SIESTA KEY – Sarasota County Commissioners passed the proposal of high rise hotels on Siesta Key.
While some residents are thrilled, others are frustrated with the ruling.
Siesta Key residents are divided as four hotels are being proposed on the island. Two would be above the current height and density restrictions.
“This one passes, there will be many more… it will be a very sad state for siesta key,” said resident against high rise hotels, Steve Cavanaugh.
Siesta Key hotels are currently limited to a height of 35 feet, but if the proposal passes, hotels could rise to 80 feet tall. One developer hopes to build a 170 room high rise hotel along Calle Miramar.
“We don’t want to turn into Clearwater beach, I love Clearwater, but it’s not the same as siesta key, siesta key is a small, sleepy, island, we have a very island feel, and that is going to change,” said Cavanaugh.
More hotels, could bring more traffic to the island, a concern for some when it comes to emergency services
“The response time on Siesta key is significantly lower on than the response time in other parts of the county, with respects to ambulances and fire trucks because they cannot get through, based on the horrendous traffic,” said resident against high rise hotels, Patricia Petruff.
While some are against the idea, others say the village needs the hotels.
“We just don’t have enough room in our house, therefore we can put them right out on the key, by the village, close to home, be able to see them on a more regular basis, and when they come they won’t need a car so it won’t create more traffic on the key, and that’ll be an opportunity for all of us to use the amenities that are on the village,” said resident in favor of high rise hotels, Paul Elmes.
Others in favor, say the hotels would better accommodate those visiting the island short term
“I just think this is a nice opportunity, I have a lot of customers that would enjoy that opportunity on siesta versus having to go out to longboat or downtown, still be at the beach but with a funkier vibe but in a nice high end environment,” said resident in favor of high rise hotels, Kimberlie Macdonald.
Sarasota County Commissioners passed the motion in a 3-2 vote.
A 120-room hotel on Old Stickney Point Road will come up for a county commission vote in early November.
