BRADENTON – Local members of the state legislature gathered in Bradenton Thursday to discuss priorities ahead of the upcoming annual 60-day legislative session in Tallahassee. Rep. Will Robinson (R-Bradenton) surprised local officials when he previewed plans to introduce legislation that would allow Manatee County to approve its own building permits on county-owned land on Anna Maria Island.
Robinson had unanimous support from other members of the state delegation, including Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) Rep. Mike Beltran (R-Manatee/Pinellas) and Rep. Tommy Gregory (R-Manatee). Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes have long feuded with Holmes Beach Officials, who have taken steps to reduce public parking following a litany of complaints from residents.
If signed into law, the legislation would pave the way for the county to build a multi-level public parking garage in Holmes Beach. City height restrictions currently prohibit such a structure. Citing a need for more access to the beach by inland residents, officials went one step further, even suggesting the possibility of consolidating the three island cities (Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Anna Maria) into one government.
"I am disappointed at the position that (Rep. Robinson) has taken regarding preempting city ordinances to construct a parking garage in a coastal community when the city currently and historically has always exceeded the number of parking spaces required for state-funded beach nourishment and interlocal agreements with the county," Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth told TBT via email on Thursday. "As a mayor in his district, I would have appreciated Mr. Robinson to have, at the very least, given notice prior to getting out of his lane in making such a bold move. At this point in time I shouldn’t be surprised about anything that comes from this district."
The irony in an all-Republican delegation moving to imperil small government didn't seem lost on the island city mayor.
"I believe this is probably the biggest overstep and attack on home rule yet," wrote Titsworth. "Holmes Beach has been incorporated for over 70 years. We are a vibrant and prosperous city. Our population continues to grow. Our city is responsible for the majority of the contributions to the tourist development tax in the county and has contributed over 30 million dollars since its inception. We continue to improve roads, sidewalks, and storm infrastructure and continue to make public safety a number one goal."
The mayor said she hoped Rep. Robinson would meet with his island constituents before making such a rash move.
