Palmetto City Commission Approves 4-1 Development Adjacent to Snead Island

Planned development just beore the Humpback Bridge

PALMETTO – The Palmetto City Commission approved 4-1 with Brian Willaims opposing a new development located on the south side of 10^th Street on the way to Snead Island. Villa por la Marina will consist of 12 ”Key West style“ single family units 35 feet in height and 5 feet apart. The 1.66 acre property was formerly Pelican Bay, condos that some considered dilapidated.

The units are considered single family residences, but they share a common stairway off a patio area connecting the units. Matt Morris of Morris Engineering, engineer for applicant, stated that the intent is to have a condo plat on the units rather than a fee simple regular subdivision plat they didn’t want to connect the units in order to give it the single family look. The units will be elevated with the living area upstairs and a carport underneath.

The only resident to speak at the meeting was Dr. Amy Griswold, whose property is next door to the planned development. Her only concerns were that the buildings not obstruct her view.

”The thing that sets this neighborhood apart is the beautiful view,“ she said. ”I really don’t have a problem with anything else – I think the (houses) look nice. It’s got to be better than what was there before.“

Staff reduced the number of units from 18 to 12 and recommended a 35 foot setback on all sides. The PCC found that stipulation to be excessive and approved the development with a 15-foot setback from the west, 15 feet from 10^th Street and 20 feet from 11^th Street Court West. The project is considered compatible with the general area.

Commissioner Alan Zirkelbach voiced concerns about a driveway that was to be added in addition to the 11^th Street Court West access. The developer and commission compromised, Manfull agreed to omit the driveway if he could have more leeway on the setback. The project would require the widening of 11th Street Court West to 22 feet.

”A lot of people come off that bridge and they aren’t paying attention due to their heightened elevation,“ said Zirkelbach. ”With traffic coming from Cut’s Edge Marina, I’m just not comfortable with another driveway.“

The property is located in the coastal high hazard area, but was previously zoned as a planned development. The developer, Bill Manfull, plans to start with only one or two units. If the plan fails, the property will automatically revert to RES-4, meaning 4 units per acre. Commissioner Brian Williams opposed the measure because he felt it should revert back to RES-3, or 7,500 feet lots, which the staff erroneously rated as the RES-4.