Longboat Key News and Sarasota City News encourages Letters to the Editor on timely issues. Please email to: letters@lbknews.com or mail to PO Box 8001, Longboat Key, FL 34228. We also print letters sent to Town Hall that address Longboat Key issues. We reserve the right to edit.
Library/Community Center
To: Editor
Longboat Key has been a part of my life for over 50 years. My father was a three-term mayor and a Town Commissioner for almost 14 years. I have been a (seasonal) resident for over 30 years. For nearly 25 years, Longboat Key has envisioned a central gathering place for our island. Over the years, this vision has taken different forms from a community center funded by Longboat taxpayers to a donor-funded arts, culture, and education center in collaboration with Ringling College. While these earlier initiatives did not come to fruition, the dream of a vibrant Town Center remained strong. What was missing was the right partnership. Now, Longboat Key has found the perfect partner to bring this vision to life and I am assisting in any way I can to help make this a reality. The journey began with a partnership between the Town and Sarasota County to acquire the land for the Town Center Green, a 4.81-acre park at the heart of the Key. To complete the first two phases, (i) Town taxpayer money was used, (ii) Sarasota County provided a substantial grant, and (iii) private donors generously contributed, all to fund the pavilion and stage that are now being enjoyed by the community.
Now, Sarasota County Libraries has committed $11 million to build a new Library/Community Center at Longboat’s Town Center. But today’s libraries are far more than books, they have evolved into dynamic hubs of technology, learning, and community engagement. This new Library/Community Center will feature state-of-the-art technology, gathering spaces, and opportunities for lectures, workshops, and lifelong learning. Most importantly, all events and programming will be free to the public, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
Through extensive public outreach, residents have voiced a clear desire for a larger and more versatile space to enhance the core offerings of the Library/Community Center. To meet these needs, the Town of Longboat Key is seeking to raise at least $3.5million in private donations for critical additions, including:
— A welcoming plaza with a spacious social area;
— A larger meeting space for 200+ attendees with built in versatility to break out into smaller spaces if desired; and
— An elevated & covered outdoor terrace connecting the Library/Community Center to the Town Center Green.
While Sarasota County will allocate $1 million annually for operations and maintenance for the entire facility, the above three essential enhancements will not be County-funded. Longboat Key needs the support of donors, large and small, to make this vision a reality.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will bring us closer to transforming the Library/Community Center into a true gathering place – a space for learning, connection, and enrichment that will serve our island for generations to come.
I hope that many of you will be open to a meeting to discuss this opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on Longboat Key. Your support will help create a space where knowledge, culture, and community come together, all free and open to the public. I would be delighted to set up a meeting with those parties from Sarasota County Libraries and the Town of Longboat Key to provide you with more specifics on this wonderful project. Alternatively, I can set up individual meetings if that would be your preference. In any event, please contact me at Jeffrey.lenobel@gmail.com or 917-376-7000, or Susan Phillips, Assistant to the Town Manager, at sphillips@longboatkey.org or 941-316-1999, x1212
Jeff Lenobel
Longboat Key
Good news – with caveats
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
Yesterday afternoon, the portal though which we receive Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds became available for us to access again. As such, we’re moving forward with our habitat restoration projects – letting our contractors know that we will once again be able to process properly documented invoices for contracted work.
This whole episode was an uncomfortable one for us, because our normal contacts at EPA – who could walk us through the implications and timelines of this event – were effectively told not to communicate with grant recipients such as the SBEP. Basically, we had no idea if this “freeze” would be over in a week, or a month, or if all BIL funds would be clawed back in their entirety. We’ve decided that a cautious approach is the right one, and our next Policy Board meeting will include the need for guidance on how to structure our budgets, moving forward.
We believe that the FY24 and FY25 BIL funds could potentially be safe, but we don’t know that for certain. We also believe, but do not know for certain, that our FY26 BIL funds are not as likely to be available, since they’ve not yet been allocated for distribution. So, for now, this means that our approach will be one where we will move forward with projects that are to be funded with FY24 and FY25 BIL funds, but perhaps not move forward with any preliminary work for FY26. This actually has implications for our FY25 budget as well, because one of our FY25 BIL projects is to work on the design and permitting of a project (Rose Park) that was then to be constructed with FY26 funds.
At this point, we do not have a solid fix on what will be available for Section 320 funds, but we anticipate that the Section 320 funds will be the same as what we’ve received for FY25.
The re-establishment of our BIL funding portal is good news, but we don’t have the certainty we’re used to, so our budget and workplan for this upcoming year will have to incorporate a level of flexibility that makes sense, moving forward.
Keep in mind, the main function of the SBEP is to deliver on a plan to protect and restore the water quality and natural resources of this beautiful bay, while ensuring that public access to this improved bay is increased for all residents. And on that topic, we’ve got a lot of good news on the bay’s health coming out.
Looking forward to our briefings and the upcoming Policy Board meeting, one of the most important ones we’ve had in a few years now.
Dave Tomasko
Executive Director
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Designated Parking for Handicapped Dogs
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
I have been a full time LBK resident since 2019. Recently have enjoyed the use of the newly renovated dog park for my three dogs. 1 of my dogs is a large handicapped dog with only 3 legs and it is not easy for her to walk much distance from my car to the entrance
I am writing to ask you to consider dedicating two or three parking spaces in front of the entrance for owners of handicapped dogs. I have seen other handicapped dogs at the park & there is a need, especially during season.
Debi Nettlow
Longboat Key
Designated Parking for Handicapped Dogs
To: Debi Nettlow
Thank you for your message through the Town’s web portal. Your suggestion to provide some dedicated parking for people who have handicapped animals is the first time I’ve had this request and I’ve been doing this type of work for a few years now. You mentioned you’ve seen this in other areas and if you can recall where, we’d like to contact those cities to see how they make it work.
Whether we’re talking about able bodied people or animals, we appreciate being made aware of the challenges distance can make as it is your experience that increases our awareness. Thank you for letting us know and we look forward to exploring how this might work.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Parking for Handicapped Dogs
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
In July, we started a written dialogue regarding the use of the Bayfront dog park for handicapped dogs. An administrative Assistant was kind enough to call me to further discuss the issue and how I might want to see a policy implemented and I appreciated the attention and problem solving. The August, September and October storms hit and there were more immediate and pressing problems and understandably, the dialogue was left hanging. Therefore, I am resurrecting this issue in the hopes that we can come to a solution and I need your assistance.
As we are getting back to normal, my problem still exists to wit: there are times I am unable to park near the entrance of the dog park to offload my 3 dogs, 1 of which is handicapped and has only three legs. She is not able to walk a great distance and on one occasion I double parked and was issued a citation. The park has been such a great addition but let’s implement a policy/system/parking space whereby the dog park can be used for its intended purpose by all dogs. Perhaps a sticker which would allow me to park in a special parking spot during limited hours or some other policy. Mine is not a unique problem. If we work together, I know we can find a solution
Debi Nettlow
Longboat Key
Parking for Handicapped Dogs
Debi Nettlow
This is something we can discuss. Maybe a space restricted to handicapped dogs could work.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Parking for Handicapped Dogs
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Thank you, Ken for your response. How do I move forward on this? As you can imagine it’s really crowded this time of year up until June 1 or so. I appreciate your consideration.
Debi Nettlow
Longboat Key
Parking for Handicapped Dogs
To: Debi Nettlow
We have our monthly regular Commission meeting this Monday, February 3 at 1 pm. Any member of the public may speak on any subject near the beginning of the meeting, so I would encourage you to address the Commission then. Regardless, I will raise your issue at some point.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Parking for Handicapped Dogs
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Good morning Mayor. I was just wondering when there would be a vote on my issue and how I would know the result of that issue.
Debi Nettlow
Longboat Key
Parking for Handicapped Dogs
To: Debi Nettlow
At the end of our Monday meeting, we discussed your proposal to address accessibility for disabled dogs to the Bayfront Park dog parks. Even after adding a substantial number of new parking spaces to that lot over the past 2 years, the variety of uses and users during Season overfills the lot at critical times. We decided that dedicating one or more spaces to disabled dogs would not be an efficient use of such a scarce resource and would be very hard to enforce. However, we have directed staff to locate and mark an area near the dog park labelled “disabled pet drop off area” or the like, which would allow an owner to secure a disabled pet in the appropriate park and find an open space nearby. Let’s see how this works.
Thanks for bringing this matter to our attention.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Parking for Handicapped Dogs
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Thanks, Ken and to the Mayor and commission members for your consideration. The spot closest to the front gate and to the right of the handicap person spot would be great.
It’s not ideal, as it requires me to leave my pets unattended, even if just for a short period, but it is better than nothing. Thank you for being open minded about this unique issue and one that is certainly of first impression. Know that this will make a difference for Lola and other handicapped dogs.
Debi Nettlow
Longboat Key
Hornblower Lane
To: Scott La Rue
As promised, I have forwarded your inquiry to Allen Parsons, our Director of Planning and Zoning, in hopes that he can advise you on the status of your project.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Hornblower Lane
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Good afternoon. I am the owner of the single-family residence at Hornblower. I sustained about $75,000 of damage to my home during the most recent hurricane. The damage was caused by wind-driven rain that seeped in around my windows.
The windows have been manufactured, and I am waiting on a permit to install them. The company is Armorvue Window & Door. I have been waiting since the end of December. First, I had to complete the FEMA paperwork, which was promptly done and submitted, but I haven’t received any further guidance from the building departments.
The windows are the first step in my repairs, and I can’t proceed until they are done. Any assistance or guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Scott LaRue
Longboat Key
Finding Our Strengths/GMD Clean Up
To: Town of Longboat Key Department Heads
I am proud to announce that we had over 115 volunteers who worked together to collect ~500 bags of debris today! We nearly filled the equivalent of a 40-yard dumpster. I don’t have many words other than… Wow!
It was heartwarming and exciting to see who heard about and participated in the cleanup. A special thanks to our own staff and all the sponsors/supporters who helped make this happen.
A huge thank you to Public Works (and Tip) who collected all the bagged/bulk items and disposed of it immediately today in our own (PW) dumpsters. With that said, I have notified FDOT that there is no need to collect debris from the right of way on Monday as we have already taken care of it.
Based on the overwhelming positive feedback from this event, there is undoubtedly an opportunity to hold similar, volunteer led events in the future. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Attached are a few photos of today’s activities.
Alexandra Lowe-Mains
Office Manager Public Works
Town of Longboat Key
Finding Our Strengths / GMD Clean Up
To: Longboat Key Department Heads
As previously discussed, there will be a Longboat Key Gulf of Mexico Drive Volunteer Cleanup being held on Saturday, February 1st from 9am-11:30am.
Volunteers are to sign in at 9am at the Longboat Island Chapel (6200 GMD) and will be assigned to ‘Zones’ across the island. Participants will be given safety vests, bags, pickers, and gloves. We have designated eight (8) debris drop locations in the following areas and these will be marked with small signs during the hours of the event:
· 100 Broadway
· 6200 Gulf of Mexico Dr
· 5370 Gulf of Mexico Dr (Centre Shops)
· 4052 Gulf of Mexico Dr (Bayfront Park)
· 3170 Gulf of Mexico Dr (Swim City)
· 2162 Gulf of Mexico Dr (Fire St 92)
· 1000 Block of Gulf of Mexico Drive (Country Club Shores Entrance)
· Overlook Park Entrance
FDOT will be collecting the bagged debris from these locations on Monday, February 3rd. In addition, FDOT will be placing message boards at the ends of the island displaying text regarding the cleanup so motorists are aware.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have additional questions and feel free to keep my cell phone number handy if you may need to reach me on Saturday. I will be onsite for the entire duration of the event.
Alexandra Lowe-Mains
Office Manager Public Works
Town of Longboat Key
Finding Our Strengths / GMD Clean Up
To: Longboat Key Department Heads
The Town was approached by a resident who had interest in taking lead on a volunteer based GMD Cleanup to collect debris leftover from the claw trucks and/or just regular trash left along the roadside from littering. I was assigned to work with this resident and connect them with FDOT to help coordinate and get things moving in the right direction.
The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 1st from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. with a sign-in station at the Longboat Island Chapel. I have arranged to have Keep Manatee Beautiful and Suncoast Aqua Ventures to assist in providing additional volunteers, buckets, pickers, and gloves. FDOT is in full support of the event and will provide safety vests and may erect message boards on the ends of the island (TBD). A hydration and snack station will be available onsite as well. I will talk separately with Public Works on a few other items we may need Town help/support with. There are multiple groups who have come together to support this event with SRQ Strong managing the registration, please see the attached flyer. (Please note: There is an error that will be corrected ASAP on the EventBrite Page as SRQ Strong accidentally listed St Mary’s rather than Longboat Island Chapel).
After volunteers sign-in, they will be assigned to a particular Zone to collect debris and deposit it at a dedicated ‘drop site’ along GMD. Per our latest communication with FDOT, they said they would collect the bags from ‘drop sites’ and I will be reconfirming that along with an anticipated timeframe for collection. Within each Zone we will identify and inform volunteers of public parking areas, restrooms, and water bottle refill stations. No parking will occur within the GMD right-of-way.
Some of the details are still being worked out, but in summary; that is where we are at. It would be great to have the flyer shared on the Town’s social media platforms. I will be onsite for the entire event helping coordinate and helping make sure things run smoothly. I can share a count as to how many folks have registered a few days prior to the event.
As far as the Finding Our Strengths Gathering, I am not involved in that but I have seen the flyer circulating and there has been a request to have it shared on the Town’s social media page and/or possibly posted on the Town Hall bulletin board. I personally feel it would be appropriate to share on social to show our support and encourage community gatherings of this nature.
Alexandra Lowe-Mains
Office Manager Public Works
Town of Longboat Key
Finding Our Strengths / GMD Clean Up
To: Longboat Key Department Heads
This is the event that Alex is heading up. It is a clean up event and she volunteered her expertise on making this happen. The Eventbrite registration is for awareness of how many folks are coming. I included her to provide further guidance.
Charles Mopps
Interim Public Works Director
Town of Longboat Key Public Works
Finding Our Strengths / GMD Clean Up
To: Longboat Key Department Heads
I have not but I’m checking with the sergeants and will let you know.
Frank Rubino
Interim Chief of Police
Longboat Key Police Department
Derelict Vessel Removal, Block Grant Program Opportunity
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Incredibly, the State of Florida has no requirement for boats to carry insurance. A typical boat insurance policy will cover the cost of removal/salvage. Its really silly that taxpayers are forced to bear the cost (and long wait times) of removal instead of boat owners and their insurers. Not to mention liability issues.
Perhaps this is an issue you could bring up with Sen. Boyd? Every vessel anchored or operating in State waters should be required to carry insurance and display evidence thereof.
James G. Haft
Longboat Key
Derelict Vessel Removal, Block Grant Program Opportunity
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
This looks like something we should apply for.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Derelict Vessel Removal, Block Grant Program Opportunity
To: Longboat Key Commission
Incredibly, the State of Florida has no requirement for boats to carry insurance. A typical boat insurance policy will cover the cost of removal/salvage. It’s really silly that taxpayers are forced to bear the cost (and long wait times) of removal instead of boat owners and their insurers. Not to mention liability issues.
Perhaps this is an issue you could bring up with Sen. Boyd? Every vessel anchored or operating in State waters should be required to carry insurance and display evidence thereof.
James G. Haft
Longboat Key
Buchanan Meeting
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
As a follow up to our conversation regarding your upcoming meetings in D.C., the key points for the Congressman Buchanan discussion are:
Support all FEMA reimbursement efforts to the Town, as needed.
Continue to support ongoing $3 million request for resiliency project related to road raising and drainage for three neighborhoods submitted in 2024 through his Office.
Support efforts with GMD corridor plan as it relates to reconstructing low portions to build in resiliency with additional elevation and specifically how FDOT can help/partner to move this forward.
The Congressman has been very supporting of the GMD corridor plan overall and in particular the widening of the east sidewalk from 8 ft to a 12 ft trail. He is supportive of an appropriation request this year to help move it forward.
The Congressman is still committed to water quality and we thank him for his support of a $3 million appropriation in 2023 that we are working through the EPA for now. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Coquina and Cortez Beach traffic
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Just a quick heads up. Traffic was backed up considerably on the north end yesterday as Coquina Beach is starting to open up new parking lots (which have been expanded).
Neighbors, and especially workers (who live in town, off Key), are extremely frustrated.
I will take a few minutes during public comments at the Commission meeting Monday to highlight:
1- Now is the time to establish with Coquina beachgoers a new traffic pattern for the expanded parking lots there: one exit lane (not 3 or 4).
This will allow a 1:1 merge with cars coming from the south (LBK). This will also prevent people jumping out of the GMD line to cut through the Coquina parking lots to exit further north. This small change requires no extra money – just someone to manage the gates. We should put heavy pressure on the County to make this happen and pull through a commitment the BOCC made at the last joint meeting
2- Do we know the plans for the newly widened Cortez beach (just north of Coquina) – and if so, are they better than the past? If that stretch returns to the previous mess, it will once again be perpendicular parking with cars backing onto GMD (into traffic), while others crawl along GMD to look for a space, with zero control on exits and merging patterns. This again, will contribute to the horrendous traffic issues LBK faces during sunny beach days.
That area just north of the Coquina parking lots, should be reshaped and improved while it is under construction and before it too opens. We should be looking for a simple one-way lane with one entry that leads to angled parking and one exit. The road side could be bordered with post and rope, or a hedge or a guardrail. This is similar to the design of every shopping center parking lot and many other public properties in the State that border the beach on one side and have a road on the other. Whatever the plan – let’s make sure it is better than in the past.
Maureen Merrigan
LBK North
Durante Park Walkway
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman
I appreciate your quick and comprehensive response. While there’s obviously many walkways and docks in need of repair and funding, I’m again suggesting that Durante park should be among the top priorities. As the budgeting process evolves, please continue to advise on the timing and source of its funding and repair schedule. Again, thanks for all your efforts.
Jack Daly
Longboat Key
Durante Park Walkway
To: Jack Daly
Yes sir, you are correct, a lot going on right now, and you are correct about Durante. Town Public Works has obtained a quote from a qualified contractor and is awaiting a second quote that we expect next week in order to compare and validate actual construction/repair numbers. This is for all storm damaged boardwalks and public docks across the Town, including Durante Park. Generally, as we work to validate the numbers, the sum total of these repairs and replacements are seven figures for all boardwalks and docks, and higher six figures for damage to Durante alone. Once we have the second quote, we can confirm pricing and will discuss with the Town Manager and Town Commission about advancing these with the Town budget. Advance funding any or all of these would require floating them with Town reserves as we wait for insurance and FEMA reimbursements.
There will budget discussions early next week on other matters at both the Town Commission meeting and internal staff meeting, and as part of that, we will discuss and strategize around the parks and dock repairs further with the numbers we have and are getting in.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Durante Park Walkway
To: Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Issac Brownman
I know you and now Charlie have a lot of high priorities on your plates, but I’m again asking about the repair schedule and timing for re- opening up the pedestrian walkways at Durante Park.As you well know, it’s one of Longboat’s premier walkways.
Jack Daly
Longboat Key
Concerns Regarding Proposed Boat Lift Pole Height Increase
Concerns Regarding Proposed Boat Lift Pole Height Increase
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
I have guests that flew in to fish with me tomorrow so unfortunately, I’m not able to make it .
Steve Weyl
Longboat Key
Concerns Regarding Proposed Boat Lift Pole Height Increase
To: James Haft
Jim – I hope you and Steve will attend. I will be in DC on behalf of the Town so I will not be present.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Concerns Regarding Proposed Boat Lift Pole Height Increase
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Steve raises a good point. The proposed ordinance does not increase boat lifts by 6 feet, as opponents suggest. It raises them by only 2-3 feet, depending on dock/seawall height. The current code caps boat lifts at 5 feet over the dock or seawall.
Steve raises a good point. The proposed ordinance does not increase boat lifts by 6 feet, as opponents suggest. It raises them by only 2-3 feet, depending on dock/seawall height.
The current code caps boat lifts at 5 feet over the dock or seawall. Most docks are 3 to 4 feet over MHW, resulting in a max lift height of 8 or 9 feet under current code. Since the new code is measured against MHW, it would raise lifts by only 2 or 3 feet… hardly a material impact on views.
Jim Haft
Longboat Key
Concerns Regarding Proposed Boat Lift Pole Height Increase
To: Longboat Key Commission
As an owner of two LBK canal front properties, I have personally been impacted by the LBK lift height, a lift height which is very much out of step with every surrounding municipality. Here are my 3 impacts:
1. Even though my boat was lifted to its highest point possible, my boat floated off the lift during Hurricane Helene. Fortunately, it somehow ended up teetering on my neighbor’s dock and kind neighbors were able to push it into the water, undamaged. If it had been strapped or leashed as some have suggested, I could have easily fared worse through damage to my dock, lift, and bottom of my boat pounding on the pilings, lift beams, and equipment.
2. The other impact is ironically a positive impact that occurred at Bradenton Beach Marina. Even though the marina was mostly destroyed, my new 25’ boat survived both Helene and Milton while sitting on a lift due to the regulation of lift height being higher than the LBK’s. I am currently in contract to have a new lift installed specifically for that boat on one of my two LBK canal properties, which leads me to my 3rd impact as follows:
3. I am in limbo, as is every other lift damaged canal and bay owner on LBK waiting for a decision to raise the restrictive 5’ height. I beg you to make a decision now to move forward to eliminate that limbo, and to help in the recovery from the two devastating hurricanes.
Here are two additional points to consider that may not have been emphasized in the email below by James Shaft…
The 5’ current height and the proposed 11’ is easily misleading because you need to compare the current regulation of 5’ a measured from the dock surface to the proposed 11’ from Mean High Water Line which basically puts the piling height at approximately 8’ above the dock surface. Any lift/dock installer will tell you the easiest way to determine Mean High Water is to simply look at where barnacles end on the dock pilings, which is about 3’ beneath most docks on LBK.
It seems that the only opposing argument to raising the 5’ height limit is view obstruction. A change in the regulation will not change the fact that every current lift meeting current regulation provides an obstructed view to both the owner and neighbor. In reality, the amount of obstructed view is largely based on the height size of boat (skiff vs cabin cruiser) not the lift height. If the proposed regulation update is rejected based on view obstruction, then at what point does the same argument restrict the kind of boat (in height) is allowable.
Bottom line – The P&Z voted 6 to 1 in favor after careful review and resident input. The town staff supports an ordinance change. Sea level rise and storm severity is real. This regulation change primarily only affects owners of canal and bay front properties – most of which have boat lifts. Thank You for your consideration.
Steve Weyl
Longboat Key
Concerns Regarding Proposed Boat Lift Pole Height Increase
To: Longboat Key Commission
On behalf of the boat owners at Lands End, I would encourage the Town Commission to adopt the revisions to the boat lift ordinance as proposed by P&Z.
The current 5-foot lift restriction (the lowest in the region) led directly to the loss and damage of many boats during last year’s hurricanes when we experienced a 7 foot storm surge. Unfortunately, with climate change and rising sea levels, storms of this magnitude may well be the “new normal” rather than freak 500 year events. While there are no guarantees, hopefully an 11 foot height limit on lift pilings will protect boats against most storm events. I would like to respond to some the issues raised by opponents of the ordinance.
Why now? For many of us who need to rebuild boat lifts, the process is on hold pending the outcome of the proposed ordinance. In the meantime, our boats are unusable and racking up expensive storage fees elsewhere. There has been ample opportunity for the public to weigh in on this issue—2 P&Z hearings and at least 2 Commission hearings. There was ample discussion and consideration of the visual impact at these hearings. Many citizens spoke in favor of raising the height at these hearings… but to my knowledge, no one bothered to show up and speak in opposition. Town staff has exhaustively researched the issue and made an excellent presentation of the pros and cons.
Visual Impact. This concern is vastly overstated. Raising the lift height will have minimal visual impact compared to the current code. 4 lift pilings per house is hardly a forest. Most of the time, the pilings will be hidden by the boat itself. And the property most significantly impacted will be that of the boat owner himself.
Boat Height. It takes time to raise and lower boats. Most owners will keep their boat at level which is well below the maximum lift height except when a storm is approaching. Thus 99% of the time the visual impact of the boat shouldn’t be much different than under the current ordinance. If need be, the ordinance could be worded to discourage maximum lifting except in anticipation of storms, but frankly I think that’s unnecessary.
Why 11 feet? There is no magic number that will protect against all storms. Clearly 7 feet would have been too low during Helene. On the other hand, if Milton had hit with a 15 foot surge as initially feared, 11 feet wouldn’t have been nearly enough. Then again, 15 feet would have destroyed most of the island. Staff and P&Z carefully weighed the need for storm protection against visual impact and I believe they struck the correct balance.
Boat should be better secured. At Lands End, 4 boats were lost or damaged. My boat was not secured on the lift and floated harmlessly onto my neighbors yard (see the Observer picture… my boat is now the poster child). On the other hand, two of my neighbors boats were tied onto their lifts—one sunk and the other disappeared. There is no right answer here. If a boat is strapped to a lift, and the water goes high enough, one of two things will happen: either the boat will fill with seawater and be effectively destroyed along with the lift, OR the uplift of the boat will pull the lift pilings out of the sand with equally catastrophic results. (A boat with an 8,000 pound displacement pushes down and displaces 8,000 pounds of water. If the boat is strapped, the reverse will occur as water rises. The boat will pull up with 8,000 pounds of force which is more than enough to pull pilings out).
Boat Loses. Having a boat is a significant reason many of choose to live on the water. It’s big part of Longboat’s appeal. Yet today, boats are exceedingly expensive. A new 25 foot boat will cost at least $150,000 and larger boats can easily run into the 7 figure range. Insurance will be more expensive and difficult to obtain in the future. The ordinance will help protect our investment in boats.
James G. Haft
Longboat Key
Concerns Regarding Proposed Boat Lift Pole Height Increase
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Staff and P&Z went back & forth on NAVD and MHW before choosing the latter. I agree that MHW is the better choice for a few reasons:
NAVD is a fixed elevation point on earth. MHW will change as sea levels rise.
The “barnacle line” is a very good approximation of MHW. This is what contractors typically go by. For that reason, both Atkins and Duncan Seawall recommended MHW.
NAVD would require a survey, maybe even two (before & after), at considerable expense (couple thousand or so) to an owner. That’s a lot on a $15,000 boat lift job. Plus the delay to get a survey with most surveyors backed up until the next century.
Jim Haft
Longboat Key
Concerns Regarding Proposed Boat Lift Pole Height Increase
To: Jim Haft
Thought I was going crazy but I agree with you. One issue though is whether to do away with NAVD measurement so everything is MHWL. Makes sense but wouldn’t want a delay?
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Comments Regarding Revised Boat Lift Height Proposal
To: Longboat Key Commission
We would like to make some comments in regard to the upcoming Commission meeting and agenda item related to the height of boat lifts.
Given the significant impact this proposed change would have on the Key, it seems important that the Commission not rush into a change but instead allow sufficient time for careful consideration of the issues involved.
Over the years Longboat Key has prided itself on assuring that property owners and the Key’s views were protected by passing building height and other restrictions. These protective measures were brought about through careful consideration of often conflicting needs. The St. Regis serves as a prime example of discussion and compromise resulting in an outcome that helped maintain Longboat’s standards.
The current proposed boat lift height change would greatly affect the look of the Key and directly impact waterfront properties and property owners. Many residents have not yet had time to digest the proposal recently approved by the Planning Board, complicated by the fact that many of those that will be impacted remain distracted with post storm home restoration.
The current proposal recommends changing the allowable height of a boat lift from 5 feet above a specific surface to 11 feet above mean high water. This is a large change, and notably now would exclude guides and motors from the height restriction. Certainly boats placed on lifts this high would block the view of many residents. The lifted boats will affect neighboring properties, not just the lift owner’s property, as views up and down the waterfront will also be significantly impacted.
The selection of the new height proposed warrants further discussion. Why should Longboat go this high? What are the pros and cons, including the risks associated with hurricane winds on boats lifted to these heights? Does this increase the hazard potential to neighboring properties?
A reasonable discussion might include raising the height from five to seven feet, with the lifted height of boats being restricted to the five feet on a normal basis and permitted to be elevated during storm conditions. It seems questionable that any new height limits should be based on outlier conditions or that such heights should be allowed in non-storm times.
Clearly many boats, and many homes, were damaged from the extreme surge and wind conditions of this year’s hurricane season. The height of a lifted boat is one factor to consider in terms of this boat damage, but other factors should be recognized as well. These other factors include ones that are under an owner’s control such as properly securing a vessel during storm warnings, utilizing appropriate strength hurricane straps, and maintaining lifts of proper strength.
We are sympathetic with all our neighbors who suffered lost or damaged boats, and lost or damaged homes. Yet we firmly believe that approving the proposal as currently worded in response to these losses is not the appropriate solution. We look forward to an active discussion at the upcoming Town Meeting.
Kip and Cathy Becker
Longboat Key
Feb. 18 Commission Meeting
To: William Russell
I just checked the agenda as well and don’t see it on there either. I did make the request on 29 January, 2025 which I believe was within the time frame requested for notice (see attached photo but no have been having issues with texting or the request might have been forgotten accidentally. I have copied the Interim City Manager and City Auditor and Clerk so they are aware of the request. I am confident we will get this straightened out.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Feb 18 Commission Meeting
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Can you please confirm as to whether SHA is one of the scheduled presentations on this agenda? I would appreciate it. Thank you.
William Russell
Sarasota Housing
More Sound Code comments
To: Sarasota City Commission
This is my Apple Watch warning message that I’ve been receiving increasingly frequently around downtown. My watch doesn’t warn until the db=80 or above, but lower levels are also dangerous.
This is not the live message I’ve received, because I haven’t figured out how to capture that during the brief time it is displayed on my watch in order to show you . But it is an example of the message.
As I’ve communicated previously, the problem is about the loudness, the duration, and the frequency, especially when it happens during late hours. The loudness, the duration, and the frequency are dangerous regardless of the time of day.
Please take this information into consideration in your direction to city staff regarding final wording for the new sound ordinance and your ultimate vote. Please give us a sound ordinance that provides for lower db 24/7, using both the plainly audible and the db measurements as tools for the enforcement staff.
Please establish a sound code enforcement group on duty throughout the day and into the late night hours and task the city manager to direct staff to enforce the new code fairly but aggressively. Thank you for your consideration.
Shirl Gauthier
Sarasota
More Sound Code comments
To: Shirl Gauthier
Thank you for the information! I do appreciate it! I’ve copied the City Attorney’s on this as they are drafting the ordinance.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
