SRIA Board Approves Tower Concept, Determines Rental Chair Areas
The Santa Rosa Island Authority at their September 23 full board meeting heard from attorneys representing Tiffany’s and The Dock about beach-chair and umbrella operations on Casino Beach. At issue was the “authorized operating area” for Tiffany’s to preset two rows of chairs; and whether the Dock or its sublessee, Sandy Toes, may place rentals on public beach areas adjacent to its leasehold.
After multiple failed attempts move the item to a later date or leave Tiffany’s operating area intact, the board voted, 5 to 1 with Elected Board Member Jeremy Johnson dissenting, that Tiffany’s has exclusive rights to operate two preset rows from the eastern side of their property line all the way to the pier, north of the lifeguard stands. Tiffany’s also has exclusive rights to presets on Casino Beach. That does not preclude The Dock from renting chairs to customers on a walk-up basis.
Heather Maxwell, the SRIA board counsel pointed to an SRIA Policy which governs Casino Beach vending and reminded the Board that they retain discretion to establish or revise policies to serve public safety, resident interests, and the island’s economy.
The Board ratified conceptual approval for H&S Development’s 17 story residential condo between the current Hampton Inn and Crab’s restaurant. The proposed development, according to SMP architect Philip Partington, will include two levels for parking, a fitness center and swimming pool, plus 16 residential condominiums. The project requires no zoning variances. Partington also noted that short term rentals will be prohibited. After conceptual approval, the project will be subject to developmental review by multiple county, state and federal permitting agencies, including a further review to guarantee it meets the SRIA floodplain requirements.
The SRIA Board honored retiring Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood with a proclamation recognizing his commitment and accomplishments. Former SRIA Public Safety Director Bob West stating that during his and Dave’s tenure, Pensacola Beach was transformed from one of the nation’s most dangerous beaches in the Country into a safer shoreline through sustained government investment, lifeguard training, and leadership.
The Board approved, 5 to 1, a swimming pool side setback encroachment request at 1210 Ariola Drive. Staff noted that the Land Development Code of notifying adjacent neighbors had been met, and no objections were received. The dissenting vote came from District 4 Appointee Marc Marrocco who raised broader concerns about short term rentals and pool-related noise affecting full-time residents. Marrocco stated the full time leaseholders across the street should have been asked for comment due to potential impact to their quality of life. The board agreed that the notification policy questions should be brought up for future consideration.
SRIA Director of Finance Vickie Johnson’s report was accepted unanimously. The lease fee collections for July were: residential $59,626; condo $929,355; and commercial lease fees $920,279.
Executive Director Mike Burns said he will be adding first responders and public works activity to his report. He updated the Board about the Pensacola Beach Gateway Project noting that the demolition of the old toll booth will likely be closer to Thanksgiving.
During the Board Member’s Forum, District 1 Appointee Bruce Childers shared his desire to form a committee to include residents to look at landscaping and beautification needs in the entrance to Pensacola Beach.
Additionally, Childers asked that staff devise a way to reserve the SRIA parking lot on SRIA meeting days so the public would have a place to park. He noted that it is filled with island employees’ cars, while SRIA meeting attendees must park elsewhere.
In response to the SRIA’s failure to provide the public with use of audio-visual presentation aids during the Public Forum, Director Burns stated that the presentation must be submitted to the staff a week prior to the meeting to ensure the presentation can be scanned for viruses.
At Marrocco’s request, the SRIA Mission Statement review will be added to an upcoming meeting agenda. His goal is to have the statement better reflect its dual role serving residents and visitors alike.
In other business:
* Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce Interim CEO Christine Brewster reported 1,341 visitors were greeted at the Beach Visitor Information Center during August. Guests from Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Florida topped the list—and a notable contingent from the United Kingdom and Germany.
* Nine advertising firms responded to a request for proposals to serve as the SRIA’s ad agency with Hummingbird Ideas earning the top spot and selection committee’s recommendation. The SRIA Board voted unanimously to hire Hummingbird with Board member Bruce Childers praising the firm’s creative branding concept.
* The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk restrooms are substantially complete, pending final punch-list items, said Hilary Bauer in her engineer’s report.
* Pensacola Beach was named the No. 1 wheelchair-accessible vacation destination in the United States, earning an impressive score of 91.3 out of 100. The study used data from travel sites including Hotels.com and Tripadvisor to evaluate destinations across eight weighted factors, including wheelchair-accessible hotels, tours, trails, dining options and public facilities.
The SRIA Committees Wednesday, October 14. The meetings, which begin at 5 p.m. are open to the public for in-person attendance at #1 Via de Luna or remote attendance by dialing 1-301-715-8592. The meeting ID is 425 234 4682 and password is 2257.
Agendas and documents are posted at www.sria-fla.com.