The Town Commission argued, debated, raised fears and ultimately agreed to wait until a March workshop to consider the fundamental rules and regulations that will govern development and redevelopment on Longboat Key. On the agenda at last Monday’s regular meeting were amendments to the future Land Use Comprehensive Plan categories that define and embody what the town wishes to see Longboat Key look like in the future from a development perspective. The Commission told staff two years ago that it wished to revamp the Land Use rules and the Town Code as well as its zoning categories and Comprehensive Plan, to deal with the more than 3,000 non-conforming units that exist on Longboat Key. Former Mayor Jim Brown and Commissioner George Spoll have worked in recent years to recognize the non-conforming densities and encourage through Land Use regulation changes the redevelopment not to the underlying densities, but in most instances what will be the current unit counts. At last week’s meeting, the commission moved in many directions before deciding to table the issue until the March workshop. “I see some dangers in this getting out of hand and circumventing all that has come before us,” said Vice Mayor Phill Younger at the opening of the discussion.
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