ex-Mayor Jack Clarke against several city board members for allegedly violating Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Laws. Clarke claims the board members discussed city matters at meetings that weren’t properly noticed, as well as through emails and phone calls.
The now-defunct grass-roots group Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach, which comprised some individuals named in the suit, placed three charter amendments on the November ballot, which were approved by the electorate. The amendments opened up the pool of candidates for the commission by loosening requirements to run for office and removed the commission’s ability to change the charter by resolution.
According to White, the lawsuit has caused a division in the community, but passage of the amendments has created hope for change.
“Having campaigned door-to-door, I can tell you voters feel shunned,” White said. “Developers receive permits with ease, while homeowners face more red tape and interference in getting theirs. Party houses and talk of a parking garage really got to residents in lieu of this. The great accomplishment in 2017 is the people voted for a new and better system, created by those residents being sued by the city. The residents’ voice will be directly heard and that gives new hope in 2018.”
In an effort to regulate party houses, voters adopted a six-month moratorium in November 2016, prohibiting the review of applications and issuance of permits for structures containing more than four bedrooms in the R1 and R2 zoning districts. The commission approved three three-month extensions of the moratorium in 2017, with the most recent extension set to expire in February 2018.
The city is using the moratorium as a breather — providing time to amend the land development code and comprehensive plan to strengthen local regulation of short-term rentals. The regulations — including a new transient public lodging establishment license — are nearly finalized.
Commissioner Marilyn Maro said that in addition to giving the city time to institute new regulations, the moratorium has led to diminished interest in large vacation homes.
“It’s the four bedrooms or less houses that are selling,” Maro said. “That’s what people want.”
According to Mayor John Chappie, the moratorium is a step toward “maintaining the character of the city.”
“It has given us time to get regulations in place, a lot of work has gone into it and I am confident in our plans,” Chappie said.
Chappie, a former Manatee County commissioner and city commissioner elected mayor in November, said in the 43 years he has been in Bradenton Beach, the challenges have remained the same.
He cited growth and development as constant concerns, as well as Tallahassee’s drive to overturn home rule.
For the first time in the history of the city, Bradenton Beach hired a lobbyist for representation during the 2017 legislative session. The commission voted to renew the contract with lobbyist Dave Ramba for 2018.
Along with lobbying against bills that would curtail local government, Ramba’s group also has filed bills for 2018 that could lead to state funding for projects to enhance the historic district of the city.
“We’ve got some really exciting stuff in the works here that could be a great benefit to our city,” Chappie said regarding the state funding requests. “That’s why we’re here. It’s about serving community.”