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.
Ohana status report
To: Longboat Key Town Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons
This seems to be an opportune time to review alternatives which could restore beach access around the property and have a win/win situation for the owners and our citizens.
Paul Karon
Longboat Key
Ohana status report
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Thanks Sarah. There’s been a building permit submitted for repair of the seawall. No permits have been submitted for repairs at the original house. We have reached out to their fence contractor to have the temporary safety fencing extended further seaward to help provide more of a barrier to the elevation drop-off on the backside of the seawall.
Allen Parsons
Director of Planning and Zoning
Town of Longboat Key
Ohana status report
To: Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons
Can you give us a current report on the damage repair at Ohana? Is the beachfront exposed rebar a safety concern that needs to be resolved? Has a permit been pulled to repair or restore the original house? Any info you can share will be appreciated.
Sarah Karon
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Turtles
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Thanks Sarah. FYI- Code Enforcement had been in contact with the contractor about the situation below and the silt fence has been relocated to the outside of that hole (photos taken this morning immediately below). Staff will continue to follow-up on every reported concern and will continue to follow-up proactively as part of both building inspections and during the regular turtle patrols. We want to encourage anyone who has reported concerns to contact the Town’s Code Enforcement directly (an email to the codeenforcement@longboatkey.org email address will be sent to both of the Town’s Code Enforcement officers).
We’ll also continue to share with property owners and contractors options like using hay bales to help turtles avoid hazardous conditions. Recent guidance from FWC has highlighted this a straightforward option. On the suggestion about lights illuminating the beach and the angle of view from ATV’s, Code Enforcement does walk the beach and does regularly view from angles other than the lower-scale ATV. The standard in the Town’s Turtle Protection ordinance speaks to lights that “visible from the beach,” which is defined as “Visible to a person standing on any portion of the beach.” The best suggestion is for anyone who has concerns about a particular light, to contact Code Enforcement directly. All concerns are followed-up on. We really appreciate the many eyes and ears we have in the concerned citizens who help safeguard nesting turtles and hatchlings.
Allen Parsons
Director of Planning and Zoning
Town of Longboat Key
Turtles
To: Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons
Are we doing enough to inform all of our (many) beachside construction crews about hazards to sea turtles? See below for Terri’s recent photos — can your teams be sure the contractors remove these hazards as soon as possible?
Also: would it be possible for the Town to offer hay bales to block turtle access where needed? We could charge for them, whatever is necessary, but apparently there are many beachside lots where pools are open and accessible along with construction materials, tools and debris.
Turtlewatch is seeing a high degree of nesting activity so time is of the essence here. I will be happy to make some calls to property owners myself if it would be helpful.
It’s possible that our code enforcement officers might be missing some of the lighting hazards that are still present for turtles. Turtlewatch folks think the visual angle of monitoring from atop ATVs is preventing officers from seeing the “turtle-level” perspective. Cyndi and Terri are cc’ed here, perhaps they will provide more specifics as to locations where it would be worthwhile for officers to “dismount” and take a more thorough look?
Sarah Karon
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Turtles
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
FYI. — not the half moon property. Will send those photos shortly.
Terri Driver
Longboat Key
Turtles
To: Longboat Key Code Enforcement Officer David Woods
Can something be done about this ASAP?
Terri Driver
Longboat Key
Street Lights
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
All of the street lights in Buttonwood have not worked for over three weeks. The commercial development pulled the wires from the transformer. There are only two occupied residences on Longview and at the end of Buttonwood only 3 occupied residences. It is not a good environment. Public Works has made a request, but no action. Perhaps you can move the issue to a higher level?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Ohana seawall
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Sarah this is some of the exposed rebar in front of the seawall at ohana. Picture taken at lower tide. If beachgoers are discouraged from walking on top, then we should work with owners to remove buried and dangerous debris that is in front of the seawall where beachgoers are forced to walk.
Maureen Merrigan
Longboat Key North Board
Noise control, Jewfish sandbar
To: Longboat Key Town Attorney Maggie Mooney and Interim Police Chief Frank Rubino
Jim Haft and I are wondering what it would take to post some informational signs about noise limits and related fines in the “party boat” areas on LBK North End. Jim says there can be hundreds of boats in the area on busy days and a small percentage blast their stereos to the max.
Neighbors very much appreciate the increased policing in their area but they report that the noise resumes whenever officers are not present. Perhaps some signs would make a difference? Many boaters don’t know the noise ordinance exists. Can you let us know what might be possible?
Sarah Karon
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Gulfside Solution
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Thanks for being on the LBK North call this afternoon. You mentioned Gulfside today, and I just read about the canal dredging project and the 80/20 split for the cost – which is nothing more than shouldering most of the cost on the property owners who will benefit the most. I own 2 canal front properties – and I agree with this approach 100% – it really is an equitable way to pay for this.
Why wouldn’t the same concept apply to the 16 property owners on Gulfside? The property values on Gulfside will arguably be worth significantly more if groins are installed. (Gulfside is currently vulnerable to storms. I have to believe any real estate appraisal/professional would substantiate and monetize the increase in value). I bet if you take the increase in value divided by the cost of the groins – the value increase would outrun the total project cost! That said, I’m not sure why the 80/20 rule wouldn’t be apply here. Thoughts? Thanks for your consideration.
Steve Weyl
Longboat Key
Gulfside Solution
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Congratulations on becoming a commissioner for District 5. I’d like to share a recent email sent to all the commissioners in November 2023. In full disclosure, I had the gulf front property at 6489 Gulfside in contract last year and chose to bail from the contract as I felt it would be irresponsible to build on the highest erosion location on LBK. Now there is a $17 million spec home that is under construction and for sale at 6489 Gulfside. I am sure that the developer is hoping that the LBK taxpayers will insure their profit.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and representation of the majority.
Hello LBK Leadership – As a resident of LBK, I’d like to share my thoughts on Gulfside Road and perhaps a reasonable path forward for this troublesome area. Hurricane Idalia certainly affected this strip of 16.
Steve Weyl
Longboat Key
Gulfside Solution
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
As a resident of LBK, I’d like to share my thoughts on Gulfside Road and perhaps a reasonable path forward for this troublesome area. Hurricane Idalia certainly affected this strip of 16 properties, exposing continuous rows of old seawalls, but this should not be viewed as a new problem. These seawalls date back a half century – well before sea rise concern and put in place for a reason. (see enclosed power point and dating of Ohanna seawall) My fear is that taxpayers are going to be asked to bail out 16 owners of multi-million-dollar properties who made a choice to live/build in an area that has historically endured erosions.
Here are some bullet points that may help guide your future decisions on what to do with Gulfside Road as well as Ohanna.
In a public meeting held June of 2022, one of the LBK commissioners expressed my exact concerns regarding potential unfairness of taxpayer funding for the 16 properties. I know there is some support for this sentiment already.
The Ohanna seawall roadblock is unfortunate from a beach walker standpoint, but I believe this affects very few people, which includes me. Yes, I’d like to continue walking south of Ohanna like I used to, but there is still a very good amount of beach to walk north of Ohanna and I think the vocal minority has gone through their “grieving process” and unhappily accepts the laws regarding beachfront property ownership.
In a candid conversation with the coastal engineer who had input on the enclosed Power Point, he mentioned on a phone call that he did not know how successful the groins would be in holding the sand. He was confident that this area would be a challenge given how far the groins would jet out from Ohanna wall (200’ ++) creating a very unnatural peninsula. He also questioned whether FDEP would actually allow such a project that would extend out that far into the gulf.
If the groins are installed taxpayers will be strapped with maintaining the renourishment at a potentially steep and unknown cost. Note – All of the cost estimates were done prior to recent inflation spikes.
Now that Hurricane Idalia has exposed seawalls and other hard structure – I believe LBK code requires property owners to maintain seawalls (seawalls shall be maintained plumb and in good repair, without visible deterioration, spalling of concrete, exposed reinforcements, ground holes, or other damage). Why not enforce current municipal code? This would also give property owners an opportunity to protect their properties and exhibit their willingness to do so without relying on others (taxpayers) to bail them out.
Casey Key Example:
Use Casey Key as a guideline. Very exclusive beachfront homes protected by natural rocks at homeowner expense. It does not seem to influence property values nor a desire to build beachfront. In fact, new home construction is built to withstand sea rise and as time goes on, people will build with the expectation of erosion and storm surge. I believe that LBK can make an investment and effort to help the 16 property owners with getting the necessary clearance to reinforce their properties. This might not be a perfect solution, but it does not strap taxpayers to a very questionable and expensive project.
In summary – Gulfside erosion is not a new problem as is evident with half century old seawalls. The owners of these properties are/were aware of the challenges in this area (or at least should have been aware with some due diligence) and LBK can empower these homeowners by getting the necessary clearance to reinforce their properties, enhance the aesthetics, and help maintain property values. Taxpayers should not be asked to bail out 16 homeowners that have current property values of $4 million (land only) to as much as $17 million (i.e. spec home currently being built at 6489 Gufside Rd) for an expensive experimental project that will require constant funding. In the best interest of the majority of LBK homeowners, wouldn’t it make sense to at least explore and try this approach first before committing to such a large investment – what do we have to lose? Thank You for reading this.
Steve Weyl
Longboat Key
Noise control, Jewfish sandbar
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
As Sarah points out, it’s unlikely that boaters are aware of our noise ordinance. Appropriate signage would alert boaters to the ordinance and the possibility of fines. Currently, the only way they become aware is when they receive a warning from our police. Signage works 24/7 and will hopefully reduce the need for continuous enforcement by our marine patrols. I would suggest 3 or 4 signs on the JFK sandbar itself, and 1 or 2 on Greer Island as well.
FS 327.40 and 327.41 provide for FWC to issue permits for waterway signage. However, the intent of the statues is primarily aimed at restricting municipalities from unilaterally erecting signage that would regulate speeds and navigation, create restricted boating areas, and the like. The FWC signage application form contemplates just that. If we were to draft our application as a request for an “informational sign” (informing people of the existence of our noise ordinance), I believe the likelihood of approval would be much greater. Thank you all for your attention to this issue.
Jim Haft
Longboat Key
Noise control, Jewfish sandbar
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Thank you for reaching out and sharing these concerns. We certainly recognize the challenges created by the high volume of boaters in the North End area, particularly on busy weekends, and appreciate the feedback from the neighbors.
After discussing with Mr. Tipton, we believe that to fully explore the feasibility, locations, jurisdictional considerations, and any permitting requirements, we should schedule a meeting to discuss this further. Posting informational signs about the noise ordinance may be a helpful step in raising awareness and encouraging compliance among boaters.
We recommend including our Public Works Director, Charlie Mopps, and a representative from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), considering their authority over the waterways and potential role in enforcing and placing such signage.
Please let me know your availability, and we will coordinate a meeting to move this conversation forward.
Frank Rubino
Interim Chief of Police
Longboat Key Police Department
Emergency Management Bill Seeks to Eliminate More Home Rule on Development
To: Florida Representative Andrew Parker
That would be great. Thanks.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Emergency Management Bill Seeks to Eliminate More Home Rule on Development
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
The bill has not yet been signed by the Governor or presented to him. I don’t particularly know what the plan in place for doing so is yet. While session is still active, the Legislature narrowed the scope of bills being considered to strictly budget related items. SB 180 will either go into law as is or not at all. Want to plan for the 26th? Say 10 o’clock?
Andrew Parker
Rep. Florida
Emergency Management Bill Seeks to Eliminate More Home Rule on Development
To: Florida Representative Andrew Parker
No problem, Andrew. Do you know if the Governor has signed the bill or plans to? If not, could there be an opportunity to withdraw the bill. If the bill is signed as is, we would be looking to next session to permit hurricane-damaged communities to amend their zoning laws in ways (1) unrelated to storm damage (in our case, to restrict the width of a boat and its dock from extending too far into our narrow canals) or (2) in ways directly improving the resiliency of structures (in our case, to require rebuilt structures to include 2 feet of additional freeboard, to minimize flooding risk to occupied areas). I am available any day after June 19 for a call.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Emergency Management Bill Seeks to Eliminate More Home Rule on Development
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
I owe you a big apology. We were called back up to Tallahassee last week for budget conference and setting a time up for you and the Rep totally slipped my mind. I am sorry. Would you still like to chat with her about the bill? What days over the next two weeks may be good for you?
Andrew Parker
Rep. Florida
Emergency Management Bill Seeks to Eliminate More Home Rule on Development
To: Florida Representative Andrew Parker
Thanks for reaching out. I believe the issues I raised are contained in amendments introduced by Representative MacFarland to SB 180 which, if I’m not mistaken, was passed but not yet signed by the Governor. While some wide ranging objections have been posed by others to the moratoria on development changes called for by the amended bill, we on Longboat Key have struggled with the perhaps unintended and undesirable consequences of the initial versions of these restrictions, enacted after Hurricane Ian.
I would be happy to share these thoughts with the Representative, by phone or otherwise, whenever she has a free moment. Next week works for me, especially if there is a chance of blunting the effect of some of the unintended consequences of S 180 mentioned above before this session ends.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Emergency Management Bill Seeks to Eliminate More Home Rule on Development
To: Kenneth Schneier
Subject: RE: Amendment to Emergency Management Bill Seeks to Eliminate More Home Rule on Development – The Bradenton Times
To: Longboat Key Town Mayor Ken Schneier
I can try to set some time up for y’all and the Rep to chat if you would like. I know we do have to plan her visit to the Commission for a post session update. Maybe both can serve as one.
Session is of course still going on but it is solely about the budget now as the presiding officers are negotiating and then the full chambers will hopefully go into budget conference soon.
Let me know what y’all would like to do. Have a great weekend, sir!
Andrew Parker
Legislative Aide to Representative Fiona McFarland
District 73
Emergency Management Bill Seeks to Eliminate More Home Rule on Development
To: Rep. Legislative Aid Andrew Parker
I had read about this bill, which seemed like a further/permanent extension of the already extended moratorium for any development restrictions on Longboat. Since this has blocked us in the past from instituting safety and resilience measures (such as the boat/dock width limit and the freeboard height requirement to improve flood control), can we try for exceptions to changes like these that don’t impede reconstruction but are positive developments? Especially as the sponsor is our Fiona?
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Boating Hazard
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Hi Gary, hope all is good with you guys. We were taking a boat ride this past weekend and noticed the broken old fishing reef marker pole still sticking up a foot or so above the water off Yardarm about a hundred yards off the sea wall. There is an orange life vest tied to it which is helpful in the daytime but not so much at night. Should we call the CG? Have a good Summer.
Bob Gault
Longboat Key
Waste Management follow up
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Brenna Haggar, from Waste Management, wanted me to pass along how lovely it was to meet you all on Monday, and to let you know she looks forward to serving Longboat Key as our WM representative.
She also mentioned to me that you had asked about scheduling an e-waste/HHW collection event. We are working on this and will have an update soon with proposed dates. I will also make sure to work with our communications team to get the word out, once we solidify plans.
If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Julie Anderson
Public Works Office Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Waste Management follow up
To: Longboat Key Public Works Office Manager Julie Anderson
Julie, that’s fabulous news. Thank you for your quick response.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Waste Management follow up
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Brenna Haggar, from Waste Management, wanted me to pass along how lovely it was to meet you all on Monday, and to let you know she looks forward to serving Longboat Key as our WM representative.
She also mentioned to me that you had asked about scheduling an e-waste/HHW collection event. We are working on this and will have an update soon with proposed dates. I will also make sure to work with our communications team to get the word out, once we solidify plans.
If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Can you attend joint meeting June 18?
Julie Anderson
Public Works Office Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Can you attend joint meeting June 18?
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
In today’s Longboat Key North Zoom meeting, Tal let us know that the Manatee Commissioners will be meeting with John Chappie and his team to plan for the Fourth of July holiday, especially regarding policing on land and water. Bradenton Beach has declared a temporary state of emergency for that holiday weekend, I assume to enable special rules and enforcement.
Tip and Frank, might you or someone from your teams be able to attend the meeting — set for 1 p.m. on June 18 in the Manatee County chambers? (Tal please confirm I have date/time right).
Jim Haft will be attending, and he mentioned it would be good if someone from the Manatee Sheriff’s team would be present as well (perhaps that is already in the works).
From what I am hearing, it sounds like Longboat’s crowded Memorial Day weekend was a direct result of Coquina Beach parking overflow. Apparently the lot fills up by 8:30 a.m. on busy weekends. Crowds are getting bigger and I know you are already making plans to manage them. Also, I heard that the Chiles Group did not open their lot for parking on Mem Day weekend, rather some enterprising beachgoers took it upon themselves to remove the cones blocking entry. Thank you for working on solutions to manage these crowds, we appreciate you!
Sarah Karon
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Waste Management follow up
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Brenna Haggar, from Waste Management, wanted me to pass along how lovely it was to meet you all on Monday, and to let you know she looks forward to serving Longboat Key as our WM representative.
She also asked that I pass along this clarification regarding a question you had about how the annual price adjustment applied to commercial accounts. This is her response:
I confirmed with our team that the adjustment is applied only to the “(b) Monthly Fee/Unit” column in the “Commercial Collection Service Rates” sheet (highlighted in the attachment).
While this change does impact the “(e) Franchise Fee,” it’s important to note that the adjustment is not applied directly to (e). Instead, (e) is calculated based on the values in both the (b) Monthly Fee/Unit and (d) Disposal Fee columns—so any increase in (b) or (d) will indirectly affect (e).
If you have any follow up questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Julie Anderson
Public Works Office Manager
Town of Longboat Key
To: Longboat Key Planning Board Members
This is once again another reminder that all Town business must be conducted on town-issued email accounts and not personal email accounts. Not only is this requirement codified in adopted Town policy (see attached Resolution 2013-41 ), this policy ensures that each of you do not become a records custodian of your own public records and then have the legal obligation to produce all emails when public records requests are received. The Town Clerk’s office automatically produces all responsive emails sent to/from your town issued accounts. Accordingly, the requirements in Resolution 2013-41 are for your protection. Using your own personal email to conduct Town business exposes your personal email accounts and your devices to Florida’s public records laws.
Further, pursuant to Section 5 of Resolution 2013-41, continued use of personal email accounts may subject individuals from removal from their respective Board. Specifically, the section of the Resolution states:
SECTION 5. Any Board or Committee Member who elects to utilize an e- mail
account other than the Town Business Account regarding official business of that
member’ s board or committee may be subject to removal from office or other sanction as determined by the Town Commission.
Finally, intentional violations of this policy will limit the Town’s obligation to indemnify you in the even the Town gets sued under this law.
It has come to my attention that many of you may have received at least one unsolicited email relating to Town business on your personal email account(s) from a fellow Planning Board member’s personal email account. Please do not respond to any of your fellow Board member(s), and immediately forward the unsolicited email to your Town issued email account.
We can discuss public records obligations and the proper transmittal of emails at next week’s PZB meeting. If there are any individual questions regarding these instruction(s) please contact me directly. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Maggie D. Mooney
Town Attorney
Town of Longboat Key
General Harris
To: Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons
Following up on our conversation today: now that the Town has hired an attorney to pursue foreclosure, the next step will be seeking approval from the special magistrate on June 20. I’m cc-ing Allen Parsons, director of Planning, Zoning and Building, in case you have further questions for him. If the magistrate grants approval, we will hope that you and your neighbors will see some cleanup and improvements to the property once the property’s lender is alerted to current conditions. Thank you for your patience in this unfortunate situation and please keep in touch with questions, progress and feedback.
Sarah Karon
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
General Harris
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
Sara, The last time we spoke about the General Harris home it was up for discussion at the next commissioners’ meeting, as I was told.
As we all know Sandy Wall has passed away from her fall( due to no handrails and all of the junk everywhere she stumbled and fell from her balcony! The youngest son Shawn is still in the home with his girlfriend and the oldest Justin has moved out.
Sandy , passed away on Feb.3rd and the nothing has been done to clean- up the stagnant , scum-filled pool that smells more and more as we get hotter days! There is no will !
The neighbors should not have to suffer and lose their property value because of the lack of cooperation in my point of view. Would you please pass on the latest and I will forward the info. Many Thanks Sara.
Katharine and Warren Girle
Longboat Key
Father’s Day Tribute – Call for Photos
To: Longboat Key Employees
The Town’s Communications Team is preparing a special post to recognize and celebrate the incredible fathers and father figures within our organization as we approach Father’s Day.
If you’d like to be included, we’d be honored to share a photo of you with your children and or anyone you are a father figure to on the Town’s social media platforms.
Please email your photo to the Communications Team by Thursday, June 12 or text photo to 941-356-8187. Thank you for helping us honor the meaningful role you play in your family and our community!
Tina Adams
Fire Administration & Communications Manager/PIO
Town of Longboat Key
Sandcastle today
To: Sarasota City Clerk Lucia Panica
Thank you Ms. Panica for the follow-up information and outline of the process. This is much appreciated.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Sandcastle today
To: Sarasota City Commission
Good evening, Code Compliance has begun the Notice of Violation process as we have not seen any movement or contact from the owners of the property. Josh Spence has let Ms. Gardner know about this next step.
After service of the Notice of Violation has been reached to the parties involved, whether that is through certified mail or posting the property itself, a reinspection date is created to notify the inspector when to go by the property to verify compliance. If the property remains out of compliance and the owner(s) do not make contact with the inspector requesting additional time to comply, photos are taken to further document the violations and a notice of hearing is set. This is established so that the parties involved can be brought in front of the special magistrate until the violations are corrected and the possibility of fines/costs are weighed.
Please let me know if there are any other questions.
Dave Bullock
City Manager
City of Sarasota
Sandcastle today
To: Barbara Gardner
Thanks for the email and update, much appreciated. It is my understanding that Code Enforcement was monitoring the situation and allowed them two weeks to get into compliance. It is also my understanding that that was over two weeks ago but am not sure if the current situation and communications but have copied Staff on this email to respond with an update (and copy me as well).
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Sandcastle today
To: Sarasota Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Even worse condition than a week ago….no progress after 8 months. Lido Key needs help from the city please!
Barbara V Gardner
Longboat Key
